When you have kids, a lot changes, duh! But who would have thought that going out, would change so much! No I don't mean going for a night out and having a baby sitter, I mean going out as a family,
(a must do!) Well, let me tell you this, outings change!!!!!
I remember when we could be like, hmph, I'm bored, let's go for a hike! We'd change our clothes and be out of the house within minutes! Stay out as long as we wanted, not worry about sunscreen or feeding times, just, do, whatever!
Spontaneous outings are still possible with children, by all means, but for the most part, outings need much planning and preparing once you have children!
Our family outing to the aquarium was a PERFECT example of how much outings have changed!
For instance, when my husband and I first got married and I visited him in Chicago with no kiddos, we decided to go to the aquarium out there, (awesome aquarium might I add!) we stood in line for at least an hour and a half, goofing off, snowing, (Chicago snow, is much different than Colorado snow that's for sure!) stayed there all day, took our time looking, and learning about all these awesome animals! Afterwards we walked around town in the cold, did whatever we wanted! All in which would be impossible with our situation now!
Could you imagine, 2 three year olds and a 7 month old waiting in the snow for almost two hours?
No way!!!!!
Yesterday, same type of outing, but as a family, a much different experience to say the least!
First off, with kids, everything has to be planned around feeding and nap schedule! Maybe it's just my kids, but if we go out without that nap, boy were in for a CRANKY ride!!!!
Without kids, you're not worried about lunch, and you definitely aren't ensuring you get that nap,
(Well, maybe sometimes, feeling old!)
Next, packing!!! With kids, you need to prepare for each and every situation, even if they've never happened (with our luck, the only situation that happens, is the one we DIDN'T prepare for!)
As my husband says, it's better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it!
That means diapers, wipes, snacks, bottles, formula, a few toys, butt cream, bandaids, extra clothes, FOR EVERYONE!
(No kid wants to walk around in spilled on, or peed in pants. No baby wants to be in a spit up soaked onsie, and no parent wants to walk around smelling like spit up, or covered in pb&j with a mixture of boogers!!!)
Towels in the car, WATER WATER WATER, jackets (yes, even in California!) and so much more! So, back to what I was saying, we decided to go to the aquarium yesterday, during nap we loaded up everything we needed, and got showered and ready. Planned on waking the boys up around 1:00, head out at 1:30, get there by 2:30, then it closes at 5:00, looked super big and fun so wanted to ensure we had enough time to see it all!
So, 1:00 rolled around, and we weren't ready and the boys were out cold, so figured we'd give them another 30 minutes or so. Well, those 30 minutes passed, we woke them up, and they were in slow mode, of course. So, trying to rush them to pee, get dressed, shoes, hydrated, all that good stuff.
Finally, get them and the baby loaded up, around 2:30. Which made me start stressing out that we wouldn't have enough time there! To add to my stress, we hit the famous California traffic! Oh boy, not a good start so far! We finally get there, in decent time surprisingly! (WHEW!)
Then, the boys are cranky cause were trying to find a parking spot and they're ready to go go go! Parked and out front of the aquarium now, waiting in line for our tickets, of course, they don't appreciate waiting! So they're repeating over and over, let's go let's go let's go!!!!
Yay, getting our tickets, $50.00!!!! And that's WITH military discount!!!
Boy, this place better be good! We go in, and start our adventure! Like any 3 year olds, they're amazed by everything, but over it quickly! So the second we see one animal, they're ready to see the next! Which is great don't get me wrong, but didn't get a chance to enjoy any of the animals or read about them, or anything! They just, again, want to
GO GO GO!
So were speeding through this place like its nothing! Not to mention, yes my kids are very well mannered, but they are three, so they'll say excuse me and such, while barging in front of people to see the animals. I was already getting a little bummed, that's a lot of money to spend to not even get to take our time! We get through one section, then the next, and the next! First section was short, cool, but short! Second, not bad but not great, and again, short. Then lastly there was barely anything, just learning stuff not many actual animals, which of course didn't interest my boys.
Lastly, the outside stuff, which is what I was excited for! TOUCHING SEA STARS!
Which, they weren't intrigued by, DARN! Then there's this small water park, not where you get wet or anything but for instance you ride this bike and it pumps water on this big thing, not sure how to even explain it. But they weren't big enough to do the bike, so that was a dud! But, the view, WOW! Such a beautiful view, but again, not intriguing to two 3 year olds! Now, to add to all of this, couldn't even get many good pictures, no flash, speedy children, and by the time I figured out what setting my camera needed to be on, we were past my favorite, OCTOPUS, so that was an even a bigger bummer!
Within about 2 hours, we were done with everything, most of that time was spent in the little water park area. I was super super bummed! Small place, expensive, not many good pictures, and the few really cool animals that were there, couldn't even see them for more than 20 seconds before we were on to the next. I was mentally and physically exhausted to say the least. Then, the little store, UGH! $15 for a little crab the size of your hand, are you serious?!
Anyhow, we were starving, and NOW the boys wanted to take their time picking a million toys, and so hard to decide! Toys now picked, and out to the car, all of us a bit cranky and hungry, and... TRAFFIC!!!!
Takes us almost 45 min just to get to go eat! Now, full bellies and heading home!
But, GPS shows, guess what, traffic on the 5 interstate! So, we take a different route, coast highway, much more scenery that way, any ways! BUT, didn't inform us of all the construction! About half way home, Tristan is MAD! Overly tired I'm sure, and has been stuck sitting for most part of the day
(Can't exactly let him crawl through a crowd of people in the dark!)
So initially, you think, he's mad, get in the back seat and cheer him up right?!
Nope, 3 kids, no room in the back for me! So, my arm bent backwards playing with his hands and helping him with his pacifier, almost an hour of that, and needless to say, my arm is so asleep I'm not even sure if it will ever wake up again!!!!!! (Am I going to feel like this forever?)
Boys trying to cheer him up, which obviously is adorable to watch, but he's just not having it!
Then, tension between Zak and I, all that stress, a squeaky shark toy going off every two seconds, another toy already broken with a mad 3 year old, an exhausted 7 month old, and cones everywhere in a one lane road, obviously tension and stress levels were high! So now, were snapping at each other! All around, not cool! Now,
HOME! FINALLY!!!!!!!!
Now don't get me wrong, it was worth it when the boys have been non stop talking about the aquarium, but boy was it hectic! Going out as a family, can be amazing! But sometimes, it's more stress than anything! But, it is, and always will be a must do! Don't take this post as if I don't enjoy going out with my family, cause it's my favorite thing to do! I'm just saying, at times, it's extremely hectic, and never as easy as it use to be, but always worth it in the end! It's not like this every time, as a matter of fact this is one of the first "bad" outings we've had in a long time, but whether it's crazy like this one, or perfect like many other times, it's still very different to have outings as a couple, or with friends, as apposed to with the amazing little kiddos!
Outings can be tough, but oh so very rewarding!
