Vacation... had to get away!

The past few months have left me feeling a bit STIR crazy. Not sure if it is the weather, sick boys, pregnancy, being a SAHM, or what, but I just have the itch to leave town! So we did... Last Sunday, we surprised the boys with a spring break vacation. Our original plans did not work out, so plan "B" was put into place. A little more low-key & close to home! Here are the highlights:

Days 1 & 2: Great Wolf Lodge
Kid reaction - AWESOME, Parent reaction - just the right amount of time here
It's EXPENSIVE to stay there! Especially when the prices are hiked up for spring break... Ignoring that, we had a great time! Nicholas loved the water slides and the wave pool. Matthew took a while to warm up, but eventually really enjoyed "swimming" and splashing in the water. He also took to the kiddie water slides (although it was a bit scary watching him go head-first down the slide!!). Fun times.
Day 3: Dallas World Aquarium, JFK (6th floor museum), Movie, Mini-golf
Kid reaction - a little blah, Parent reaction - is this it?
I think we were expecting too much from the aquarium. We went to the San Diego Zoo a few years ago and were extremely disappointed too. For some reason, the BEST Zoo-type place we've ever been is the Doorly Zoo in Omaha. Crazy, right? But it was AMAZING. And nothing has topped that for us. We paid a lot of money (well over $60 for the family) for only 1.5 hours of entertainment. And we walked slow. With bathroom breaks. Boo. The JFK/6th floor museum was mainly for Jason as I've been there before with my mom & obviously the kids weren't begging to learn more about JFK. Nicholas really enjoyed listening to the audio during the tour and had many questions later. Matthew was bored. Jason enjoyed it, but said the audio was full of information he already knew. Oh well. Can't please everyone! After a short morning of activities that we thought would take all day, we were stumped - how to occupy the rest of the day?? So we took the kids to see Gnomeo & Juliet. Cute movie. After dinner, some mini-golf. A real high-point of the trip. The kids loved it! Fun ending to the day.
Day 4: Six Flags
Kid reaction - YIPPEE!, Parent reaction - mixed, but mostly negative
So Nicholas & Jason were super excited to ride the roller coasters. Yeah for them! I love roller coasters, but clearly in my "state" I knew it wouldn't be possible. I planned on hanging with Math. most of the day, riding the rides for kiddies - the small bunch - the under 42 inches crowd! We started at the Carousel (Merry Go Round, if you ask Math.). Fun times. Saw a great cover band called Vocal Trash. Then we went to the kiddie area with the little rides. Every sign had a "no pregnant women" picture on it. EVERY ONE. Old Time cars? No preggo. Miniature ferris wheel? No preggo. Steam train that circles the perimeter of the park? No preggo. Are you serious???? What's a girl to do? Like a pregnant woman, I cried. And called Jason. And cried about Matthew's ruined day. So Jason joined back up with us & made sure Math had a good time. The downfalls? The "big" coasters grew too busy for the big boys to ride anymore - 90 min. or 2 hour waits!!! And, of course, I spent the day sitting. Wishing for a book.

Which brings me to this: What is Jen's dream vacation? Well I sure did enjoy seeing my kids have a great time. I'm glad for them that they just had the chance to run around & have an extra special time for a few days. Did I enjoy myself? No. Maybe that's not what it's about right now. Maybe some day it should be.
Calling all girlfriends!!! Here is my dream trip: a few days (2? 3? 4?) doing NOTHING scheduled or planned. Sitting on the beach, chatting, reading books, enjoying the sun, and doing little else. That's Jen's dream vacation. Want to join me? I'll be free & unattached from baby in approximately 18 months! Let's plan it! I am officially starting my "Jen vacation" fund & recommend you do too!!! (for yourself, not for me. However, if you'd like to randomly send me money, let's talk about that too) Seriously, though. I feel slightly rejuvenated. Still wish for a "perfect" dream vacation. Maybe some day...