I know, I know. Another blog with some parent talking about his kids ad nauseam. True. But there’s at least some humor in here. Or so I’d like to believe.
Last week was my first full week off in years. Other than a quick overnight on Monday at the Great Wolf Lodge in Wisconsin Dells, we didn’t plan much as it was meant to be just a time for me to relax and get ready to start a new job (I refuse to use the word stay-cation.) Not surprisingly, though, it turned out to have a few interesting moments.
Beer and cartoons
A friend of mine once told me that he and his girlfriend would sometimes open a bottle of wine and watch a Disney flick. He said it was not only relaxing, but at times resulted in a lot of laughing. And why wouldn’t it? Alcohol certainly has the ability to make stupid things funny and funny things funnier. Thus, I spent one afternoon drinking beer and watching “Chicken Little” on Cartoon Network. Let’s just say, my friend was right.
We adults often take life far too seriously. We worry way too much about work, meetings, deadlines, PTA meetings (do they still even have those?), our kids’ homework, and other miscellaneous chores. If we don’t just step back, relax and have a little fun, life will pass us by and everyone else will be doing all of the laughing.
Oh. And while “Chicken Little” isn’t as funny as “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs”, it did teach me how to translate ‘sheep’.
Apple picking and the pumpkin patch
Thanks to an episode of Caillou, my personal arch-nemesis from the Sprout Channel, Twin #2 really wanted to go apple picking. So we scrapped the original plan of going to the zoo and headed off to County Line Orchard. It was a fun time with the twins getting to pick apples, mess around in a pumpkin patch, take a tractor ride, and even ride in a Moo-train (which was basically another tractor ride, but it pulled little cars painted like cows.) If you’re looking for a relatively inexpensive way to entertain kids for an afternoon, it’s not a bad way to go.
This is where I’ll ask, “How do rednecks celebrate Halloween?” (Answer: “They pump kin”). That one never gets old.
The next day I got to chaperone a class of 4-year olds going on a field trip to a pumpkin patch. There were pig races – Hamma Montana was the big winner – as well as a giant corn pit. For those uninitiated with the concept, picture that ball pit thingy at Chucky Cheese, but instead of balls, it was filled with corn. There was also a corn maze and the kids got to pick out their own little pumpkin.
Yeah. I’m such a good daddy.
And last but not least…
On Saturday, the in-laws and I took the twins to a Community Awareness Fair at the local high school. Thousands were in attendance while local merchants advertised their products and services, gave away samples, candy, coupons, and put on various exhibits. One performance, in particular, will never be forgotten.
The local park district brought in their Zumba class to show off their Zumba-ing skills. They asked for volunteers from the crowd and for whatever reason, Twin #2 shot his arm in the air and ran up to the stage. It was three minutes that not many will soon forget.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XnOUhG0RRU?rel=0&w=420&h=315]
Wowing a crowd the way only a 4-year old could, Twin #2 stole the show with his moves. The dancers loved it, a couple of exhibitors were belly laughing, and I’m just happy as hell to have been able to get it on video. When it was all said and done, the crowd didn’t clap for the hot chicks from the class. They cheered for my son. I was in tears.
Two minutes later, Twin #1 pulled the fire alarm and the building began to evacuate. Perhaps we’ll save that story for another time.
