So my trip with Anna was pretty great. It was a wonderful opportunity to spend some time together and explore and experience so many things. We had fun and I loved watching her when she was happy.
But then there were the times when she was not. And I wanted to pull my hair or spank her right there on the city streets. (Yes, I spank my children.)
She pouted because I ordered water for her instead of lemonade. When papa was the hero and got her the $3 drink she took one sip and was done.
She sulked because nothing at dinner in Chinatown looked good to her. Eventually she warmed up to the idea of food, asked for bites of every dish, and stuffed herself.
At another dinner, despite the fact that she loves steak, baked potatoes, and carrots, she wouldn't touch her food, curled up in a ball, and cried later because the food was too cold.
Sometimes she didn't want to be touched, talked to, or bothered. Which I totally understand and I'm happy to give her that space, in reason.
She ran around in the wet grass on Crissy Field and then freaked out when her shoes got soaked.
She was tired of taking pictures . . . . often.
Then there was the time we stood around and waited for her to eat a cinnamon roll to calm the wet-shoes & I'm-done-with-pictures meltdown.
Maybe I forgot that she is just 8 years old.
In my mind, here we are on this grown-up trip hosted by my parents and she needs to act more respectful and thankful. !!!
In her mind, here we are on a trip in the city where there are no chicken nuggets in sight and I just want to run around.
I know she remembers it as a great trip. I do too! But from time to time I need to share these vacation-reality blog posts to help me to remember what it was really like. It's not always taffy & roses. :)
This little trip did help me realize a few things:
- There are some things we need to work on in the category of manners & politeness.
- Snacks & treats in my purse would have been a good idea.
- I'm glad we haven't taken our kids on a big trip yet (like, Hawaii). Another year at least.
- Grandparents are way more patient than mothers. Maybe they just hide it better.
