or in other words, Why One Shouldn't Take 3 Kids Under the Age of 5 on Vacation and Expect It to be Vacation. We (read I) decided it would be nice to join my Superhero while he smartened himself by taking some AP Bio class. While he went to class in the morning...
we would fill our days with fun adventure around town. Or so Maba thought. Needless to say, within 10 minutes of checking into our hotel, Superhero was informed by the front desk that a complaint had been received about children running in our room by the room below us. Hmm... new hotel room, you are 5 and 2.... yeah completely unreasonable to imagine that could possibly happen. Anyway, we survive our first night and got some sleep.
Our first adventure was to the Mall of America - or as Thing One affectionately calls it, LegoLand. He was hellbent on getting his hands on some new Lego toys. We arrived cheery enough (see photos below).
And yes, Legos were purchased. We had great fun going on rides and eating lunch - (OH THE JOYS of a Happy Meal). And then decided to go to Underwater Adventures, which absolutely blew Thing One's mind. All the while, mind you that Maba was a nervous wreck trying to make sure Thing Two didn't run off and disappear or break things in stores or didn't get kidnapped or any of the million and one things a Mom could worry about. We navigated our way and didn't have too many problems and actually had fun. And Special K couldn't have been a better babe.
But even the MOA has an effect on her as it does on me. TOO MUCH STIMULATION. She passed out.
Back to pick up Dad and then we went and had a good supper with brother Luke and some ice cream and it was time to go to bed. I think we managed to sleep well the 2nd night too. The next day brought more smiles and new adventures. We had to move rooms and got sent to a single room w/ 2 dbl. beds. But we went to the library in town and checked out a park and even got some shopping in... and then lunchtime. Thing Two had enough. Screams, screams and more screams. I think it all started because I had taken chips out of a bag instead of leaving them in the bag or something like that... or maybe it was due to lack of routine... or late bedtimes... but it was the biggest tantrum I had ever seen from him. When he dumped his milk across the table while screaming, I decided it was best to just leave with some dignity intact and gracefully exit the building (after wedging the screaming child into the stroller and strapping him in). WOW. For all of the college kids in the restaurant, I couldn't imagine a better birth control. No - didn't stop to get pictures of that one. Thought about it, but then thought maybe not.
He did stop screaming. Eventually. And we eventually met up with friends at their club pool and got ready to get in the water. But Thing Two would have NONE of that. No swim diaper, no swimsuit. No water. He is on a complete strike. So I sat in my suit, with K in her suit, with Two in his clothes and watched from the side. Thing One had a blast with his friend AW though unfortunately the day of fun at the pool ended with him ripping the skin off the bottom of his foot, leading to another screaming banshee who was dying a slow painful death. I seriously thought he'd need stitches. Upon second look, it barely bleed. Ah yes, Hollywood, I have some very good dramatic actors for you.
So, we get back and get to enjoy a small hotel room with 2 double beds and a Pack N Play and enough furniture squeezed into just so you could have a card game, store enough clothes for all four seasons and recline in a chair while watching the others in your room manage the obstacle course of wood and suitcases and junk trying to get from a bed to the bathroom. Thing Two was having NOTHING to do with sleep (of course... why not SCREAM in the hotel room at 8 p.m.??!). Finally, Mark gave in and took Two for a ride in the van around town for an hour until he fell asleep. K was asleep, Thing One was falling asleep. I figured, why not me too? So ended the third night. (Did I mention that Mark had HOMEWORK he had to do each night too? Yeah, right).
We started off the day with me desperate for coffee and desperate for another adventure. We (I) decided to go to the zoo with the kids. K was cheery enough and oblivious to the frayed nerves of her parents.
Once again the kids did well, and I managed to have fun too and didn't lose my children or my patience. One of the great things about today was that we got to visit friends for dinner that we don't see enough and got to eat a home-cooked meal. K got to play with her friend Alissa (who is wearing her Mom's prom dress! Love that! Now I know what to do with mine!) And then we went back for another night of torture. I can't recall any more who slept with who, but I did manage to sleep and so did they.
One of the joys of vacation was watching Thing One be a fish in the water. He now loves to swim! This is the kid who screamed during his first sessions of swimming lessons. Screamed. But thanks to patient teachers and sweet high school kids who have taught him swimming... he is now a fish. He will dive in the water and swim and has a blast. I let him have one last swim in the pool the morning of our last day at the hotel. He did great. Thing Two has no desire to get in the water. So he and K sat in the stroller while One swam.
Now we didn't have anywhere to go or anything to do this last day. I had HOURS to fill. I decided to try to find every park in the town. We found lots. We stopped at McD's again and then while driving to the next park, Thing Two and K were OUT. So we drove around to parks and Thing One went out and played by his lonesome while I sat in the van with the sleeping babes. They slept. And slept. And slept. I finally got bored myself and decided we would try the city pool. It felt like such a waste to be sitting in the van on a sunny day. Thing One changed into his suit. I changed into my suit. I got K into her suit. Two still slept. I woke him up. Or should I say I awakened the Banshee. He was not pleased. NO, he didn't not want his swim diaper or suit on. We got into the pool and scoped out a spot. The fish entered the water and K and I sat at the edge of the water while Thing Two cried and cried and screamed and cried. I tried to get sugar into him. That mellowed him out some. He even ventured out of the stroller to where K and I were. He said he was ready to get his suit on (SWEET! I'm thinking). We got his suit on and as soon as his feet hit the water, he screamed, cried, flailed about and spilled his icee push-up all over himself which racheted up the Banshee status to Extreme. All the while, I'm trying to keep K from drowning herself in the pool (she likes to put her face in the water and breathe in) and keep an eye on my fish. And keep Two from destroying anything within his reach. I cannot remember how anymore, but after 30 minutes he finally calmed down and was in control. Yes, everyone was staring at us. Yes, he was miserable. Yes, I was spent. Yes, Thing One was still swimming throughout all of this and having a blast - obliviously. I was ready to leave.
When it was all said and done, a grandma came up to me and said, I just have to tell you, you are the calmest mother. I have four children and you handled him wonderfully. I want you to know I think you are doing a great job.
That made my vacation.
I lived to tell about. And I learned I will not do it again. Not any time soon. And the kids (the ones who can talk) said they had a blast.
I say there's no place like home. And I'm realizing I forgot other tantrums and mishaps, but I'm still pooped, suffice it to say... we are thrilled to have survived.
