Granita - 3 Days left - Tourist Panic Sets in For Me

Thursday was our last full day (beside Sat and we figured we were taking Cyp to the airport that day) that we had to do tourist activities. So I decided we should try the beach again. A closer one this time - oh and I still have stuff in the car from last time so less work to get ready.

We made it out the door by about 11 am and Anita said

"when I'm gone you can get back to your schedule - leaving the house by 9:30!"

I don't think so - I like our new schedule - wait until Rowan is good and tired so he passes out in the car. It's only a problem on school days.

Anyway - we headed out and soon the questions started from the back.

"mum... why are clouds grey?"

"mum - why does my apple turn brown after I bite it."

"mum - will my voice be the same when I'm older?"

Granita piped up "it is hard being a mom!" as she listened to me trying to come up with answers.

Ellis uses our time in the car as question and answer period.

I later checked one of the books I got from Aunt Susie - it has "why do apples turn brown?" in it - I read it to Ellis - we still don't understand.

We got to Redcliffe - we were the only ones at the beach - we set ourselves up and I immediately got bored. I also started to worry about Rowan's lack of hat head.

I pulled out a kite Cyp had brought back from Vancouver - it was fairly windy out. It was a useless kite (aren't they all?). We tried many times to get it into the air and even tried things like "up kite up" as this had seemed to work for Frog and Toad (book from Barb). I took the stupid made in China kite and put it back in the container. We decided we'd had enough beach and headed over to the waterpark.

Ellis wanted to go in - this was the same one we went to with mom and dad about a month ago. There were maybe 4 other kids in. I sent Granita to the playground with Rowan and went to change into my swimsuit. As Ellis stuck his foot into the water he said "carry me to the island."

"uh - no - it will be cold when you jump in from the island so you might as well get wet now."

He slowly got in going "eh, eh, eh." reminded me of G. Bob.

I only had to get wet up to my tummy - it was freezing!

We made it to the island and Ellis jumped in three times - unfortunately he wanted me to catch him so I got wet. He decided he wanted to go to the kid area. He played there and then just took off - I guess he couldn't see me - he was running across the park and I chased him.

"had to go - I was cold."

Running to warm up I guess.

We got changed and went to find Granita - Rowan had had enough of the playground and was keenly interested in the waterpark. So - I put on his suit (no diaper) and let him go in. He stood there for about 2o seconds, peed and was done. I had tried to tell him it was cold, but he didn't listen.

We went back to the playground - fortunately Rowan found a lid on the way - as this entertained him for the long walk back to the car which he insisted on walking. Granita was pushing Ellis in the stroller and I was throwing the lid to get Rowan to move forward. Eventually I got fed up and carried the kicking and writhing boy back to the car. It was super sunny and I was worried about his hatless head.

We drove home via Sandgate - or Shorncliffe - not sure really. I think they are close together. We hit another playground. There were some other 15 month old boys there. One was running and climbing on everything - Rowan was fascinated. That's him watching the other baby as he lies on the slide. Don't get any ideas bub. It made me realize that really - I'm lucky - Ellis and Rowan are rather sedate.

Ellis was following a little girl who was with her dad. They told him to stop following them. He was upset at this - but I think they told him this as it was rather a large playground and they were off exploring and did not want to lead him astray. Or they thought he was a mini stalker. Hard to say really.

It was 3:30 so time to head home - using lid, we walked back to the car. Ellis thought it would be fun to torment his brother by beating him to the lid, grabbing it and taking off. It did move things along. Poor Rowan and his short little legs.

The car ride home was exhausting - Rowan was an uncooperative, threatening to barf child so Granita had to think of ways to entertain him.

Ellis was back on question period - "mom, what if I rub my sore."

"then it won't heal and you will get a scar."

"what if I eat it?"

"ditto"

This topic fascinated him the entire way home.