After a difficult and stressful night, today I am determined to lift the weight of the dark cloud that tossed over my head. I'm packing up the Cousin Crew, Timmy included, and we're heading to Hershey Park for the day. While I don't particularly enjoy amusement parks (the rides make me sick), I know how much all of the kids love to spin, drop and play. I'm looking forward to dutifully following behind, holding the drink cups and water bottles for all of the thrill seekers.
Timmy is ecstatic to be going to Hershey Park with the big kids. I know that he will be able to ride a handful of rides with them, but the majority of the time he will be with me in the kiddie section of the park. Hopefully, those rides will continue to entertain him because my little guy loves to be spun more than anybody I know!
More pictures to follow, but right now I need to get dressed so we can head to the park. It looks like it is going to be a beautiful day!
About Me
- Peggy
- I am a below knee amputee. More importantly, I am also Mommy to two boys, a very active 10 year old (Robby) and an mischievous toddler (Timmy). I have learned that being a parent with a disability can create some unusual and sometimes humorous situations. This blogger is available for hire! Let's talk and learn how a blog can expand your business.
Friday, July 12, 2019
Thursday, July 11, 2019
Ice Cream Trail
When the Cousin Crew learned that Pennsylvania had created an ice cream trail they immediately wanted to accept the challenge. Visiting five our of the thirteen slots earns each participant a t-shirt, but completing the challenge with all stamps garners both a t-shirt and a collectible ice cream bowl. Without any hesitation, the Crew vowed to go for the bowl, and our summer ice cream challenge was born.
Last evening the 12 remaining ice cream stores were carefully plotted on a map. While they are not necessarily close, I think we create a sweeping route to get a few at a time. It's a good thing they like ice cream because they will be eating a lot of it!
In addition to starting the ice cream trail, I took the Cousin Crew bowling. It turns out that Timmy is the best bowler in the group, which doesn't really surprise me. I am looking forward to enrolling him in sports soon, I think he will have a blast. Timmy is shockingly strong for his small frame and he has always been dead accurate with a ball. Even when the bumpers and ramp were removed, his ball often went straight down the alley towards the center pin. (His celebration dance was adorable!)
Last evening the 12 remaining ice cream stores were carefully plotted on a map. While they are not necessarily close, I think we create a sweeping route to get a few at a time. It's a good thing they like ice cream because they will be eating a lot of it!
In addition to starting the ice cream trail, I took the Cousin Crew bowling. It turns out that Timmy is the best bowler in the group, which doesn't really surprise me. I am looking forward to enrolling him in sports soon, I think he will have a blast. Timmy is shockingly strong for his small frame and he has always been dead accurate with a ball. Even when the bumpers and ramp were removed, his ball often went straight down the alley towards the center pin. (His celebration dance was adorable!)
Wednesday, July 10, 2019
Cow Crew
After spending a week at home, Robby began asking me to return to PA so that he could play with his cousins. Lacking any legitimate reason to say no, yesterday afternoon I packed up our bags (again) and drove to Pennsylvania. The cousins ran out of the house to meet our car as we pulled into the driveway, and their squeals at being reunited made the trip worthwhile. (I suppose we will have plenty of time in the house during the school year.)
Almost as soon as we arrived we were all piling back into the car, heading to Chick-Fil-A. Yesterday was "Cow Appreciation Day," one of our summertime traditions. I'm glad I had the foresight to throw the cow costumes into the car before leaving because the Pennsylvania Crew was chomping at the bit to claim their free chicken meal at Chick-Fil-A.
After enjoying our free Chick-fil-a, the Cousin Crew spent the rest of the evening hanging out, talking and playing games. I'm not quite sure what is on tap for today, but rest assured it will probably be both busy and fun. I love when the Cousin Crew gets together!
Almost as soon as we arrived we were all piling back into the car, heading to Chick-Fil-A. Yesterday was "Cow Appreciation Day," one of our summertime traditions. I'm glad I had the foresight to throw the cow costumes into the car before leaving because the Pennsylvania Crew was chomping at the bit to claim their free chicken meal at Chick-Fil-A.
After enjoying our free Chick-fil-a, the Cousin Crew spent the rest of the evening hanging out, talking and playing games. I'm not quite sure what is on tap for today, but rest assured it will probably be both busy and fun. I love when the Cousin Crew gets together!
Tuesday, July 09, 2019
The Urinator
Since it was pouring down rain and utterly miserable, we decided to take Timmy to yet another indoor playground. Because of the weather, I was confident that the place would be filled with lots of new buddies. My predictions were correct because the place was packed.
Scott and I assumed our spot in the parent cafe while Timmy ran, climbed and played with assorted buddies throughout the afternoon. After about three hours, an announcement was made that they were closing the play structure for cleaning. Closing the playground in the middle of a busy day could only mean one thing: some sort of body fluid malfunction.
Because we had been there for three hours already, I took the opportunity to wrangle Timmy to go home. To our surprise, he was rather quick with his agreement to leave. The typical tantrum was replaced with a pleasant "okay Momom" before he went to put on his shoes. It was a small change which felt like a ginormous parenting victory.
During our drive home, while Scott and I were quietly guessing about why the playground had been closed, our little Timmy chimed in with his own theory. "Yellow slide was closed because Timmy pee peed down the slide. Timmy said hey buddy, watch this. Timmy peed down the yellow slide."
Scott and I were both stone-faced with this admission. Did my sweet little boy, the very one who delighted us by willingly agreeing to leave the playground, just admit to being 'The Urinator?' Or was he just yacking in the back and trying to impress us? Either way, I was mortified.
After a few moments of silence to process, I told Timmy that if he was the one who peed down the slide, that it was a very bad thing to do. Scott reminded him that everybody had to stop playing and that a lot of kids had to leave early because of the dirty slide. During our conversation, Timmy's story continued to morph and change, planting seeds of doubt. At one point he laid claim to pooping down the slide. He also vehemently denied participation, naming a buddy as the culprit.
Either way, we decided that we needed to follow through an appropriate punishment. It was decided that he was not going to be allowed to ride his bike (the rain had stopped) and would not be permitted to watch cartoons for the remainder of the day. He also needs to apologize to the playground manager the next time we visit (even though I am not thrilled with being identified as the mother of The Urinator.)
Talking between ourselves, Scott and I are unsure if Timmy actually peed down the yellow slide. Honestly, I think it is probably 50-50 that it was him. I'd like to believe that he was only trying to participate in the conversation, but there was a boastful pride in his declaration that makes me worry.
Scott and I assumed our spot in the parent cafe while Timmy ran, climbed and played with assorted buddies throughout the afternoon. After about three hours, an announcement was made that they were closing the play structure for cleaning. Closing the playground in the middle of a busy day could only mean one thing: some sort of body fluid malfunction.
Because we had been there for three hours already, I took the opportunity to wrangle Timmy to go home. To our surprise, he was rather quick with his agreement to leave. The typical tantrum was replaced with a pleasant "okay Momom" before he went to put on his shoes. It was a small change which felt like a ginormous parenting victory.
During our drive home, while Scott and I were quietly guessing about why the playground had been closed, our little Timmy chimed in with his own theory. "Yellow slide was closed because Timmy pee peed down the slide. Timmy said hey buddy, watch this. Timmy peed down the yellow slide."
Scott and I were both stone-faced with this admission. Did my sweet little boy, the very one who delighted us by willingly agreeing to leave the playground, just admit to being 'The Urinator?' Or was he just yacking in the back and trying to impress us? Either way, I was mortified.
After a few moments of silence to process, I told Timmy that if he was the one who peed down the slide, that it was a very bad thing to do. Scott reminded him that everybody had to stop playing and that a lot of kids had to leave early because of the dirty slide. During our conversation, Timmy's story continued to morph and change, planting seeds of doubt. At one point he laid claim to pooping down the slide. He also vehemently denied participation, naming a buddy as the culprit.
Either way, we decided that we needed to follow through an appropriate punishment. It was decided that he was not going to be allowed to ride his bike (the rain had stopped) and would not be permitted to watch cartoons for the remainder of the day. He also needs to apologize to the playground manager the next time we visit (even though I am not thrilled with being identified as the mother of The Urinator.)
Talking between ourselves, Scott and I are unsure if Timmy actually peed down the yellow slide. Honestly, I think it is probably 50-50 that it was him. I'd like to believe that he was only trying to participate in the conversation, but there was a boastful pride in his declaration that makes me worry.
Monday, July 08, 2019
BumbleBee Jungle Gym
Friday we surprised Timmy with a trip to one of his favorite kid places. He loves going to the BumbleBee Jungle Gym ( our nickname because of the colorful bee logo and decor) and he always has a blast running, sliding, climbing and playing for hours. We don't visit to the BumbleBee Jungle Gym often because it is rather pricey and they don't offer punch card options, so it is always a treat when he gets to go.
Timmy loves the BumbleBee Jungle Gym, but it is not my favorite. I resent being nickeled and dimed in the quest to allow my child to pay. The playground charges "extra" for everything, including for parent admission. Even though I wasn't planning to climb or slide, I was forced to pay an additional $6.95 to supervise. Since children are not permitted without a parent, I resent the fee and it always sticks in my craw every time I have to pay.
While I was steaming about the fees, Timmy was running and having a blast with new buddies. He played for nearly four hours, leaving me satisfied that we had at least gotten a decent return on our money. By the time we left he was a sweaty and exhausted little mess.
The rest of the weekend was relatively low-key. It was too hot and muggy to spend a lot of time outside. Instead we played inside, watched cartoons and worked on some arts and crafts. Scott and I were finally able to catch up on laundry from our trip, and everything is now officially unpacked.
Timmy loves the BumbleBee Jungle Gym, but it is not my favorite. I resent being nickeled and dimed in the quest to allow my child to pay. The playground charges "extra" for everything, including for parent admission. Even though I wasn't planning to climb or slide, I was forced to pay an additional $6.95 to supervise. Since children are not permitted without a parent, I resent the fee and it always sticks in my craw every time I have to pay.
While I was steaming about the fees, Timmy was running and having a blast with new buddies. He played for nearly four hours, leaving me satisfied that we had at least gotten a decent return on our money. By the time we left he was a sweaty and exhausted little mess.
The rest of the weekend was relatively low-key. It was too hot and muggy to spend a lot of time outside. Instead we played inside, watched cartoons and worked on some arts and crafts. Scott and I were finally able to catch up on laundry from our trip, and everything is now officially unpacked.
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