Back from the Brink
/We are safely back in Minneapolis. I thought I would share with you all (meaning the 3 of you who occasionally read this thing) my list of things that happened (or didn't) that surprised me:
- While in Kansas, we were neither stoned nor tarred and feathered...things that my mother once told me would happen if we ever moved there. I guess we just weren't there long enough.
- Gigantic neon cowboys advertising lakeside casinos that are not, in fact, actually by lakes can blind you while driving at night. (Terrible's Casino)
- Our children were fabulous travellers, even the Small One who Shreiks.
- During the two 9 hour car rides, we did not yell and did not leave our children at a rest stop and proceed without them.
- When restrained, children can be entertained for 30 minutes with their winter hats.
- Our 4-year old can not only smell a covertly eaten Jelly Belly from the back seat, he can also identify the flavor by the smell.
- The porcupine was on her best behavior. Quills were not evident.
- They actually make knit ponchos in 12 month size.
- There was no pointing and minimal staring at the Great Wolf Lodge Indoor Water Park. Perhaps the noise, Bud Light and poolside packaged nachos were too disorienting.
- There are families that actually bring their very own Playstations to hotels with indoor water parks, arcades, board games at the front desk and planned activities for kids. I don't get that at all.
- Ice dancing isn't really a sport so much as an opportunity to wear the ugliest outfits imaginable.
- You can survive your 4-year old telling your Extremely Religious Brother (a Baptist, no less) that he does not believe in God.
- My balloon twisting skills are sorely lacking because I cannot make skeletons.
- Our 4-year old is very interested in song lyrics, especially to the song Jolene.
- You can listen to Jolene on repeat through half of Iowa and not lose your mind.
We had a good time, seriously...a good time. Who knew?