Last year we got a groupon to a fabulous family park about an hour and a half away - Davis Farmland. We took the kids on a hot, humid day that ended in thunder-storms. They loved it; we loved it - it was a great day.
So this year, I had kept my eye open for another coupon because it is pretty pricey (for us!). We got another 50% off one and headed out a few weeks later. The weather was very similar to the year before - hot, hazy, humid with threatening thunder-showers. But, that's about where the similarities end.
I LOVE family days. I LOVE traditions. I LOVE quality time and making memories. But this day started all wrong from the very beginning. We weren't out the door till 10am and then we had 3 stops to make before actually "starting". Once we were about 15 miles away, I realized I left all the kids water bottles I had chilling in the freezer, in the freezer! Now, I don't know about other kids, but my kids drink water. I mean - all.day.long. Constantly. And they freak and throw tantrums about not having their water.
So, other families might stop and buy bottles of water or just buy drinks there. But no, this family packs snacks and lunches so there is no extra expense. This mother knows that if we buy one water bottle we must buy 3 water bottles and 1 if not 2 water bottles will end up spilled all over 1 or 2 children. Just not worth it to me.
BUT, at about 30 minutes in while they are eating their packed snack of peanut butter crackers (I know, who doesn't want water with their peanut butter crackers?) and they realized mommy has no water for them, all kinds of craziness erupts.
So. when we pull in 2 hrs. later, someone is still upset that we have no water. (At this point, Justin has purchased a gallon of water at a gas station when we gassed up, but guess what? yup, no cups.) It's hot and sticky outside. We're already sweating. Samuel is throwing a fit and arching his body cause he doesn't want to go in the stroller and someone else has to pee.
The day pretty much continues like this off and on with someone remembering they're thirsty (we did find one sippy cup in the back of the van that the 2 littles "share" (ha ha! not willingly) and J and I's 2 coffee mugs are washed to use too. Then someone is sweating or someone wants to go in the jumpy cow but someone else wants to have their face painted. Meanwhile, Justin and I are just SO HOT.
We decide it must be time to eat and find a little shade to sit in while we pull out our loaf of bread, jar of PB and jar of honey (yes, I didn't even pre-make the sandwiches), our apples and newly purchased pampered chef apple corer/slicer. Earlier in the day we were warned by a panicked father to NOT go near the playground because his son had been stung there and he was telling everyone of the dangers. Justin looks at me like - it's summer. There are bees. People get stung. Get over it. But then, guess what? Yes, Sam has taken off his shoes while I am making sandwiches and steps on a bee.
He's crying. Eli's crying cause she wants more and no one is listening to her. Addison's worried about more bees. I'm sweating.
Then, I go to slice the apples while balancing the slicer and apple on my legs (not recommended) and cannot get it to slice all the way through. So what do I do? Turn it upside down and push with my fingers toward the blade, something explicitly warned not to do in the instructions, and proceed to slice the top part of skin off my thumb. Blood comes pouring out of my finger and down my hands as I calmly tell Justin - I think you need to find one of those first aid boxes.
Anyway, the day pretty much proceeds as such with the kids only sleeping about 30 min. in the car on the way home and having pretty much total meltdowns before they get in bed that night at 9pm (because, oh yes, did I mention we went straight to their VBS program that went from 6-8pm?) Yup.
So, as much as I love family days and quality time and making memories, this was one I wanted to cry about (and think I actually did). Justin reminded me several times on the way home that the kids had fun, at least we think they did.
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| on the safari |
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| checking out the turtle |
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| ...and the goose |
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| Eli's the size of a mini horse - who knew? |
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| brothers |
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