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August 27, 2001
In a moment of pure insanity my mom and I decided to take the twins and Max to Legoland in California. We could handle vacationing toddler twins and an energetic 4-year-old, right? We hoped so. Anyway, we got this super-cheap package deal and we were off. The good news was, the airplane was packed but nobody wanted to sit by us. Yes, the only two vacant seats in the plane were next to my mom and I, who were each holding a squirming (irate at being confined) twin. Not a fun ride, but the extra seats were a sanity-saver.
So, after a major try-and-entertain-the-twins-so-they’ll-stop-screaming-a-rama my mom and I arrived in California with only minor horrific memories. Unfortunately, though, we had this serious pile of luggage next to us—suitcases, diaper bag, twin stroller, THREE car seats, etc. But we managed to pack it all up and not lose anybody and then heft everything into the rental car bus, then the rental car, then the hotel (upstairs room with no elevator, of course). So, we were sweaty and exhausted but triumphant. Here we were on vacation in California and the hotel (not the Ritz but clean and serviceable) even had free cribs.
My mom, the boys and I were all in one room and Tommy and Jake found slumber parties endless fun. Of course, they had no plans for bed even though it was around 11:00. PM! My mom and I finally turned out all the lights in desperation and the twinners chatted and giggled for a while but finally sat down and then with grave reluctance laid down their little heads. Hallelujah!
The next day we headed to Legoland. Friends had given the park rave reviews, which was what had sparked this insanity. But we soon found out why they liked it: all of the rides in Legoland are interactive. Instead of passively riding kids drive, pedal, squirt, climb, build and more.
The Twinners adored the Duplo Play Town with its’ kids-sized buildings with slides, buttons, water and interesting sounds. The problem was--they refused to leave. We’ll live here, thanks, I read on their ecstatic faces. They’d clearly found toddler nirvana. Eventually we had to rip them out of the playland but not before twin tantrums erupted with gusto. These kiddos are not the boss of me and we’re not staying here forever, I murmured to myself like a mantra.
We moved the tantrum-a-thon towards the water play area and that looked mighty tempting so the twinners eventually cracked smiles. Hint for parents headed for Legoland: bring extra clothing. My boys were soaked—not just wet--soaked. Luckily, it was sunny so they could drip dry without too much discomfort.
Although only four, Max felt the need for amusement park speed. He loved the Spellbreaker, a dual-tracked junior roller coaster, the Lego Technic roller coaster (geared towards preteens) and the Aquazone Wave Racers—a Jet-Ski type ride on water. While Max and I were on the Wave Racers my mom helped the twins blast us with water bombs and they shrieked with laughter. The park was immaculately clean and fun, fun, fun for little ones—and me too. Go if you can.
The next day we hit Sea World, which wasn’t as much fun for Jake and Tommy. But my budding scientist, Max was fascinated. And the boys and I had a great time jumping waves from the ocean later that day. Too soon my mom and I were lugging home our mountain of luggage.
On the plane trip back the last seat to be filled was next to Tommy and I, and a snotty business man glared at us and passed back and fourth three times before heaving a huge sigh and taking the empty seat next to us. He was openly rude, glaring at us and sighing repeatedly whenever Tommy squirmed. Tommy gave him a kick later in the flight and I have to admit that instead of apologizing, I smirked. It may be passive-aggressive to let my toddler kick people that are annoying me but it was oh, so satisfying. ;)
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