Mother's Day 2011 was spent in Baltimore. We met up with Dave's sister, Christina, and her family - husband Steve, children Matthew (15), Micaela (10), and Brianna (5).
We met for lunch and had a nice seafood buffet at Phillips Seafood. The kids ate their normal chicken nuggets and french fries :-( and Dave and I enjoyed a wide variety of yummy seafood!!
After lunch we walked around the harbor for a little while. It got more and more crowded as time went on because it was a beautiful day - lower 70's with a light breeze!! Finally some lovely Spring weather!!!
The kids were fascinated with the boats and all the extras. They all desperately wanted to go for a "dragon boat" ride - but none of the adults felt like getting wet or waiting in the line so they lost out this time.
Luke really did walk a lot of the day but there were times as it got more and more crowded that he needed to be picked up for safety purposes. The water is just a few feet away and it is hard to chase him through the crowd. He LOVES it up there and so does Cora - she quickly gets jealous, but she is too big to carry that way for long so she had to be a big girl and walk!!
After walking around the Inner Harbor (pictured below) we went to the aquarium.The kids speed walk (run) through the exhibits - racing to see the next set of big fish. I tried desperately to slow them down but Dave reminded me that they are excited and to let them see it at their pace. I compromised and slowed them down a little so that we actually spent a little time looking at what was in each exhibit.
Cora and Luke LOVE this picture, we had a little fun with it by pretending the shark was going to get us - but I think Luke got scared (or annoyed) so he didn't want to play anymore!
The rainforest is fun but hot, and it was really crowded. It is a lot of fun to do things with the kids but they don't do well in crowds yet so that makes it hard for them (and me). We will need more practice with standing in line, waiting your turn, and not pushing or running past people. They weren't rude but they danced all over the line of behaving and misbehaving all day.
Lastly, was the picture by the shark teeth. They don't really know that these are teeth for a shark or I think they would stay far away from them but it is fun to stand behind it and yell, "Ahh SHARK!!"
Spending the afternoon in Baltimore was fun but tiring. For as old as the kids are getting, they are still little kids. I expected that they should be able to walk for a couple of hours, wait patiently for their food and then the check, walk nicely, wait for their turn, and other adult behaviors. . . I was frustrated when they got tired or pushed or acted cranky. However, when we got back to the car and sat down I realized that I was tired and I that I need to cut them some slack. I need to try to incorporate rest/snack breaks - at least two per hour to help them last longer. I am sure it will keep everyone happier!!
Cora and Luke LOVE this picture, we had a little fun with it by pretending the shark was going to get us - but I think Luke got scared (or annoyed) so he didn't want to play anymore!
The rainforest is fun but hot, and it was really crowded. It is a lot of fun to do things with the kids but they don't do well in crowds yet so that makes it hard for them (and me). We will need more practice with standing in line, waiting your turn, and not pushing or running past people. They weren't rude but they danced all over the line of behaving and misbehaving all day. 
Lastly, was the picture by the shark teeth. They don't really know that these are teeth for a shark or I think they would stay far away from them but it is fun to stand behind it and yell, "Ahh SHARK!!"
Spending the afternoon in Baltimore was fun but tiring. For as old as the kids are getting, they are still little kids. I expected that they should be able to walk for a couple of hours, wait patiently for their food and then the check, walk nicely, wait for their turn, and other adult behaviors. . . I was frustrated when they got tired or pushed or acted cranky. However, when we got back to the car and sat down I realized that I was tired and I that I need to cut them some slack. I need to try to incorporate rest/snack breaks - at least two per hour to help them last longer. I am sure it will keep everyone happier!!It was a fun day and another wonderful Mother's Day. I am very lucky to have such a great family!!!
AND. . .
Happy Mothers Day to my own mother who showed me how to love unconditionally and with all my heart!!! Love you Mom!!!!
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