On Saturday morning, The Referee decided that it was time for our family to take a break from our life and go out and do something fun as a family. We have been dealing with so many medical appointments, financial strains, household projects, unexpected auto repairs, work stresses, and the continuously-looming anticipation over Jersey #2's upcoming-in-the-future-but-not-yet-scheduled heart surgery. Things had become too serious and sullen around our house.
Taking a day off was a brilliant idea. We decided to go out to lunch at a pizza buffet, and then spend the afternoon at the zoo. The children were thrilled! While they were getting dressed, they commented that it was going to be a really fun day! One suggested that it was going to be the best day ever.
We had a great time during lunch. Everyone ate well, and laughed plenty. As I was walking up to the buffet line to get Jersey #3 more pasta, a woman waved me over to to her table. She told me that I had the most well-behaved children she had seen all year. She went on to explain that she and her friend were originally sitting in the upper level of the restaurant, closer to the buffet line, but a couple families sitting there had children who were yelling, crying, running around, and throwing food, so they decided to move to a different table, much further away. She said they had been sitting at that table near us for at least 10 minutes before they ever even noticed that there were children sitting in this area too! I was amused by her story, and both flattered and embarrassed by her gushing over my kids. I thanked her.....and later praised the children heavily as I relayed her comments to them. It was a great reminder that well-behaved children are a joy to be around!
The positive effects of such a compliment to our family spilled over into our trip the zoo. The children were quick to point out how well they were listening, remaining in sight and not wandering off, and how much fun we can have when everyone is behaving and being kind to each other. We were able to visit all of the exhibits requested, and spend some time at the jungle gym. We fed the ducks, and hydrated the children too! We enjoyed walking around the zoo, admiring the animals, looking for the animal babies that had been born this year, and teasing our children about which animal they most resembled. The kids stood on one leg like flamingos, growled like tigers, walked on all fours like coyotes, and used their arms to imitate an elephant's trunk. I kept an eye out for photo opportunities....
Taking a day off was a brilliant idea. We decided to go out to lunch at a pizza buffet, and then spend the afternoon at the zoo. The children were thrilled! While they were getting dressed, they commented that it was going to be a really fun day! One suggested that it was going to be the best day ever.
We had a great time during lunch. Everyone ate well, and laughed plenty. As I was walking up to the buffet line to get Jersey #3 more pasta, a woman waved me over to to her table. She told me that I had the most well-behaved children she had seen all year. She went on to explain that she and her friend were originally sitting in the upper level of the restaurant, closer to the buffet line, but a couple families sitting there had children who were yelling, crying, running around, and throwing food, so they decided to move to a different table, much further away. She said they had been sitting at that table near us for at least 10 minutes before they ever even noticed that there were children sitting in this area too! I was amused by her story, and both flattered and embarrassed by her gushing over my kids. I thanked her.....and later praised the children heavily as I relayed her comments to them. It was a great reminder that well-behaved children are a joy to be around!
The positive effects of such a compliment to our family spilled over into our trip the zoo. The children were quick to point out how well they were listening, remaining in sight and not wandering off, and how much fun we can have when everyone is behaving and being kind to each other. We were able to visit all of the exhibits requested, and spend some time at the jungle gym. We fed the ducks, and hydrated the children too! We enjoyed walking around the zoo, admiring the animals, looking for the animal babies that had been born this year, and teasing our children about which animal they most resembled. The kids stood on one leg like flamingos, growled like tigers, walked on all fours like coyotes, and used their arms to imitate an elephant's trunk. I kept an eye out for photo opportunities....
We are now back into the throes of the work week, dealing with all the details that we have to manage these days. Only now, our family is more connected, rested, and relaxed, having recently enjoyed "the best day ever!"
Having family time was one of the big reasons I wanted to go to Balloon Fiesta. I wanted to do something as a family before Junior arrives!
ReplyDeleteI am glad they are realizing that trips are a lot more fun when you aren't having to correct them too :)