Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Playing the Waiting Games

A few weeks ago, we needed to use our kids free tickets to our local theme park.  These can only be use on weekdays, so I talked Ryan into working from home, watching Faith while I took the rest of them to ride roller coasters and waterslides all day. 

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It was hot and humid (for here) and there were looong lines.  Everyone was grouchy and complaining. 

So I got awesome.

For your parenting pleasure, I am sharing with you:

Stuff to do while waiting in lines with your kids at theme parks

1.  Download the Have You Ever app on your phone.  Ask your kids questions like:  Have you ever acted like a dog the whole day?  or Have you ever run outside in your underwear?  Avoid questions like “Have you ever passed gas on your brother?” (because you HATE body humor) or Have you ever kissed more than one boy in day?  (because your kids do NOT need to know the answer to that question).

2.  Have a dirtiest feet contest.  (Congrats, Emma!)

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3.  Play on the rope that goes along the line, fall off, hit your head and then hit your brother because you’re mad and need to target it at someone.  Oh wait.  Just Jane played that game.

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4.  Have a craziest face contest.  Take pictures, send them to the parent “working” from home and have him judge.

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Bonus if you get your judge to send one back to you:

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5.  Stupid Water Bottle Tricks:

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6.  Play the Can You Take Small Enough Steps That You Never Stop Moving Forward In The Line? game.  Ignore the annoyed looks from people as they watch all 5 of you shuffle forward in slow motion.  They don’t have 4 kids to entertain, do they?

 

If you employ my genius, I guarantee kids who go from this:

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to this:

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13 comments:

heidi said...

i hate body humor? i didn't know that about myself. i better go change a few things on my blog.
and i can honestly say i have never kissed more than one boy in a day. a weekend is a different story...

Annemarie said...

You are good. I probably would have just gotten really impatient and started yelling at everyone.

Rochelleht said...

Brilliance.

Carie said...

All very good tips.

Robin said...

I want to stand in line with you!

Elizabeth said...

You are an awesome parent! I lose my patience when I have to wait for anything... thinking about waiting in long lines with four little ones makes my neck itch. You rock in the parenting stakes.

Elizabeth said...

You are an awesome parent! I lose my patience when I have to wait for anything... thinking about waiting in long lines with four little ones makes my neck itch. You rock in the parenting stakes.

Camden said...

You are so funny :)

Cami said...

Excellent, Jessica!

Lisa-Marie said...

it's pretty sad that I could probably win the dirtiest feet contest.

what great ideas. sometimes being fun and patient is a lot of work. but always worth it in the end. (mostly!)

Christie said...

You are my hero.

Lauren in GA said...

Our computer has been in the shop so I was so excited to rush over to your blog when we got it back tonight...

...and this post did not disappoint ☺...

I wish I lived with people that hate body humor. My life is kind of like living in a locker room...only with really filthy carpet as opposed to industrial tile.

So...have you ever kissed more than one boy in a day? heh, heh, heh...

I love that Ryan sent a picture back to you. I also love that he isn't the type to leave lip prints on the clean Pyrex dish. I am sure he was good enough to clean it up and put it back.

I also love the slow moving forward game. And you are so right, the people in line don't have 4 kids to entertain. Relax people.

Bottom line...you are funny and fun Jessica.

Melanie said...

Hey, I seem to recall long ago you posting about your system for chores in your family. Would you mind posting a link to it? (Or am I crazy and there never was such a post?) Thanks!