This mouse can still fix things, but barely.
So, I'm sure you're all out of tissues after reading about my suffering from Ricardo being gone. But I suppose I should fess up on a little plan I hatched to get me the kids through it.
When we told the kids that Ricardo was going to Ireland, they asked us if he would be coming back. They were not as pleased and certainly couldn't possibly fathom this as an opportunity for Daddy.
Meanwhile, Ricardo started his Spring Semester for his MBA. His classes are on Wednesday and Thursday nights. So, after he leaves for work in the morning, the kids don't see him the rest of the day. And they are left with cranky mommy to put them in bed. The more they stall, the crankier I get. By Thursday night, just two nights of him being gone for just the day - seriously, they see him in the morning- they are crying citing, "I miss Daddy." All that's going on just for him being gone two nights a week. Dear God, what was I going to do with these little chumps when Daddy goes to Ireland!? I was really starting to dread it.
And then, as Ricardo sat and did our taxes, I sat next to him and mentally spent the hopeful refund. I decided we needed to take a trip while he was gone. But not just any ol trip will do - it's got to be huge and total compensation for the misery and despair we were going to endure. Hmm, what can fix anything for a 7 year-old? Kids, we're going to Disneyland in California!
It was a brilliant plan. Why, you ask.
- Because Ricardo swore we were done with Disney trips, but the kids and I didn't.
- Because Mommy can be the good guy for once.
- Because it'll help as leverage with "Oh, I know you miss Daddy, but we're going to Disney!"
- Because we can all use some Vitamin D. It's been grey all winter, no sunshine. We need warmth and sunny skies.
- Because when we step off the plane and get home, Ricardo's plane from Ireland gets in within THREE minutes of ours! How perfect is that!?
And I accept full responsibility for my own personal selfish acts to get to 85 degree weather as soon as possible. Whatever it takes for my babies, and my own selfish needs.
So, I planned a trip to Disneyland for just me and the kids. For the record, the first few days that Ricardo was gone, not even Disney was helping these kids. Max cried himself to sleep for 4 nights, as well as upon waking up and remembering that Daddy was gone. Lucy dealt with it by consoling Max. It was sweet to watch them help each other. By day 5, "We're going to Disneyland" finally started to work.
I pretty much let them do whatever they wanted to do while we were there. That was a bit hard for me. Still, I tried. Because Max actually asked me while meandering through a fairly good crowd on Main Street, "Mom, if this is the Happiest Place on Earth, then why are all these kids screaming and crying?" Heh heh, good point. I imagine it's because their parents aren't as awesome as me, Max. The problem with stereotypical Disney parents is they have a plan and try to make their kids stick to it. It's hard not to feel overwhelmed enough to NOT map out a route, I agree. But it's doable to just wing it. And that's what we did. There were a couple of rides I wanted to make sure they got to, so I pushed a little bit. But whatever they wanted, within reason (Uh, Lucy!), was fine with me.
I must admit, no computer, facebook, and very minimal phone use was divine. It really is sunny California, which we loved. By the time we left though, the blinding sun was getting on our nerves. The kids are growing up fast - they informed me they were there for the rides and souvenirs. No need for parades and shows, Mom. Nice. And there were only particular characters they would need to have their picture with, no princesses. That was kind of sad to see. But then again, they're all grown up and it was so fun and easy to get through the airport and Disneyland!
When the kids suggested they leave the happiest place on Earth to go swimming at the hotel, I almost balked. But then again, since we live in the arctic tundra, the hotel swimming pool - to us - that seems like another fantastic theme park ride. And after noon, the parks were crazy busy. So, we'd go in the morning and ride all the cool rides, then go back and swim, and go back to the parks for dinner and a few rides.
Even better, by the time we had to leave, the kids were actually excited to go, so we could go home to Daddy!
As much as that trip to Ireland was a great experience for Ricardo, that trip with just the kids and me to Disneyland turned out to be an opportunity of a lifetime for me. I know Max and Lucy will treasure it too. Well, atleast Mom's cool for a couple more weeks.
That's how I roll.
