Appointment for Fun!

The boys had no idea I was picking them up early from school and when they came nervously to the office to meet me and I told them we had "an appointment" their eyes widened and the questions started. "Will it hurt? Are we getting shots? Do I have to go to the dentist?" My answer to every question was a loving and compassionate, "We'll talk about it more when we get in the car". The questions kept coming, and so did my canned reply. The cookies I strategically placed between their seats were the first clue and this time I answer their question..."We have an...APPOINTMENT FOR FUN!!!".

It's not often that I get to spend time with the boys without nagging them about getting dressed, doing homework, hurrying up, etc., etc., so this was a welcomed opportunity to spend some non-twin time with my two big boys. I already had a plan (yes, even FUN needs to be planned these days), but was waiting for the boys to make the improbable suggestion. When they excitedly asked where we were going I told them that they get to choose. Garrett's reply was, "this is the second best day of my life!". When I asked why it wasn't the first he explained that the BEST day was when dad took them to Legoland instead of school. And my response? "Why can't WE go to Legoland?" They wiggled and squealed in their seats as I- known for the parent who says "no" to pretty much everything- suggested we go to Legoland instead of taking spelling tests. I have to say, it is more fun being the "nice" parent. So we were off...

The boys talked on the way about all the things they wanted to see and do. And we got to have some other unintentional conversations too- like who they like (news to me!) and how Garrett thinks girls are bossy. I could finally give them the attention they deserve and how nice it was to sit and just listen instead of rattling off in my head the twenty things I had to do when I got home. Turns out, you can learn a lot from listening and observing. You would think I would already know this- and I do- but it's easy to forget when you're multi-tasking while trying to meet the needs of four kids at the same time.

First, we checked out the shops at the entrance. After that, it was on to Miniland to see the Washington Mall that we had seen in person last year and of course the new Star Wars Miniland. They've seen most of it before, but they studied it anyway. The boys panned for gold, played on the playground without being yelled at to watch for the little ones, we rode the dragon roller coaster and they actually fought over who got to sit next to me! They rode a few other rides, ate junk food, drove cars, built minifigures and bionicles, shopped in every store and even made a trip through the aquarium. They just got to be boys; there was no fighting, no yelling, no teasing and no whining or complaining...just harmonious fun for all of us.

After witnessing their driving skills, I have to say that I'm glad Blake will be driving first...

...since Garrett was more concerned about looking cool.

I loved that Blake pointed out that from below, sting rays seem to smile.

And that even sharks were tired like us and needed a rest.

As the day wound down and I took frequent opportunities to relish the peace and joy we were having, I couldn't help but notice all the intricate and spectacular lego mosaics they have around the park. It occurred to me that so much of my time these days is spent living microscopically- like standing super close to those mosaics- where all I can focus on is the moment I am in while planning for the next.

Most of my time is spent staring at a bunch of colored legos randomly displayed so to speak...but when you take a few steps back you see the beautiful scenery that together those pieces create. You take a macroscopic view.

I've never been a "big picture" person because I'm so literal, but I can appreciate how each of those small pieces that may seem insignificant, misplaced or undesirable in and of themselves are in fact NECESSARY to provide contrast for the picture to be complete. And all of life's frustrations, challenges and stresses are what give it texture and contrast, which is required to see the beauty in it. Who knew Legoland had so much to offer?

And I learned a few other things, too. Like when Blake was feverishly cranking the penny stamping machine in an effort to complete his collection while the park music (a Star-Wars-type instrumental piece) was hitting the crescendo at the same time.

He looked up to me and said, "Mom, do you ever hear music that just makes sense to your life?". I was excited to tell him yes, that I am passionate about music for that very reason, so I knew exactly what he meant. And I learned that Garrett would like to be a Golden Eagle if he could be any kind of bird, and instead of eating small birds, he would take care of them. And that both boys would rather be pirates than knights. How nice it was to have pointless conversation instead of me doing all the talking, or rather telling them what to do.

So the day was a success. I know it was one of the best days of their lives...but it was one of the best of mine too; how special it was to spend time getting to know the boys Blake and Garrett are growing into. And I look forward to these kinds of days again to keep adding pieces to my life's mosaic.