...Continuing on from my previous post about our adventurous day at Legoland this past Saturday.
After our little interactive jeep ride we met back up with Matt and Lucy, who by then, were waiting for us right outside. There was a giant slide near by which featured no line at all, so we sent the kids down it once. There was also a playground area that the kids were interested in, but Matt remembered from our previous visit the humongous playground at the back of the park and suggested we head there instead.
It's funny really, we were barely inside the area when Peter and A.J. rushed off to climb and play. I stalled them long enough to tell them where we'd be sitting, to remind them to stay in the playground area and to please stay together.
By time I got that last bit out they were both at the top of the cargo nets, disappearing up over the edge into the play structure. I looked at Matt. We'd both probably die of shock if the two of them actually stayed together.
He and I made ourselves comfortable on a bench and sat and waited. We gave Lucy a bottle and watched tentatively to see if one or both of our little blonds in BRIGHT YELLOW t-shirts ran by. (The matching colors of the shirts weren't on purpose actually. Peter saw his first during an earlier visit to Target. He'd begged and pleaded for it. We returned a few days later for dog food or something and I decided if I could find a shirt for each of them, that maybe it would be nice to get them both Lego shirts for the day. There were a grand total of 3 options in the store. The two yellow ones and a black one. I really tried to convince Peter to get the black one instead, but he held firm to his original desire and they wound up with the matching-ish ones instead. It was convenient, in that I could find them both fairly easily, but then again it also seemed like 500 kids at the park had yellow Lego shirts from Target on that day. Great minds, I guess.)
Eventually, after we both saw Peter go by in a blur several times I decided to get up and look for his sister. here had been no sign of A.J. since she'd gone in, she clearly wasn't still with her brother and there really was no way of knowing what she was getting up to.
Half of me imagined her hiding secretly some place nobody would find her just for the fun of it. Another part of me expected to see her wandering around crying because she was lost and scared.
I walked across the ground level of the playground and remembered back to our visit here from a couple of years ago. Matt and I had each taken a turn running through the playground with Peter. A.J. had been barely a year old and had largely sat on the sidelines with us. I remember some random lady commented on her big, beautiful Disney Princess eyes. I think I might have taken her up to explore a little bit, but she really had just run back and forth on some of the little ramps that made the playground wheelchair accessible.
I was still thinking of this as I spotted her and called out. She was smiling and running wildly, clearly engaged in her own little world. When I caught her attention she yelled down to me several times before I got what she was saying. "I'm a wolf Mommy!" I finally understood.
Apparently, she was being a wolf.
That kid has something in the neighborhood of three million times more imagination than her brother ever has. This is a "thing" to Matt and I because when Peter was a baby (and our only child) we used to wonder if or when he would start to imagine and roll play and things. Honestly, we're not really entirely sure he ever really has. I mean, I think he has. I hear about him playing pirate and puppies at school (and sometimes an odd combination of both) with his friends, but it's never on the same level as his younger sister.
That girl commits.
But why on Earth a wolf?
When had she ever even seen or heard about wolves?
I stood and watched her run back and forth for a bit. There were a series of blue punching bag things hanging down next to where she was standing. She grabbed onto one several times and took little swings. Random bigger kids kept running through and knocking her off. I can't be sure, but she might have growled at them.
Eventually, I told her to go play and have fun being a wolf. I went to go sit back down.
More time passed.
Peter went by again and again, often the wrong direction up or down slides and cargo nets. A.J. did once or twice too, off on her own little mission. Finally we decided we had been there long enough. I sent Matt to find our little wolf and I sat with Lucy and tried to flag down the blurry Peter if he ever got close. I did, and eventually Matt returned with A.J. He was amused to tell me that somewhere inside the big medieval fort themed playground was a big sign that said No Wolves Allowed. There were lots of signs around the place, of course, reading lots of random imaginary playground dos an don'ts.
And for whatever reason, my little deviant had centered in on that ONE sign and decided to rebel.
Except.... she doesn't even know how to read?!?!
How in the big green EARTH did she know what the sign said?
Did she read it herself?
Did she overhear somebody reading it?
We will probably never know....
We moved on. The kids loaded into the stroller and we made our way over to the Pirate area of the park. This is an area we completely skipped before, because a lot of it looked closed and now that we visited it in the summer, I understand better why. The pirate area, you see, is almost entirely water attractions. Since the last time we'd been to Legoland it was December, clearly it would have been too cold (even in San Diego) for many guests to enjoy the water attractions.
We decided to head on in and check it out. There is, actually, a completely separate actual water park (with a Lazy River and Wave pool and giant slides) at Legoland too. But that costs extra to get into and is really for bigger kids than mine who are much more confident swimmers. This area, however, was perfect for us. There was a pirate ride where you shoot water at targets and other guests as you ride. There was a water plume ride where you ride a little canoe or something. There was a big, wet, multilevel water playground, and there was a wonderful spray ground.
PERFECT.
We skipped both rides and the playground and sent the kids into the spray ground. Peter was not satisfied, but settled to have fun and cool off where I'd let him, rather than throwing a fit. The lines for the rides were long, and while the playground looked fun, it was also crowded and I could think of a zillion ways one of my still small children would manage to hurt themselves. The spray ground, on the other hand was open and close and had lots of room and fun and I could watch them closely without getting drenched myself.
I hadn't brought swim suits for either of them, but I had brought dry clothes, so I told them to go get soggy in their bare feet and clothes and we'd change them to dry clothes afterward.
I didn't have to tell A.J. twice. When we first arrived she seemed concerned that she didn't have a swim suit, but when I told her she could wear her clothes and change to dry things later she was ALL IN pretty much instantly.
Peter took longer. He seemed hesitant and confused and probably was still wishing I would have let him go explore the bigger water playground with the bigger kids. I can't be for sure about that of course, but he is my kid and tends to think about thinks just like I do, and I know when I was younger, that would have been exactly what I was thinking. (Always wanting something just a bit better, never feeling fully satisfied and constantly wishing to be bigger.)
Eventually he settled down and started to have some fun in spite of himself.
 |
| A.J. by that point was a wet mess, but a happy one. Soaked through and splashing away happily. |
Try hard not to think about how her tongue is hanging out in most of those pictures since she's playing in the nasty recycled water. Ew.
If you can't tell, I could take pictures of my kids playing in the water forever. I love the joy on their faces. I love the funny things they do. I love the way the water shows up in the pictures. I love the way the sunlight hits it all.
After a good half hour or so, it was time to go. Enough was enough.
A.J. was going to wear herself out and there was still a lot more park to explore.
 |
| Drowned rat? Hahahaha. |
 |
| Matt and I while we waited on he kids in the water. I always called these "long arm" shots because that's how I take them, but then everybody started calling these "selfies" and so, now I just don't know. |
We dragged our soggy munchkins out of there and eventually got them changed into dry things in a bathroom. Then we headed over to one of the attractions we'd been sorry that Peter had been too young for the last time.
So we waited in line for the kids to drive their little Lego cars. This was easily the longest line we waited in all day, at about 30 minutes. Considering it was a summer time Saturday, that's saying something. Like, we particularly avoided the attractions with the really long lines, and also, that with A.J. and Lucy, we still aren't quite the right ages to really enjoy some of the star attractions (The Dragon and Bionicle roller coaster, for example. I have, actually, been on both of those attractions myself, years ago when I went with my brother to the park. Both are fun, but not anything to cry about if you miss out of them because your daughters are too small.)
 |
| While we waited in line, I noticed what the water had done to A.J. previously slicked back, parted and pulled into a clip and then a pony tail hair. Curly much? |
I helped them both into their cars and moved to join Matt on the outside of the guard rails with the other parents.
The operators turned the ride on and all the kids set off except A.J. She didn't go anywhere.
 |
| The guy went to her and explained that she needed to push the pedal to go and steer. using the wheel. |
Peter on the other hand, was basically racing.
It was ridiculous of course, because he was almost definitely the oldest on the course and for sure, none of the other kids realized they were "supposed" to be racing him.
Back to A.J. she had made it approximately eight feet down the track before steering herself directly into the corner (by the little side road which led off the track to the little garage where they park the cars at night) and getting stuck again.
Eventually, the guy came and rescued her again. He backed her up and set her straight. She sat there for a moment before trying again.
I really feel like she went back into the corner at least once more. I can't be sure though because my memory isn't that good and the pictures don't tell me either way.
In any case eventually, she cleared that corner and finally started heading off around the first 180 degree turn at the one end of the little track.
Peter, on the other hand, made at least 3 laps. He did hit the curb once and need pushed out but he just kept going around and around until the time ran out.
 |
| Here's A.J. where she got stuck again, this time between two other kids' cars. This is where she was when the time ended. All totaled, she made it a little less than a quarter of the way around the loop. |
It didn't seem to bother her in the least. She ran happily to get her little driver's license card and then back to meet us.
Weird.
We headed off again. Next we passed the Duplo Village playground area where the kids spent so much time during out last visit. There was another spray ground/splash pad there too. Peter wanted to go play again, but he really was too old for the area and while A.J. might have enjoyed it, we urged him to hold off and see what else there was we could do first.
Then we saw it....
The Lego Movie experience area. As if we hadn't already had enough with that movie, but the kids really are kind of in love with the film most of all right now. And also, outside the entrance was the girl character from the movie and A.J. about died.
We instantly jumped in Line to meet Wild Style/Lucy. Peter started out in line with us, but whined about not wanting to meet her and went to wait with his Dad instead. I think they spent the time staring in the windows of a nearby gift shop at the various sets they had for sale.
So we met Wild Style and A.J. was thrilled. Just look at her! She would tell me later that is was her most favorite thing she did all day.
We went inside next to check out the variety of "sets" they have from the Lego Movie. The kids loved it. All their favorite scenes were there for them to examine.
 |
| Peter with one of the President Businesses behind him. |
 |
| The big construction scene. Emmett is in the middle about to fall into the hole and get the Piece of Resistance stuck to him. |
 |
| The double decker couch. A.J. wanted to know where the sea monster was. (It was probably the only thing from the movie they didn't find.) |
 |
| A.J. checking out the characters running from Lord Business. |
 |
| The one and only Batman on top of one of the high rise buildings. |
You might even say everything about it was awesome, but then again, nobody really needs to hear or sing that song every again. Ever.
(Oh drat, now it's in my head AGAIN!)
From there we took a little ride on the Fairy Tale boats which was cute. After that is was approaching 4 o'clock and it was starting to feel like it was time to decide soon if we were going to stay late or head out soon in search of dinner.
While we thought about it, we took the kids to Miniland to see all the awesome Lego sculptures of Washington DC, Las Vegas, NYC, and other areas.
As we were finishing up, over on the stage area right near by, some people came out to dance and sing. They invited the guests to come join in and A.J. was very interested.
We all went and took a seat on the turf in front of the stage to listen and watch.
On the stage, they kept inviting the kids to get up and dance along. A.J. seemed interested but unsure.
She sat on her heels and just watched for a couple of songs. The rest of us relaxed while we had the chance and waited to see what she'd do. More and more children were getting up to dance around. I asked A.J.a few times if she wanted to get up. I told her it was okay and that I would get up with her or send her brother along if she felt nervous or shy. She kept shooing me away and then finally in the middle of the third song she got up.
She did her thing and danced and twisted and wriggled and it was sweet. Matt and I cheered her on and were proud of her.
I know that I talk a lot about how Peter is so much like me and that A.J. tends to be more like her dad, but I see a lot of my personality in her too. The way that she really wanted to get up and dance, but felt shy and unsure about it and hesitated at first.. I would have totally been like that when I was her age. I remember once being somewhere (one of my Dad's cousins houses maybe) with a pool and everybody was swimming. I really wanted to, but I just felt scared and afraid to get in. It's blurry (or course) but I remember sitting on the steps on the side of that pool staring out into the deep (seeming) water. I really wanted to go in, but I just was scared and overwhelmed. I don't know why. (I don't remember either if I actually ever got in that pool) but it made total sense to me how my daughter hesitated and I was SO pleased for her when she got over it and... dove in, so to speak. :)
So anyway.
It was getting late for real by the time the dance party was over. Much earlier in the day we'd seen these awesome hand print paintings, Caricatures and Letter/Name paintings that were fabulous. Along with the regular theme park fare, they had animal paintings made out of hand prints, and Caricatures where they made you look like a Lego figures and Letters made out of Princesses and Superheroes and things. They were so cute, I really could have gotten some of each and been very happy.
In the end, we decided the hand print animals were the best value because we could get it to include the whole family for the best price and they'd have the kids actual hand prints on them, which I am always a fan of.
Matt decided we would go order ours and then we'd go get dinner in the park since there was a free children's meal with purchase of adult meal special going on after 5 pm while we waited for them to finish it up. We also would go an pick up our cake.
 |
| Totally random picture of Lucy being cute. |
 |
| Another totally random picture of Lucy. This time she was not happy. (I think she was def getting hungry since this was as we were making our hand prints right before dinner.) |
Then we still had a few minutes to waste before our picture would be done. I took Peter to get his picture in these shackles because it just seemed appropriate.
Then I noticed the line for the "Jousting Ponies" was really short so I checked the height requirements and we jumped in line. Then, after about a 5 or 10 minute wait, right as we were about to get on the ride operator made an announcement that in order to ride kids needs to be however tall AND 4 years old. OH CRAP. I had missed that part on the sign.
I quickly started telling A.J. to say she was four. I hated telling her to lie, but she was PLENTY big enough so the fact that there was an age requirement seemed dumb. It didn't matter, whatever I said to A.J. didn't go through. She was confused and when the operator asked her, she looked terrified and slowly held up three and a half fingers. The ride operator told her she was too young and brushed us aside. A.J. wailed. Peter climbed on his horse and looked unsure. Then the ride operator told me to remove Peter's hat and sunglasses too. I did and she shuffled me and my sobbing girl out the exit.
Poor A.J. She was devastated. She loves horses so much.
Peter I'm sure, really didn't much enjoy his own ride after witnessing his sisters disappointment.
When she finally stopped crying she started saying over and over again. "I can be four. Can I ride the horses now? I am four now! I'll be four! Please!!!"
It was awful.
I felt terrible.
Stupid Mommy.
She didn't even see the ride or ask to ride it herself until I saw the line was short at the end of the day and asked her if she wanted to ride it since I know how much she loves horses.
I picked her up and apologized and held her close. Still she was tired and so so sad (at me.)
I offered to put her in the baby carrier. She is right at the top edge of the weight limit now obviously, but she rode in it so much when she was a baby I sometimes thinks she misses it. She still asks me to carry her in it often. I think in a lot of ways, she still wants to be my baby. (She still is, in a lot of ways, and always will be.)
So, since she was sad, and tired, and I knew it would help cheer her up, I put her in.
 |
| She was pleased but didn't give up her pouting. That girl could earn a living with her pouting face if there was such a thing, that's for darned sure. Anybody know if they're casting a new version of Annie or Oliver Twist any time soon? |
Amusement park from open to close with a 5, 3 and not yet 1 year old?
We must be crazy.
But it had been a very good day. (Horse incident not withstanding. Side note: I scheduled her for a real live Riding Lesson tomorrow. I still owed her from the recital, even though she hasn't really asked about it, and this should MORE than make up for it.)
The next morning, the kids were thrilled to check out their new big kid Lego sets.
For real. BIG kid sets. Both of them chose movie sets meant for kids age 7 or 8 or older.
And if you think those age recommendations don't mean anything you'd been wrong. Peter has two smaller 5 year old Lego sets already and he is more than capable of building them himself with very minimal help.
A.J.'s isn't actual too bad.
But Peter's? Ugh. It took me almost 3 hours to get Metal Beard the Pirate together the other day. Peter didn't even try to help. But he sure does enjoy playing with it, so, I guess it's worth it.
And also... my hand print animal picture?
 |
| How cute it that? |
I love it!