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I did not tell the kids we were going. I packed the car and left right after they got out of school on Friday. We drove south-west and they kept playing 20 questions trying to determine where we were going. As we got closer to Grandma/Grandpa's house, Logan remembered the pine trees along the highway and figured out our destination.
After dropping our stuff at their house, we went to Anne's and ate dinner. The kids played downstairs and enjoyed meeting some new friends. At bedtime, we went back to Grandma/Grandpa's and watched a little TV and then settled in for the night...that was when our drama began....
First, my little boys would not settle down. The giggled and wrestled and got up numerous times. Finally, everyone fell asleep around 9:30. At 12:30, Caden was up wondering if it was time get up yet. GRRRR.... This pattern continued every hour until 7:30 AM. Nothing worked, no punishment (i tried them all), no begging, pleading, crying. Boy, was this one trip I wished I had packed the Benadryl. He woke Logan up at 2:30 yelling "Its morning!" I put him in bed with Mason and I and he asked me every 45 minutes or so if it was time to get up. I swear visions of duct tape danced through my head.
Finally, I dragged myself out of bed at 7:30, packed up the car and met Aunt Catherine for breakfast. What a life saver she was today. I could not have survived without her. After breakfast, we decided to take the boys to the mall to visit Santa. (Yes, I am a glutton for punishment) In my defense, the birthday party wasn't until 2 and it was on 10 AM. We had to do something! Fortunately, we were at the mall early enough that it wasn't crowded...yet. We stood in line for an hour to see Santa, only for them to tell us that he needed his break (we were next). After much pleading, he saw us and one other family and then took his break. Thank God for small favors.
While we were waiting, Catherine was kind enough to shuttle Caden to the bathroom and walk around while pushing Mason in the stroller. She said he did not stop talking the entire time. What she doesn't realize is that he doesn't talk to you if he doesn't like you. He must really love her :)
The only time she understood him was when he told her which way to turn. Did I mention that he is a pint size back seat (or in this case...stroller) driver?
After Santa, we went to the play area and then to lunch. Food courts suck and that is all I will say on that. We then packed the kids in the car and headed to our final destination. I purposely did not tell them where we were going. They were already spastic, so I did need to heighten thier excitement.
With help from Catherine and GPS we arrived at Elizabeth's birthday party...at JumpCity (think SpaceKidets w/o the video games). There was jumping, running, scream...some spitting (thanks Caden) pizza, cake, popcicles, and more jumping. All of this without naps. They really did great.
Mason was a hit at the party. Evidently he could not climb into the inflatibles. So he found a step stool by the water fountain, moved it where he wanted to go, and climbed in. The other parents thought he was a genius. I know him well. He uses this technique to climb up the shelves in the pantry to reach the cookies. The boys doesn't eat much, but he is singled minded about what he does eat.
Aunt Catherine was kind enough (or took pity on me) and carried him up each of the slides, over and over again. He had a blast and he has no fear, except food. Catherine was struggling to climb and carry him all the while he is chanting "CLIMB, CLIMB, CLIMB...did I mention he is single minded?
After a rainy drive home, I am thankful that the boys are asleep. Sorry this post is so long. I had a lot to vent...I mean say.
Mary
pictures from our trip
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