Fall break came with one request from Charlotte: a waterpark, and friends to go with. Great Wolf Lodge in Scottsdale covered both, and it turned out the whole place was mid-costume for Howl-O-Ween — a balloon spider the size of a car in the lobby, a scarecrow at the Adventure Park, pumpkins stacked on every shelf. Three days, three very different speeds. The official poster. Rated PG for pizza, goggles, and one balloon spider. ...
Update, October 16: rained out. Sunday turned into a washout and we called it. The plan stays here for next year — the wiener dogs will race again. Munich’s Oktoberfest didn’t happen for me this year, so the Valley’s own is getting the job. The Four Peaks Oktoberfest is back on Tempe Town Lake for its 53rd year, and we’re going Sunday. Sunday is the day to go: admission is free for everyone, the wiener dog races run all afternoon, and Monday is the first day of Fall Break, so nobody has to rush home for bedtime. ...
Two low-key, high-fun days back to back: an evening bouncing off the walls at Sky Zone, then an afternoon at the movies for the new Moana. Abby and Lucia came along for both, and it turned into exactly the kind of stretch that doesn’t need a plan to be a good one. 👪 The Crew Me — driver, ticket-buyer, and designated seat-picker. Charlotte — age 8, equally all-in on trampolines and animated musicals. Abby and Lucia — Charlotte’s friends, and very good company for both a jump session and a matinee. 🤸 Sky Zone First stop: Sky Zone, with a Fuel Zone pit stop for Icee’s before anyone was allowed near the trampolines. ...