I am sort of feeling a little like gangsta rapper Ice Cube (not the bad movie “Are We There Yet” actor) because today was a good day.
While Ice Cube was happy because he “saw the police and they rolled right past me” my day was spectacular because I wasn’t just Mommy today. No, no, no I was Rockstar Mommy, Superhero Mommy, Better-Than-Elmo-DocMcStuffins-MickeyMouse-D.J.LanceRock-Mommy and all it took was a car wash.
It would seem that the lying bastard Puxatony Phil is being raked through the coals for leading us to believe that spring was right around the corner. Well yesterday it was a lovely 60 degrees in Maryland, and it FINALLY started to feel like spring. At nine in the morning we were out on the playground, spent some time drawing with sidewalk chalk, and finished the morning playing a rousing game of hide and go seek.
It has been a loooonnnnggg winter and I have dug into my Mommy Bag’o Tricks one too many times in order to entertain the kids. You know those kids that can happily sit inside all day and color or make crafts? Yeah, those aren’t my kids and if you have kids like that….I hate you. OK, I don’t hate you, but I am super jealous because both of my kids go bat-shit-crazy if I keep them inside for too long. They start jumping up and down on the couch pumping their little fists chanting “We’re not gonna take it…”
Because my son is Captain Random, I shouldn’t have been surprised when he turned to me (covered in blue and green chalk, mud, and mulch) and said “Mommy, let’s go to a car wash.” A car wash? Really? All of the things we could do on this beautiful day and you want to go to a car wash? Far be it for me to deny that sweet boy from something as simple as a car wash. So I put the dirty little playground kiddos in the car and headed off to the drive thru car wash.
It would seem we were having a Goldilocks moment because the first car wash was too busy. There was a pile up of cars waiting for a scrub. The second one was broken, and I had all but given up hope until we came across a third car wash that had zero line, was in proper working order, and took credit cards for the Mamma that doesn’t carry cash.
When we pulled the swagger wagon into the car wash the kids actually cheered. Cheered! Who needs Disney World when you have a seven dollar car wash?
Checkout my little professor studying the multi-colored soap. Who needs a roller coasters when you are already strapped in your Goldfish encrusted car seat?
And here is Mimi, who was a bit apprehensive of the huge sponge-bristel-washer-things that scrubs the car, but she was digging the rinse cycle and celebrated with a cheerful “Yaaaaaaay!” Overpriced park admission? Not in this family. Sunoco Car wash,baby!
Like all adventures, the joy ended too soon, but don’t worry, I took the kids for a second swing through the wash. They were just as happy the second time around. When we headed home, Monkey made up a song about the car wash and Mimi mumbled along. When they Skyped with my parents that night, the first thing they talked about: car wash. When their dad came home from work, what did they greet him with: car wash.
Tomorrow, kids, Mommy is going to give you a special treat: Home Depot! Take an adventure ride on a stationary lawn mower. Hurry up because there is no line in the rug and door displays! I will even splurge for the souvenir paint chip cards! Take as many as you like!
So, tell me, when you need to entertain the kids, where do you take them?
We had a lovely romp through Sam’s Club the other day — good eats!
YES! Great idea!!! Why didn’t I think of that? Anytime I get food, that is an added bonus.
HOME DEPOT!!!! I’m dying! I hear you on the way-too-long winter. I can’t stand one more day indoors, and yesterday was in the 30s. Damn groundhog…
Anyway, I like to take my kids on “hikes” and scavenger hunts. It’s free, we’re outdoors, and if I’m lucky, they learn a little something. I’ve seen print-outs on Pinterest for the scavenger hunt, but I personalize mine to include our neighbors’ names, their pets, the different color cars on our block, etc. Dorky fun had by all!
Oh you real fancy with your hikes. Now that it is spring, we are going on lots of hikes. I need to make these kids tired!
My oldest daughter (she’s 9) got the biggest kick when I invited her to the pump with me and showed her how to get gas. She bragged to her sisters when we got home. They love the carwash too… It’s the little things isn’t it?
It really is the little things. Anything that keeps them happy, right?
This is great! I used to love going to the car wash. My kids have never gone thru one-so sad. My kids are much older, so to entertain them is not an easy job….the only place I can take all three to and have no one complain is the Japanese restaurant with the hibachi grill. They love watching the chef cook. Love this post.
Great idea!! Yummy food and they are entertained! I am stealing your idea!
Great post! I love the car wash button kids have never been thru one….so sad. The only place I can take all three kids and not have anyone complain would be the Japanese hibachi restaurant – they love watching the chef cook. Love this post.
On Monday my 9 year old had an impromptu day at a friend’s house. That left my 6.5 year old and I at home for the day. “What would you like to do on your special “just me and you day'” I asked. “I’d like to color Easter eggs,” he replied. ‘Cause, you know, everyone likes to color easter eggs the day AFTER Easter, right? Kids are so random. I love it!
Vicky
http://www.thepursuitofnormal.blogspot.com
Whatever makes them happy, right? I would color eggs in December if it kept them busy for awhile!
I didn’t know car washes were so much fun! I’d take a Goldfish encrusted carseat over a dried-gum-and-someone’s-long-hairs roller coaster any day!
Nikki
Ha! Hilar! Us too! Try the car was–well worth the few bucks 🙂
Car Washes seem to be the go to for my one year old! We will keep Home Depot in mind for next year!! haha!
Home Depot and Lowes, always a winner around here!