Day Trips Then And Now

A friend of mine did a blog post recently about ski trips then (before kids) and now (after kids). I figured I would take this idea and do a post on day trips before the boys and day trips now with the boys.

Then... we got up early got ready, jumped in the car and left.

Now... we get up extra super early...get ourselves ready and then get them ready....pack wipes, paper towels, book bag with things to entertain them, snacks, DVD player, Kleenex..clearly it takes more "stuff" with kids.

Then...we strolled around leisurely only worrying about ourselves.

Now...We have to be constantly vigilant that we keep two aimless wandering kids from getting out of our sight, running into other people..staying ahead of the game before they meltdown saying they are hungry or have to pee. It seems like we take way more bathroom breaks now. Do any of you other moms out there deal with 15 minutes after your child pees they then say they have to poop? On a side note the kids have a counseling appointment every other week and we are there for about 1.5 hours and I visit the bathroom 4 times with these kids (2 per kid). Crazy I think.

Then...We went out to dinner and just talked and took our time.

Now...We go out to dinner and if we have to wait we try to keep them entertained and then after we order our food try to keep them entertained knowing that if we don't they will act like animals and just keep getting in trouble.

We love being able to do different things with the kids and take them places, it is definitely different though and so much revolves around staying ahead of what they are thinking and predicting how they are going to act and redirect that before it gets ugly. Sometimes more work than its worth.

Then...we anticipated having kids with us and the fun things we could do with them

Now...we actually get to do them!!!