So, as I mentioned, things were busy this past week. Some of our activities were more fun (read: less insane) than others. 

For example, going to the Boston Children’s Museum the week of winter vacation? Not smart. It seems that all of New England came out to visit the museum the same day we did and I have to say that I have a hard time enjoying these places when other peoples’ obnoxious kids are tearing around shrieking loud enough to shatter glass. Still, it’s a cool place and the kids had tonnes of fun, despite my bad attitude.

As a side note, I’ve decided that I need to chill the hell out and stop being so uptight when it comes to bubbles. In the past the kids are so excited about bubble blowing but I’ve been the bubble bottle nazi, holding the bottle for them and trying to keep them from getting soaked with soapy water. Because OMG SOAPY WATER ON THEIR CLOTHES!?!?!?! THE HORROR!!! I know, right? What kind of mother is so completely anal about soap??? This summer I’m going to complete the first in an ongoing series of de-anal-izing exercises and make a huge tub of bubble water and let them go crazy with it outside. Because seriously? They could have stayed in the bubble room at the children’s museum all freaking day and if it would entertain them for a fraction of that time this summer, it would be worth it!

I also mentioned that we made the trek to the closest Rainforest Cafe with the kids last week. What I didn’t realize is that, like the children’s museum, the Rainforest Cafe is the destination du jour around here during vacation week. We arrived at the mall a couple of hours before lunch and spent some time shopping. When we finally got around to the restaurant we were told the wait was TWO AND HALF HOURS, which, I’m sorry, is just too long to wait with kids who are already tired and hungry. But the result of telling a tired and hungry 5 year old that her patience, which had been garnered only with promises of an exciting lunch-time experience, was all for naught, was…well…heartbreaking. She is such a good girl, my daughter. She didn’t throw a tantrum. There was no screaming or throwing herself to the floor. But the tears welled up and her disappointment was just so genuine. I totally understood her feelings and I can’t even say how incredibly stupid I felt for not putting our name on the damn list the second we walked INTO the mall, several hours before. We ended up eating elsewhere and promising to come back another time.

The other major destination of the week was Disney on Ice which was performing in Boston, again, over the school break. After our foray into the children’s museum I was a bit concerned about being confined to a seat for several hours, surrounded by other people’s annoying children, all hyped up on sugar and whipped into a trademarked-character-inspired frenzy. But fate was kind to us and we had pretty good seats and were surrounded by reasonably well-behaved children and parents. Watching my kids experience a show like this for the first time was truly magical and I enjoyed every minute. Seeing the show from their perspective, and their uncomplicated delight at each unexpected costume change or flying character. Misdirection totally fulfills its potential when the audience is mostly children and not cynical adults. 

So that’s what we’ve been up to. Now that we’re all caught up, tell me what you did last week.