1). Don’t ever wear WHITE clothes.
Just don’t. Even though I am out of the sticky-gooey-small-fingers-all-over-me-stage, I should have known better. It’s the law of motherhood. Either they spill or I spill, just simply cause I have little people nearby. Plus if all seats are taken and you are in need of sitting SOMEWHERE, ANYWHERE, you just can’t, in white shorts, that is.
2). Young kids have no spacial social awareness.
I must have said “eyes forward” at least 1000 times so as to direct them from bumping into park-goer after park-goer. Or tripping on someone. Or getting lost. Or getting left behind. They are just too busy taking in all the sights, sounds, and smells.
3). My children tolerate heat and crowds much better than I do.
Like so much better. My husband, too. They really put me to shame. Their excitement and anticipation just completely overrides environmental issues and sweating profusely. Long lines did not deter them, and I just had to make sure Ryan was in between Chris and I so that he did not talk to strangers and ask THEM a million questions since they were a captive audience.
4). My hubs is the master navigator.
Well, true confession, I kinda knew that about Chris already. He managed to get us all over Europe when I was pregnant with Luke. Not once did he ask me or need me to direct us to a subway, train station, airport, or tourist spot. I already told you that crowds and heat and me don’t agree, so thank God we had Chris with a clear head and plan to steer us right. He efficiently got us to where we needed to go as we herded with all the other foolish cows. Without him we would have done one ride and a show and then gone home.
5). Going to a water park all day is body-image therapy.
I do not enjoy walking around all day in my bathing suit. And of course, I had my very modest mom-kini (tankini) on for major cover-up action. Despite all my exercising, the damn perfectionist in me does not like being in a swimsuit. I had a little self-talk that went like this:
- Shut up!!
- Get over it.
- Every woman deals with it.
- Just GO enjoy your precious peeps!!
6). It’s a freaking crime how much SOME parks charge for entry.
You already knew that, because you are way more fun than I am and probably frequent amusement parks much more than I do. It’s a total racket. A conspiracy against bored or travelling families. And that is just the getting through the turnstile part. Then the darlings have to act hungry at least 5 times during our time there. And that costs another $200 bucks minimal. Why can’t they just fast? Drink lots of water, of course to combat the heat. Duh. No dehydration on my watch. Yet, when you see the delight and exhilaration from a thrilling ride you acquiesce. You forget this money is coming from their college fund. And if you are like me, you know you won’t go back for a few years. So you just kiss those dollar signs goodbye with every snack, and stick your fingers in your ears and say “la la la la” to yourself and pretend its not a big deal.
7). Once again, I see that Ryan is VERY blessed to have Luke and Kate as his siblings.
Luke and Kate each brought a friend the day we went to Knott’s Soak City. Teenager Luke could then happily have some independence, I could take the girls some and Chris had Ryan. It’s totally fair right? (We actually took turns with Ryan.) Anyway on the way in to the park, Ryan had a tantrum (details not necessary) and then at the end of the day he was extremely anxious/possessive about his too-large frozen yogurt. He acted up in the Golden Spoon and it was typical PWS behavior around food/treats. I KNOW it was very embarrassing for Luke and Kate. To say the least.
YET, at the end of the day, the three of them were giggling in the backyard together and playing pretend “fireman training” with Ryan, or swinging him on the swing. Giggling, I said.
As if the embarrassing incidents never happened. Like he was just their typical brother. As if he never caused them any major frustration just hours earlier. All smiles. All forgiving. All forgetting. Just loving him.
Rhonda says
Oh the stories I could have told if there was such a thing as blogging when my boys were young! I truly enjoy you bringing those memories back to me, Jessica. Thank you : )
Jan says
Again poignant truthful thought provoking !
Samantha says
Oh, I love it! A window in Patay life. Love your family. Keep writing Jess! ps…I hate crowds and heat too 😉