Brickhouse Blog

For many folks summer time is also amusement park time.

Unfortunately, that is not quite the case for our family.

I think one of them might be a bit too big for this 'ride'.

In the 15 years Bob and I have been together we have been to an amusement park just twice. In 2005, we went to Disneyland while we were visiting California (Thomas was with us) and in 2007 we went with both boys to Sesame Street outside of Philly.

Disneyland was fun. Thomas was young enough that we took him on whatever ride was appropriate, we rode some rides ourselves (I love Pirates of Caribbean), the park was very clean and the lines were very short.

Sesame Street was a different story. Lets just say that as we were leaving the park Bob said ‘I can guarantee we will never come back here again.’ Most people probably don’t go there more than once anyhow, but basically it was at that moment that we decided that we would not go to any amusement parks unless one of the kids actually asked to go.

The problem is that no one in the family really likes rides. Well, I don’t mind rides. I’ve been to all the parks and been on all the rides. But I’m not a thrill seeker so if I don’t go, I don’t feel like I’m missing much. Bob does not like roller coasters at all. Thomas so far has not shown much interest and neither as Matthew.

Until this weekend.

We went to the Asian Festival in Reston where there were VERY FEW rides. Thomas decided he was going to do some. The first was the ‘bumper’ cars above. I know, that is certainly nothing to brag about but given that neither has ever shown an interest in riding one of these, this was BIG for us. (In fact, two years ago at the Herndon Festival, Thomas and I waited in line for the bumper cars and when it was our turn he said ‘no, it’s too scary’ – and yes, I did in return say ‘are you kidding me?’).

This weekend,however, Thomas decided to even go on a mini roller coaster (and really, can we call it a roller coaster?). I’m not sure he knew it was a roller coaster and well, Bob and I didn’t really tell him. I thought this was a great opportunity. It was very small, with one very small incline and tiny drop. He did it, came out and said ‘oh my god, I’m not going to do that again.’ But you know, he was not scared. In fact, I think he kind of liked it.

Of course, we are not keeping our word on never going to an amusement park. Since no one is a big rider, Disney is not in our near future. However, the boys LOVE Legos so as a last hurrah we are taking them to Legoland in a few weeks. Lets just hope some of us get on the rides otherwise …..

Yes, another Matthew take.

While he is not always the best listener in that he doesn’t follow directions the very first time, he is good about ‘getting it’ and following the direction eventually. Case in point: wearing goggles vs. opening your eyes under water.

Matthew has inherited my ability to open his eyes under water without any problems. I ALWAYS opened my eyes under water and never wore goggles. However, I now know better.

I started telling Matthew he should really wear goggles if he wants to see what is going on under water (and who doesn’t). It took a few times of me saying ‘I think your eyes are getting red’ and him asking every time he got out of the water ‘are my eyes red?’ for him to start wearing goggles. Now he wears them as soon as we get to the pool – and the entire time we are there even when he is not in the water.

Yes, these may not be the most attractive goggles but they fit him perfectly, are easy to adjust and well… he does look cute!

Thomas on the other cannot fathom opening his eyes under the water (and while I am not necessarily encouraging him I think it is good to be able to do this for safety reasons - and I’m sure people will argue with me but …). He did recently forget them for his swim lesson and managed alright!

This is Matthew.

This is Matthew doing ‘work’ dressed as Spiderman with a magician’s hat. Unfortunately, you cannot see the bearclaws he is wearing on his feet.

We are officially four weeks into the summer (five for Matthew since he got out a week earlier than Thomas). I think the boys have enjoyed it so far with trips to Lynchburg, Charlotte, Blacksburg and the Outer Banks.

They might be enjoying the summer a be a bit too much in fact.

Matthew has basically been attending Opa and Grandma camp when we have been in town, which of course is all about play, play and more play. He did attend Vacation Bible School last week but pretty much complained every day about going and apparently asked every hour ‘is it time to go home yet?’ Mind you it was just a morning camp at the church (which he is familiar with) and Thomas was there too (not in the same group but around).

In addition to VBS, Thomas attended a week-long ice skating camp at the end of June but has also been home. Of course, on top of the play, play and more play they get at O&G Camp, they’ve gone to the playground, movies, accident site (long story) and their most favorite thing – get treated to fun lunches: chik fil a, pizza, Moby Dick… who wouldn’t want this life?! Of course, when not lunching out, big brother makes Nutella sandwiches – because he spreads the chocolate to every corner of the bread and spreads it on BOTH slices of the sandwich bread!

But things are changing next week. Thomas will start four weeks of Reston Association camps (all day) and Matthew will attend two weeks (mornings only – ugh). Then he is home again for two weeks before we go on our ‘last hurrah!’ vacation.

Ah, summer….