Babies Out, Big Kids In

There are no more babies in the Wilson house.  Until last week, Anna and Kara were still sleeping in cribs.  Granted, the cribs had been turned into "toddler beds," but they were still basically the same beds they've had since birth.  Anna especially was getting too big for her little crib mattress, so it was time to upgrade.  Now, they are in their "big kid" beds and loving it.

Newly assembled beds.

First night in the new beds.

It felt like a right of passage and was a little sad for me.  We had to make the decision whether or not to keep Kara's crib and our changing table.  Anna's had been recalled, so we knew we had to trash it.  It was one of the dreaded drop-sides, which didn't actually matter for the toddler bed conversion, since the drop side was removed.  But, that meant we couldn't sell it and we didn't feel comfortable giving it away.  Kara's bed was still in relatively good shape.  It definitely looked the best of the cribs.  And, we had the instructions and all the hardware, something that couldn't be said for the other two.  Ultimately, both the crib and the changing table found their way to a nice home and we both feel good about that decision.

While we are on the subject of beds, sometimes Jack feels a little lonely that he is the only person in our family who doesn't have a friend in his room (his words).  I am sure when he is older he will see this for the huge benefit it is, but in his 4-year-old mind, it is currently just sad.  When we were assembling Anna and Kara's beds he was hoping something would break so that they would have to sleep in his room.  Of course, the beds didn't break.  Jack then asked Thomas if he would have a sleepover with him.  Thomas gave him a vague answer and assumed Jack would forget about it.  That night, we put them to bed at their usual time (around 8).  Thomas was surprised when Jack asked when he would be coming to bed.  Thomas said that if Jack was still awake when he went to bed that maybe he would sleep in his room with him.

We both assumed that Jack would fall asleep and watched the Red Box movie we had rented.  When the movie ended, Thomas went to check on Jack and he was still awake!  He had laid in bed for almost 2 hours, just waiting.  He was so quiet, we had no idea he was awake.  Both Thomas and I felt terrible!  After that, there was no way that Thomas could say no.  So, he put on his pajamas, got his pillow, and went to Jack's room for the night.  Fortunately, Jack has a bunk bed, so there was plenty of room for Thomas to sleep (he took the bottom bunk, Jack took the top).  Jack was so excited, he talked nonstop for about 20 minutes.  Then, they decided to watch the Lego Star Wars cartoon, just to make it an extra special night.  Of course, Anna and Kara had been asleep for hours by this time.

After that, I went to bed.  Thomas said it was close to midnight before Jack finally fell asleep.  He loved having his Dad in there with him.  He just talked and talked.  When my sister's family was here for Christmas, my nephew, JD, slept in the room with Jack.  He lamented that Jack talked too much and JD didn't care for the sleeping arrangements.  After their night together, Thomas can certainly relate!  For all the nights he lays there quietly with no one to talk to, I think it just all builds up.  Regardless, it was very sweet and Thomas did spend the entire night in Jack's room.  Unfortunately, I did not get a picture of the two of them that night.

I hate you...DAMN IT!

This may come as a shock, but things aren't always rosy at the Wilson house.  Let me give you a minute to recover...

Sad but true.  Lately we have been experiencing a lot of bad attitudes, particularly from our temperamental 3-year old.  And, her big sister is seeing all of the (negative) attention garnered from these attitudes and has decided to throw her hat in the ring for title of, "most unpleasant child ever."  Right now, it's a tight race.

Actually, we might be on an upswing.  It's been about a month of misery, but (knock on wood) the behavior seems to be improving.  At least a little.  Before it is a thing of the past, I wanted to share a few of my favorite gems:

Scene, the library.  Lots of people reading, on computers, and generally just enjoying the air-conditioned solace of a quiet place.
Me:  Okay, guys it's time to go.  Finish what you're doing and we'll check out.
Anna: I don't want to go.  YOU'RE THE WORST MOM EVER.  WHEN WE GET HOME, I'M GOING TO HIT YOU.  <takes off her necklace and throws it, necklace lands behind the bookshelves. Lots of crying.  Sucker mom removes necklace, bruising arm in the process.>

Discussion on consequences.

Kara: <now that Anna has calmed down, Kara decides she wants the book Anna has, asks>:  Anna, can we trade?
Anna: No.
Kara:  Will you share with me?
Anna: No.
Kara: <shrieks.  Continues to shriek while we check out books.  Shrieks loudly for the entire drive home.>

That was a good one, because I didn't see it coming.  I also liked it because just about everyone stopped to stare.  Not that I blame them, I would have stared too.  [Also, for the record, I have NEVER said to any of my children that I am going to hit them when we get home.  I am a believer in immediate consequences, if I'm going to hit you, it's happening now!  Shoot, who knows who might read this-- so, in all seriousness, we rarely spank our children.  I can't say never, but I can say I don't remember the last time Thomas or I spanked any of them, despite the current challenges.]

Scene:  The car.  Driving home from a dance lesson, where they are all taking a summer class together.  The kids are talking about Dutch Wonderland.
Kara: Am I tall enough for all the rides now?
Me:  No, but when we go next year, you will be.
Kara: <throws shoe angrily>  DAMN IT.  I don't like that.  You're the worst mom ever!
Me: Why are you getting mad at me?  I didn't create the height requirements?
Kara: <skrieky voice> I'm going to take off my other shoe and throw it at you!
Me:  blah, blah, blah, make a good choice.

Fortunately, she did not throw the other shoe at me.  Although, if she had I am guessing I would be able to remember the last time someone was spanked.

Scene:  Fourth of July.  We are enjoying a nice concert with some friends.  It is almost time for the fireworks to start.  I have been holding Kara pretty much all night.

Me:  Actually, I have no idea what I said, but whatever it was really set her off.
Kara: You shut your mouth! <slaps me in the face.>

Poor Thomas bore the brunt on this one.  He took her off my lap and tried to talk with her.  We didn't want to deprive her of the fireworks, but she continued to kick me and hit him, so there was no choice.  Off to the car they want.  Actually, they ended up behind a tree where she was not able to view the fireworks.  Unfortunately, neither was he.  This one actually makes us laugh.  Not in front of her, of course.  But, it was also incredibly random.  And, can you just imagine what would happen if Thomas did that to me?  Or, me to him?  Or, either of us to one of the kids???  The things you can (sort of) get away with when you're three.

I will spare you (and myself) from all of the "I hate you" speech we are getting lately from Anna.  Also, Kara's new favorite thing to say is damn it.  Preferably, in a loud shriek.  Most often, uttered 10-15 times in a row.  Ahhh, the joys of parenthood!

Jack for the most part has been really good.  He did get mad at me this weekend.  I can't remember what I did, but he told me he was never going to hold my hand again and I was the worst mom ever (if you haven't noticed, that's something all 3 of them like to say).  Fortunately, his bad mood only lasted about 10 minutes.  Then, he said he was joking and he would always hold my hand.  I hope that's true.

On a positive note.  More often than hate, it is "I love you."  Sometimes, it is even "you're my best friend."

Lancaster Trip

After my trip to Newport, we had promised the kids we were going to take them on a vacation.  Thomas was supposed to be attending a course the week following mine and the plan was for us all to go up.  They were very excited about going out of town.  Unfortunately, we learned just a few days before we were supposed to leave that his orders had changed and the trip was cancelled.  But, the kids were still anxiously expecting to go somewhere.  We began a search of what new place we could visit that was 4 hours away or less.  We decided to spend a couple of nights in the Lancaster, PA area.

We drove up on Sunday morning and immediately went to Hershey's Chocolate World.  It was incredibly crowded.  So crowded that it was difficult to maneuver in the store area.  We did the ride, shared some chocolate creations in the food court and then watched the 3D movie.  It was really too crowded to do much else, so we did another round on the ride and then left.  Our next stop was the Turkey Hill experience--a definite junk-food-filled day!  It was a fun place to visit.  Kids 4 and under were free, which was all of our kids, so that was a huge plus.  I am not sure it would have been worth the price to pay for everyone.

After that, we went to our rental house in Lancaster.  Our family is now too big to stay in a regular hotel room, so our choice is to either find a suites hotel (none were available), rent two rooms (too expensive) or find a rental house.  It was a cute 3-bedroom house that overlooked a golf course and the kids loved it!  In fact, staying at the rental house inspired us to cancel our hotel reservation at Disney and find a house to rent there.  We did it once before, when coming to Maryland to househunt, and both experiences were really positive.

The rental house even had a few toys, which the kids loved!

Monday, we visited the outlet malls--including a QVC store.  Who knew such a thing existed?  Our visit there was mainly a shout-out to Thomas' grandmother, who loves QVC.  I myself have spent many an hour viewing the Quacker Factory while visiting her, so it was fun to see the store.  We also went into a Gymboree outlet where they were having a great sale.  So, the shopping was fun.  From there, we went to the visitor's center.  I have never seen so many brochures (and, my hometown is just outside of Orlando).  We decided to have lunch at an Amish restaurant, The Good 'N Plenty.  For those wondering, named after the amount of food, and not the candy.  The place was huge!  We opted for the family dining style and not the menu.  Basically, we had no idea what were were doing.  But, that meant we shared a table with two other families and they just brought food out.  It was a massive amount of food.  It was also really expensive.  I think the kids were free and it was still like $60 (for lunch!).  The food was good (and plentiful).  I am not sure we would go back though.  I think it is probably the kind of place you go to once to say you've gone.  I wish I had taken a picture.  I think that dining room could seat thousands.  I just looked it up--4,000 to be exact.

From there, we took the kids to a Pirate-themed miniature golf experience.  The kids were a little young for that.  Or, a little tired.  Or, overwhelmed.  Whatever they were, it did not go well.  It will be another year or two before we try that again.  Anna broke her club, Jack went into the water more than once and Kara just had a bad attitude.  After that we decided to go back to the house for a break.  Another great thing about having a house, we put them each in a different room, closed the doors and they actually rested.  You can't do that in a hotel!

The highlight of the trip was Dutch Wonderland.  After driving by, we were not impressed.  It looked like part of a strip-mall.  When you buy a ticket, they allow you a 3-hour preview the night before.  After nap, we decided to check it out.  We attempted to have dinner at a Bob Evans' first, but after sitting for (literally) 20-minutes without our order being taken, we realized we were wasting previous time.  So, we left.  On to Dutch Wonderland!  Luckily, our first impression was way off.  The kids loved it;  we loved it;  it was fantastic!  The 3-hours flew by.  We went on almost every ride.  Jack was tall enough for everything and only needed to be accompanied on the big roller coaster and one other ride.  The girls were tall enough for most rides, but had to be with an adult.  One ride the girls could not ride was a giant swingset.  Anna mentioned multiple times how she wished she could ride.  So, the next day, we measured her and she just barely made the cut-off, putting her in the same height-bracket as Jack.  Lo and behold, who was actually afraid to get on and opted out?  You guessed it.  Seriously, there was a lot of heavy sighing and "I wish I could go on that.." until it was observed that she actually could.  The grass is always greener.

Me and Jack on the swings that Anna really (didn't) want to ride.

The next day, we were there at opening and stayed until about 6pm before making the 3-hour drive home.  Besides all the rides, they also had shows, we watched two diving ones that were pretty fun.  And, there was a big water area with slides, play equipment, and squirting fountains.  It was actually a little cold, so we didn't spend much time in the water, even though we had brought our bathing suits, which the kids insisted on changing into.


Overall, it was a big success and we really enjoyed our mini-vacation.  Jack's favorite ride was the spinning turtles.  He also went on the big-kid roller coaster.  I was the lucky parent who got to ride with him and it was awesome.  He threw his hands in the air and just laughed the whole ride.  Anna like a river-rapid flume ride.  That was probably my favorite too.  The five of us fit in one log and it had a nice drop.  Kara liked the wonder house. The walls around you move and it feels like you're going upside down in circles.  It made me feel incredibly sick.  I rode once and then Thomas had duty for the next 2-times they wanted to go on.  Just thinking about it makes me queasy!  Jack and Thomas both liked the Turtle-Whirl.  Thomas' favorite memory is riding the swinging ship with Jack and seeing how fearless he was.  That was his first ride and we thought he'd be scared.  How foolish we were!  Dutch Wonderland is perfect for the preschool set and we think we'll try and go back every year until they outgrow it.  Then, we'll move onto Hershey Park or Busch Gardens.  It was a very nice, relatively inexpensive, fun mini-vacation.  It was also good to see how they reacted to the rides, that is definitely helping me in planning out our big Disney vacation later this summer.

Thomas was a lot more nervous than Jack.

The infamous Turtle Whirl.  Jack was riding with me.

The kids loved the hand-cranked trains.  We won't see anything like that at Disney!

The world's slowest sky ride.  Next to the Wonder House, my least favorite ride.