Fall Festivities - and Frustrations

Today Dan and I took the kids up to New Era to enjoy some fall festivities. We started at Country Dairy, where we had a delicious meal (I think that the kind of sandwich I ate is what made America great) and unlimited refills on chocolate milk. The kids were restless and little crabby, but we were rewarded with Hunter's enthusiastic calls of "COW! COW!" After that we headed to the Lewis Farm Market, where they had every sort of Halloween-themed amusement known to man (for the preschool set): a miniature "train" hauled by a little tractor, hayrides, a bouncy thing in the shape of a "ginormous pumpkin" (as Helena put it), playground equipment, petting farm-type animals, and a pumpkin patch. This is where things went south.

I really, really hate crowds. I think most of Muskegon and Oceana counties were in attendance at this place. It was hideous. Also, I am coming down with a cold and am in the unpleasant dry-throat-and-headache portion of that illness. Helena was touchy and easily upset. Dan and I had no idea what was available, or where to buy tickets, or what to do first. I think Helena fell down three times. Hunter was blessedly unaware of anything wrong, and was happy the whole time.

Once again, I felt like the Biggest Loser Parent of the Year. What was supposed to be a loving family outing became a day I'd very much like to redo.

When we got home, I laid down in my room and sort of slept for about an hour. Dan took the kids outside, and they played out there until at least 6:30pm. They had so much fun. In the yard. For free. For several hours. And at the end of the day, Helena only had good memories of her experiences this morning.

All told, things turned out well. But I re-learned that eternal lesson: When Mom's not happy, nobody's happy.

One funny thing: When Helena's realized that she's been naughty, but decides to try and be good, she'll say, "Yes, Mother." "MOTHER?" I've never referred to myself that way...