Mini-Adventure

Have you ever needed a little pick me up?  A quick getaway?  Some excitement in the midst of the monotony?

On Wednesday night, Jake said "What if I took off Friday and we went to the Tundra Lodge on Thursday night?"

"Umm....sure.  I guess?"

I didn't want to get my hopes up, but inside I was screaming "YESSSSS!!!  PLEASE!!!".

So he did.  And we went.

:)

We told Carter on Thursday morning that later we would go 'swim'.  Immediately, he started running around saying 'swiiim, swiiim!'.  I got out the picture schedule that we use (occasionally, definitely not consistently) and tried to make it clear that we were going much, much later.  Because really, for Carter, 10 hours is like an eternity.  Saying 'later' just wouldn't suffice this time :)

As soon as I picked him up from school "Swiiim! Swiiim! Dada, swiiim!".  Carter understands.  Don't let his lack of words fool you.

We arrived, and as soon as we got Carter out of the car, he was shouting 'Hooray!'.  Carter understands.

In true Carter form, he absolutely wowed us.  He was so brave, so sure of himself, so confident.

He tackled the steps, bridges, and little slides like a champ.  He showed no fear at all.  Jake and I just kept looking at each other in amazement.

We even went down the big kids water slide.  This is a moment I would be happy to forget.  Carter and I went down together, but he wouldn't sit in his own section (which is good, actually, because he would have slid right through!).  So we were both sitting in one section of a double tube.

Can you guess how this unfolds?!  Carter liked the slide part, but the going under water as we came out of the slide and flipped over part - not so much.  Part of me thought "That's it - we're done.  He's going to grab his shoes and say 'bye-bye' and run for the door."

Again.  Wowed us.  Jake came down the slide - we eased him into the next pool over, and that little stinker was saying "Up, up, up {the steps}! Slide!".  HA.  Such a brave boy.

Unfortunately for him, his mama didn't want to go again :)

Look at this big boy!

We decided that those 6 swimming lessons in the summer really paid off.  Remember our screaming sessions at the pool in Florida?  I DO!

I wish I could forget :)

Here, he went right to the steps and walked in himself.  Not clinging.  Not grabbing.  Not screaming.

Confident.  Sure.  Aware.  Excited, even.

So proud of this little (er...big) boy.  

Growing and changing in so many ways - always showing us that Carter can, & Carter will.  

++++++++

I learned many things during this little getaway of ours.  

I can't explain the look on the other little boy's face.  He's definitely giving Carter the stink eye.
Scrawny kid in the blue shorts, Carter is much bigger than you.  You're lucky he wouldn't hurt a fly.
He's much more tan, too.  Not your typical Eastern European!

For example: some women should never wear a bikini in public.  I just don't understand this.  If you will be grabbing for towels to cover yourself, or spend your time hiding behind large faux boulders or small children - then save yourself from an entire day of humiliation and just go for the one piece.

There, I said it.

Other things I learned:
(1) These water parks are a dang good way to recharge and refuel without taking a full-on vacation - well worth the money.
(2) The moms who bring books to read while their kids play get to me.
(3) I secretly long for the day that I am a mom who can read a book while my kids play.
(4) My kid looks even more adorable in swim trunks.
(5) I'm grateful that I can walk around in my suit without feeling uncomfortable - it made me sad to see grown women so self-conscious and anxious.  Moms - your kids are watching you.  And not just your little girls - but your little boys, too.
(6) Don't dry-shave 4 hours before you swim.  You'll regret it.
(7) Don't ever expect Carter to sleep in because he's extra tired.  Because he'll be up at 4:30a, begging to swim.  And the pool won't open til 9a.  True story.

That's it.

Oh yeah, (8) We're pretty lucky to have a guy who will take a vacation day at the last minute so he can whisk his family away for a mini-adventure.

One Thing I Know For Sure: Just go for the one piece.