It's Not Over Yet

This weekend, we took the opportunity for some family time and couple time. It was truly wonderful!
Because the girls and I were off school on Friday, we got an early start on the weekend. On Friday morning, we got up early and headed to our home-away-from-home, Sacramento. We used to live there, M has an office there, and we visit there often. We stayed at our hotel, went to our restaurant, and visited our train museum. These things are a part of our Sacramento routine.
Since M had to work on Friday, and I didn't want to spend all day in the hotel, I decided to take the kids to the zoo and Fairytale Town. We visited both of these last summer and really enjoyed them.

What I love most about revisiting places like this, that we don't go to on a regular basis, is that it enables me to see O's progress. Only a year ago, there were so many things he wouldn't do, like go through the reptile house, walk the crooked path, climb the higher play structure. But, this time, he did all those things. Were there still things that he wouldn't do? Things that would be appropriate and typical for a boy his age? Of course.  But, there was progress. There is progress, every day.

After a busy morning outside, we checked into our hotel, changed into our swimsuits and went to the pool. Now, this is something that I don't usually do with the kids. Swimming is not my favorite activity. But, again, in the interest of not spending time in the hotel room, I decided it would be worth it. 
O has never taken swim lessons. Each summer there have been reasons not to take that plunge. I'm not sure that this summer will be much different. Because, while he likes being in the water, he is not completely comfortable and will not submerge his face or any part of his head.

While in the pool, I had a discussion with O about taking swim lessons. His response, "I will do it when I'm big." I reminded him that he is five now, which IS big. He decided that eight would be the perfect age. We shall see...
After the pool, we spent two hours relaxing in our room before it was time to pick up M from work. We went to dinner and came back to the hotel. M and the girls headed to the pool again, while O and I relaxed and got ready for bed. As he unpacked his suitcase, in order to find his pajamas, I discovered how many of his stuffed animals he brought on the trip. This boy loves his stuffed stuff.

On Saturday, we visited the railroad museum and took a 45-minute train ride along the Sacramento River. Then, we began our drive home.
As we drove, I realized that we had made it the whole trip without listening/watching anything related to Thomas the Tank Engine. Instead, it was Veggie Tales and Toy Story (1, 2, & 3).  Progress!
Sunday afternoon, M and I were able to take some time to ourselves, away from the kids. We did dinner and a movie...in reverse order. 

We saw Iron Man 3, which I did enjoy, even though every female I talked to earlier in the day, including my daughters, tried to convince me it was a guy movie. While there was more action and violence than I would prefer, it was also funny and entertaining. There is just something about the Tony Stark character that is endearing.

 By 6:00pm, we were done with the movie, dinner and dessert. I think that I must be 78, not 38, as evidenced by the crowd that was outside the frozen yogurt shop when we arrived.

Even so, it was an enjoyable afternoon and was good for the two of us to get some time alone. Just riding in the car, without the sound of three children singing their favorite Veggie Tales song was a treat.
The great thing about a holiday weekend, is that it is longer, which means that we will get some extra time, not only to get our typical weekend stuff done, like grocery shopping, laundry, etc, but for train rides, short trips, and date nights afternoons. We will also get to enjoy a BBQ poolside at my sister's house on Monday. 
Yay for a long weekend! And, it's not over yet...