We went to a local orchard to pick strawberries today. It was supposed to be overcast, 70 and there was a chance for rain/storms. We got there and found out that it was twice the price for a pound of berries as the place Jenny took the kids two weeks ago. After passing the playground (which cost $5 per child to play on) and the petting zoo, we got to the strawberry patch. All the kids had a basket. Blake and Cora ended up being only kids that stuck it out picking. Jake smooshed berries trying to pick. He also didn't quite get the idea that he should walk along the rows and not through them. (Sorry!). He was constantly asking to go play on the playground.
After about 15 minutes it was hot ( not overcast!) they were all getting whiny and half of them needed to go to the bathroom. Jen trooped off to the bathroom. I kept picking. Jake was getting increasingly irritated with my pleas of waiting for playground :). When Jen came back, we picked for about 10 more minutes and decided we'd had enough. We went to weigh and pay for berries (a again passing the slides with much drama). Jake had a major meltdown getting into car and literally screamed for 10 minutes about playing on the big slide. It didn't matter that we had planned on going to Chick Fil a and a park ( a free one!). There was no talking him down. At this time, it was about an hour past his normal nap time.
We got food, went to park and got out at the shelter. Kids were eating and done in two seconds. As I was attempting to eat my lunch, they were getting restless. The playground was too far away for them to go play without us. Fast forward about two minutes, Jake threw a 3 alarm fit and Noah was being very disobedient. I snapped, said we were leaving and put all of my children in the car. Jake was rigid and trying not to be put in his car seat. Blake was upset for being "punished" for something he didn't do. I was pouting over my "ruined" day.
Two minutes out of the parking lot, Jake was asleep. As I calmed down, I tried to talk to Blake about his reaction. It totally stinks to have to deal with consequences of others actions. But many times in life, it happens. ( it is amazing how many times in my life I have had to learn a lesson simultaneously while teaching it to my children!!!) I told him we could stop at a different park on our way home. He and Andy could play while I talked to Noah about his choices. Jake could sleep and I could sit in car with him while watching them play.
We got to that park and Noah sat and talked to me about his choices and the example he was setting for Jake. He had to remain in car with me for five extra minutes before getting to play.
There were only 5 kids on playground and I easily could see the boys from my car. Jake napped for about 45 minutes, which isn't his normal nap, but enough that he was definitely in better spirits. He woke up and played for another 30 minutes or so before we left.
I was worn out by the time we left. Shew!!!!!
Lessons learned:
1- strawberries picked by me do not necessarily taste any sweeter :)
2- two year olds are very stubborn and diplomacy does not work
3- sometimes Mommy needs a time out too
4- it is all still worth it, despite the tantrums, storms, and plans turned upside down
CB
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