I decided a few weeks ago that I really wanted to take Riley on a special outing before he started school. I had seen a commercial for the Gulf Islands Waterpark in Gulfport, MS and thought Riley might really enjoy going.
Then, at a recent girls dinner, Ashley told us that they had gotten summer season passes for the park and did not regret it one bit. Her son Grant had a blast every time they went, so I knew Riley would love it too.
Kenny was able to take off of work last Friday to join us on our little road trip. After we had eaten breakfast, packed up the car, and put the little one down for a nap, we waved goodbye to babysitter Grandma (thanks again!) and got on the road for a fun day with our oldest boy.
The drive was easy and relatively short, although we did have to listen to the soundtrack to the bird movie the whole way there. But at least that meant I got a break from the Mickey CD Riley has insisted upon every time we get into the car for the past few months. I may have to “lose” that one. Soon.
We arrived at the park just before they supposedly opened and congratulated ourselves on our good timing. However, when we pulled into the parking lot, there were cars and buses galore and the slides and pools were filled with people. The online calendar had obviously been wrong, but we shrugged it off and set out to enjoy our day.
Unfortunately, Riley was not quite tall enough to go on most of the slides, including the big yellow one that he spotted right away and declared, “I want to go on that one!” Kenny and I were so impressed that he didn’t completely lose it after hearing he couldn’t ride on any of the big slides; he took the news in stride.
We mostly hung out in the kiddie area (which had a decent green slide, as well as a slower one that Riley could go down by himself), floated around the lazy river, or bobbed in the wave pool.
Riley had a great time, but as it approached 1pm he had just about had it. He was hungry and “all done with the water park.” That timing couldn’t have been more perfect since it had just started to rain. So we changed clothes, packed up, and headed to a nearby Cane’s for lunch. Man, that stuff is good.
The wonk potatoes was happy playing with his collection of blue trucks on the way home, until he abandoned them in favor of giraffey and then finally passed out when we got to the East. He was one tired boy.
Then, as a very impromptu decision, Kenny and I decided to take both boys to see Planes on Sunday. We weren’t sure at all how the little one would do, but he did fantastically. He was fascinated with all of the colorful animation on such a big screen (he “talked” to the planes a few times…..so cute), and then he finally curled into my chest and fell asleep about 20 minutes before the movie ended, never once getting fussy or crying. Winning.
The movie was cute, but it wasn’t nearly as good as the Cars series. However, I’m glad we were able to take Riley to see it in the theater, even if he may have been slightly more interested in Mama’s Junior Mints than the movie itself.
We rounded out our fun outings on Tuesday with another water activity, the Cool Zoo at the Audubon Zoo. Kelli, Karen, and Bridget were all able to come, too, but it wasn’t quite the relaxing morning I had thought it might be.
Instead of running around and having fun with all of his friends, Riley mostly sat at the table and whined. For almost two hours. (See above picture.) I was at the end of my rope and so frustrated and annoyed with him. Here I am, trying to do something for him, and all he can do in return is whine. Honestly. At least Rory was well-behaved.
All of the fun we’ve been having lately has been for a big reason. As if y’all didn’t know it already, today marks a huge milestone in the wonk potatoes’ life: it’s his very first day of school, PK-3.
Granted, he only goes for an hour and a half (his first full day is on Monday), but still. I’m really going to miss not having him around all the time.
I’m also quite certain there will be many days when I’ll be really glad his teacher has to deal with him and his headstrong ways for seven hours instead of me.
Kenny and I met his teacher and saw his classroom on Monday evening at the parents’ orientation. Ms. Amanda is young and cute, and I’m sure it won’t take Riley long at all to absolutely love her.
Keep your fingers crossed he does well with everything today, including the little photo shoot I have planned for this morning before I take him to school. First day recap coming up next week!
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