Bay Beach Adventures

Hello dear readers! After two weeks of not hanging out, I took my Little to Bay Beach on Thursday. For weeks before it was open, she had been asking to go. It was finally open late enough during the week and I was just as excited as she was. 

Although I can no longer manage the Tilt O Whirl or the Scat, I do still quite enjoy the other rides. I was a bit disappointed and a little surprised to find out how few rides Little won't ride. I was hoping to convince her to go on Zippin' Pippin, the only roller coaster, but I was vehemently shot down. Numerous times. She also wouldn't go on the swings, bumper cars or the Ferris Wheel. I found out that she attempted the Ferris Wheel on her class field trip, but got so scared after two circles that she screamed until they let her off. At least that happened at school. I have no idea how I would have handled a child that terrified. Anyway, that didn't leave us with too many options. She did want to go on the Tilt O Whirl even without me, but it was closed for maintenance. So that left us with the train, the Scrambler, the Slide, the Helicopters and the Carousel. The Scrambler is actually both of our favorites, which meant we rode it three times. We also rode the Train twice, which is quite enjoyable, but not really all that exciting. It would have been much nicer if we had been walking around all day and needed a few seconds to just rest. Little was hoping to ride in the back because "you get whipped around much more that way." Round two, she got her wish: we were the only two on the ride, so we could choose the exact seats we want. I somehow managed to convince her to go on the Slide, even though she almost chickened out. We got half-way up the steps and she turned around, looked at me and said "I don't wanna do it anymore." I did NOT just walk up those steps for nothing. Not to mention, I was not going to let her give up. "Uh-uh," I responded. "Keep going." She looked like she wanted to argue but I think she could also tell I wasn't going to move out of her way. I'm fairly certain that as an only child, she isn't used to not getting her way so I'm not sure what she thinks when I don't let her. We got to the top crisis-free, threw our burlap sacks down, and went down. And what do you know, we get to the bottom and she says "That wasn't as bad as I thought." I told her I knew it wouldn't be, and we headed back towards the Scrambler for time #2.

Waiting in line for the Scrambler, there was a little boy ahead of us with some other children. The ride operator/my cousin measured him and he was too short to be on the ride. And I don't mean too short as in if he wearing different shoes he might be able to pass. I mean a solid two inches, at least, too short. Cousin/Ride Operator apologized and explained that because he wasn't tall enough, he couldn't go on, unless an adult wanted to go with him. The children looked expectantly at a lady standing behind the fence. "I am NOT going on that!" was her answer when a simple, "Not this time, guys" would have sufficed. Ride Operator/Cousin handed them their tickets back and they walked out of line. What I heard next is a textbook example of why there should be a test to reproduce. "UUUUGGGGHHH!!! HE'S GOTTEN ON BEFORE! I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THE PROBLEM IS!!" Ride Operator/Cousin: "I'm sorry. I don't know why he wasn't measured before, but if I let him on and something happens, I could get fired." Inexplicably Crabby Mom hauled the kids off to a different ride in another dramatic huff. Um, what did I just witness? First, why the hell are you so outraged by this? Second of all, do you really think that bullying the ride operator into breaking the rules will really make this situation any better? And what does that teach your children? That they can throw a fit until they get what they want? Finally, and most importantly, shouldn't you be worried about your child's safety? If his size puts him in danger, why in the hell do you think it's ok for him to hop on the ride and have a go at it? I would have loved nothing more than to tell that woman she should be ashamed of herself, but creating a scene in front of my Little would not have exactly promoted responsibility, so I pretended to ignore the whole thing. 

Since I convinced Little to go on the Slide, she used it against me and got me to go on the Carousel. By no means am I afraid of it like she was the Slide, but going around in circles while moving up and down is just asking for me to get sick. But after she threw out the "I went on the Slide for you, so you gotta go on the Carousel for me" line, I couldn't much argue. So we got on, and chose animals right next to each other. Then, at the last minute, she got an impish grin and bolted for a ride two behind me.  Oh, fuck. I watch SVU. It's always the Carousel that a kid gets abducted on. And now I couldn't see her when she was behind me. I manage to stay calm and not show my irrational fear and panic. After what I am certain was at least an hour, the ride ended and we hopped off, kidnapper free and just a mild case of dizziness on my end. At least I dodged those bullets.

Sucky and Super Sunday

Sucky:

• Someone made a rather inappropriate and totally uncalled for remark to me this week. Considering it came from someone I have absolutely zero respect for, I should not have been as upset as I was. But damnit if I didn't want to tell them GFY. I know, I know, "Sticks and Stones," right? False. Words stick with you way longer than any punch to the face would.

That's it! That's the only Sucky thing that happened to me all week. And I have to admit, if that's all that really happened to put me in a sour mood, I must be doing ok for myself. In fact, as you will see, my week was actually pretty phenomenal. My life is finally turning around in the way that I had been hoping it would for so long. Although there is still a fair amount of stress in my life, it has dramatically decreased. Finally, week after week, good things have been coming into my life. Positivity is crawling out of the woodwork. And frankly, it's about damn time.

Super:

• Tuesday my little and I made Mother's Day cards
• Thursday's mail brought me the custom-made Chuckies I designed

• I volunteered at the Y's Healthy Kids Day for a second year
• I had a fabulous Pure Romance party

Volunteering has been having such a positive influence on my life, and I cannot be more thankful for the Green Bay YMCA or the Green Bay Big Brother Big Sisters. Working with these children has probably helped me out just as much as it has them. It is so rewarding being able to help someone else and to know that they have someone there for them who WANTS to be there. 

I've only been a Big for about three weeks now, but we have so much fun together every week. This was probably one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life. Little decided she wanted to make Mother's Day crafts as our activity this week. Her mom does a lot of crafting/scrapbooking, but has never really had the chance to help Mom out at all. I was excited that she was so excited, particularly because I enjoy stamping and scrapbooking so much. I told her the ridiculous amount of supplies I have and she grew even more eager. Fast forward to when I actually pulled out my supplies (and not even all of them, mind you) and her eyes lit up and jaw dropped so far I thought I was going to have to pick it up off the floor. I showed her my stamps, inks, stickers, markers and paper, just in seventh heaven to be able to share my interests with her. She was in such awe that she just sat and stared at everything for a good five minutes before starting. 

I'm starting to learn how funny Little is, and not just for being nine years old. Her Mother's Day card read, "Mom, I remember the first step I ever took. Actually, I don't but I'm sure you were there." She used one of my little footprint stamps and wrote [Little] 7 lbs 8 oz. I asked if that's how much she actually weighed when she was born and she said, "No. It just seems like that's what a lot of people weigh so I figured I'd just put that." She makes me laugh every time I'm with her and I hope she holds on to that sense of humor forever.

Saturday's Healthy Kid Day was so much fun I hadn't even realized my three hour "shift" was up so quickly. I was at the Master Gardeners station which ended up being far more enjoyable than I had expected. I was in charge of the micro-greens, which were baby kohlrabi, kale, arugula and a Japanese lettuce. I got to tell the kids what they were and instructed them how they could eat the greens. Surprisingly, most of the kids actually enjoyed them. It was funny to watch them so diligently pull off one single leaf to eat when there were about ten full trays full of the greens. I was a bit disappointed at how few parents tried them, though. There were some awesome parents who tried the greens with their kids, and high fives all around to them. However, many did not. How can you ever expect your child to try new things if you don't try it with them? And you wonder how you have such a picky eater? Give me a break. 

Also at the Master Gardener station the kids could learn about canned veggies. We had a few tables with fresh veggies next to their canned cousins so the kids could see where canned veggies come from and how they start out. They each got to pick a packet of seeds to bring home to plant and at the end of the station could also plant a sunflower seed to bring home to grow. As always, it is super cool to see how excited the children are to learn and try new things. Every day is such an adventure to them, even if it only eating baby lettuce. 

Saturday night I also had a highly successful Pure Romance party. This was the 6th party I've attended, but every single party is a new experience and just as fun (if not more) than the one before it. It was a good time to have some ladies-only fun, drinks and yummies. One of the things I love the most about Pure Romance parties is how educational they are. Although the parties certainly do focus on the toys, products and sexiness, they are incredibly informative. Even though I had attended several parties before this, I still learned new things. In fact, I think I learn something new every party I go to. I have to admit I had a fairly thorough sex-ed class in high school, but I had no idea the things I didn't know until I started attending PR partes. I've learned so much valuable information about my body that I cannot believe I didn't know prior. It also helps that my consultant is amazing. She's so knowledgeable about the company, her products and sexual health. She's confident, funny and personable. Seriously, ladies, if you're in the GB area and looking to have a party, check out her Facebook page. We all had a lot of fun at the party and since my sales were so successful, I got tons of free stuff. Holla! $150 worth of product for $52. Plus, one of my friends decided to become a consultant through my party! 

As if the week hasn't treated me well enough, it's been a gorgeous weekend and I'm of to enjoy the weather.