We are back from a fun little weekend getaway-
The MR decided to pack up after work on Friday, drive to Atlanta, and
then spend the day at the Georgia Aquarium.
For those of you who know me
(even if it is only through this screen)
you know that there are a couple of things that I don't
do well with
1. "Kitchen"
2. Driving
3. Riding in the Car
4. Metal (weird, I know)
Well, going on a trip means I have gotten rid of one of those-
Kitchen! Whoo hoo!
Cause we eat out the whole time we are gone
Someone else cooks it-
Someone else cleans it-
So now we are down to 3 things
Which I DO NOT DRIVE any further than Target or Walmart-
soooo now we are down to 2
(man, this is getting easy)
The Littles are fully aware of their mother's aversion
to metal- so they know better
and we were going to be in the van for like six hours..
so that leaves us with
Riding in the Car (Van).
I don't get carsick.
I don't get headaches.
It's not the "riding in the car" that bugs me-
It's ramming into other objects
(moving or not)
that tends to weigh on me.
I clench- I gasp- I use the invisible brake
that was never installed on my side of the van.
I squeeze material, seats, my own hands.
I hold my breath.
It is worse with the MR.
He has never so much as bumped into a shopping cart,
let alone have a for realsies accident-
but he drives me crazy (pun intended)!
I have tried riding in the back with them-
that is worse-
there is nothing worse than staring at the giant wheel of a semi
when all you can think of is your impending doom!!!
I did have Betty to keep me occupied for awhile-
she's a pretty cool chick:)
I played on my phone A LOT on the way down there
(the Littles slept almost all the way there
and almost all the way back- so they were no fun).
On to the aquarium-
If you have not been there-
GO!
Just go!
When I found out there were whale sharks there six years ago,
I made it a point that we would have to go!
It took six years- but we made it!
The whale sharks are just spectacular!
that is a sand tiger shark- but the picture freaks me out! |
We drove down the night before, stayed the night at a hotel,
and we were there when they opened the doors-
let me tell ya, that is THE BEST time to go!!!!
The fish were all like
"Come on it- glad you're here!"
After the crowds started coming in, it took away from some of the fun-
not all,
but some.
And I am throwing a HUGE DISCLAIMER out there
I am by no means a Baby Hater. I have nothing personal against any baby in particular.
I have said this before- I am a mother of three- I have been through the baby years.
I was 24 when I had my first and 31 when I had my last. So I have been there.
That is my disclaimer.
Now,
with that being said
and this is directed to all of the drivers of strollers that hit me
in the ankle, ran over my toe, or blocked my view.
If I could write them all a letter...
Dear Young Couple,
I regret to inform you that your baby (the one who cannot articulate, walk, or even support it's own
neck without you) did not ask for you to bring them to the Aquarium today.
You baby has no interest in looking at something that it cannot even name
because he has NO IDEA WHAT IS GOING ON!!
There is no sense in driving around a stroller the size of Smart Car with a bag the size of
traveling luggage all day long when your child will have no recollection of today's visit.
You will probably not have any recollection of it either because all you have done all day is
apologize for being in the way. Thank you.
Signed-
Lover of all babies who are not at the aquarium today-
Too mean?
Ha ha!
I am serious folks!!!
You weren't allowed to take strollers into the Dolphin Show
so the roped off area in front of the stairs looked like a
showroom for baby gear!!
Don't even get me started on the sweet little darlings who cried
through the whole thing!!
So you ask,
Well what do you propose we do?
Get a sitter. Or wait til your baby wants to go-
and good gravy, whatever you do-
don't put your baby on leash!!!
That will definitely be a part of WTH Wednesday!!!
I actually heard a small boy ask if he could "hold" his sister's
leash!! Dad said no, though- reason? because you let her go....
Chances are, if your child cannot or won't stay with you
at an aquarium, you might not want to drop the $100 to get in and just put it off
a few more years :)
Oh, and for that sweet young couple-
Your baby also did not ask to be taken on the tour at the
CNN World Center in Atlanta (look for that one on Wednesday, too).
Remember- I love babies!! Whoo hoo! Gooooooooo Babies!!!
Babies Rock!
(does that get me off any hooks?)
-------------------------------------------------------------
We did have a ton of fun though!
There weren't any major fights between the three.
We laughed and joked.
We learned and shared.
It was a great day for the Squirrels crew!
-------------------------------------------------------------
I did get some great news yesterday!
My DonorsChoose project got approved- so I will be hitting up relatives and
strangers for that one!
I need to get off of here and work out that email that I will
be sending off to them (family).
Shoot, if they can buy three $15 dollar candles from the Littles
during Fundraiser time- they can hook a mama up!!
Have a Marvelous Monday!!
This post had me laughing out loud! :) Thank you! Have you seen that Modern Family where they go to Disneyland and the little girl is on a leash...? It was hilarious and this post reminded me of that. I hope your run over ankles and feet are okay!
ReplyDeleteThis had me laughing :) I feel the same way about the strollers and babies. Where's the pictures of Betty? ;)
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
I was going to mention that same episode of Modern Family. AHHHH so funny
ReplyDeleteYou crack me up, Squirrels. Despite those annoying Baby Parents... sounds like you had fun.
❤Dragonflies in First ❤
Hey people!
ReplyDeleteThose of us with twin toddlers refer to those leashes as Harnesses and they are a must if you ever want to leave your house! Ha! Yes, I have to own up to the fact that I've used them when I said I never would. I said I'd never own a minivan either. Don't look in my garage. :)
JennyB
Funtastic Fun in First Grade
Metal? Metal. Hmmmmm.
ReplyDeleteThat one has really got me wondering...
Along with: Who would bring a baby to CNN World Center?!
For the record, I agree completely with #1.
If at all possible, I only go into the kitchen for ice cream.
Cars are a different matter for me.
I get car sick looking at cars on the street. And cars in movies too.
Yet alone riding in one...
Sending you a hug, Squirrels.
Kim
Finding JOY in 6th Grade
I was JUST talking about this the other day! {taking babies to aquariums, parks, etc.} I said the same thing you did. The kids have no idea what is going on. I was being mean though because I added the "the parents just don't want to spend quality time with their kids so they bring them to these places to fill time." Too harsh?
ReplyDeleteAll I know is my parents never took my brothers and sister anywhere until we could walk, talk, and go to the bathroom on our own OR they got a babysitter, left us at home, and went by themselves. Ha!
Thanks for such a great post!
~Andi
You crack me up! I love reading your posts. We love the Georgia aquarium and the whale sharks. :)
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a great time - barring the babies, and I'm totally with you on that one! When we went to Disney I was astounded by the number of infants - and I'm talking just a month or two old! Hello?! It's hot as Hades and I'm sweating my butt off waiting in line, but you've got a baby cooking inside a front carrier? Do you know how quickly they dehydrate?! I know babies get in for free and it costs money for a babysitter, but still! And since I had 4 of my own, I feel I can complain right along with you! Although, I did put my son on a leash once. Once! It was when we were flying to Germany - husband was already over there so I was flying with a 5 year old, 2 1/2 year old and 6 month old all by myself. Plus 2 car seats, a stroller and about 3 carry on bags. And we had to change planes! So yes, I put the 2 1/2 year old on a leash for the day - and Daddy promptly took it off and trashed it as soon as we got to Germany safely lol!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, your pictures reminded me of my favorite youtube video. I put it on during nap sometimes for those kiddos who aren't sleeping. Here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7deClndzQw&list=PL6C8EE805C2B385DD&index=19&feature=plpp_video
So relaxing! If the link doesn't work just search for "Kuroshio Sea" and it's the first video that comes up.
Jennifer @ Herding Kats In Kindergarten
Hey, I don't blame you for putting your son on a leash at an airport for goodness sakes! My little nephew is a runner and we have been very thankful to many, many people for catching him on several occasions when we couldn't!
DeleteYou know, a link to your Donorschoose project would be helpful for those of us with a little built up in their DC account. Just saying :P
ReplyDeleteJennifer @ Herding Kats In Kindergarten
Whew- it took awhile but I made a button for my
DeleteProject!
You crack me up!!
ReplyDelete-Megan
First Grade Magic
I took the family to the GA Aquarium last summer. I have to agree with you...IT IS AWESOME! My favorite part were the whale sharks as well. That viewing room is fabulous with the size of the glass window and all. I am glad you had a good time except for the babies, of course. I always feel for the crying babies as well.
ReplyDeleteHappy Blogging!
Ann
This is hilarious! Riding is one of my least favorite things. Glad you had a great time! Totally agree on the baby thing too. My friend just show people bring their baby to a bar. Seriously a sitter is need in that case.
ReplyDeleteJessica
Apples and Papers
Oh my gosh...you are too funny! I just love reading your posts!
ReplyDeleteA Pirates Life for Us
I am so with you on the "metal" thing. I absolutely hate riding in a vehicle. I get severely car sick though on top of being deathly scared of plowing into another vehicle. Imagine being "pinned" between a high retaining wall and a big semi on the interstate going 75 miles and hour (if your a cop that was so not us haha) when it is pouring down the rain. Yeah that was us for 2 hours last night and I was a horrid mess.
ReplyDeleteI won't even get started on the kids on leashes.
This post could have been written by me :) Your posts always brighten my day just a bit more.
Heidi
My (Not So) Elementary Life
I don't know if I'm allowed to say this since I don't have kids, but I HATE having to deal with everybody's kids at those types of places (and we're going Wednesday!). I wondered how u did in the car for that long. Glad u guys had fun even with the all the kids in the way. Hope they didn't run over your "broken" toes.
ReplyDeleteGirl don't get me started on the strollers at Disneyworld! At one point we stopped and stared at the stroller parking because it was just as incredible as the attractions. Totally WTH Wednesday material!
ReplyDeleteBut I am SURE I took my babies to the Monterrey Bay Aquarium because I was SURE they would somehow be ahead of the game for it one day. :) So I can't complain!
Love that you got to go fulfill a vacation dream! That's so fun!
Glad you survived the car ride too.
No laminator yet....