Ever Wonder...

Day Out With Thomas 2013

Friday, I took the day off to prepare for the trip.  With Daddy at work and Brooks at school, that gave me and Henry time to pick up some necessities at the store

We also got some time in at the park

Then it was time to pick up the rest of our clan and head to the hotel, which was an upgrade from last year's digs.

The fire pit was nice but the broken a/c, no left turn out of the parking lot (btw, TOWN was on left), and cruise-style add-it-to-the-tab bistro (rather than the old free continental breakfast standby) mean we will probably not stay there again.  Nevertheless, Bennetts were excited!

And tired.  Our room had 2 queens and James and I decided to each share a bed with one of the kids.  But our parental prowess was no match for their brotherly bond.  At midnight, I awoke to James snoring happily away.  Meanwhile, this was happening in my bed:

Day 2

Brooks doesn't really play with trains anymore.  But there's still something about seeing that big blue engine in person that turns his little heart to mush.

James volunteered to push the stroller through the entrance.  Did I mention this theme park is set ON A MOUNTAIN?!

We made it.

Last year, when Henry was still little more than a dribbling mass and Brooks was still scared of, well, everything, we managed to cover Tweetsie pretty quickly.  But not this year...

Brooks took this picture of Thomas.  Just as he snapped it, this dude walked I to the frame, making it look like Thomas is eating the guy's head.  That's probably why Brooks likes it so much.

As the day wore on, children around us were running away or in mid-breakdown, and parents were pushed to their limits; yet we had covered the entire park with nary a tear.  We praised the boys for their good behavior, and smugly congratulated ourselves for being awesome parents.  We headed back to the hotel, where Brooks quickly overcame his fear and was soon paddling his floatie all over the pool, deep end be damned.  And then we laughed at the gods and took the children out for dinner.  And lo, there was a smiting.

Day 3

Time to head home!

While Daddy loaded the car, Henry and I took some selfies

And Brooks got in some quality time with the ever-present iPad

Then, some time on the Blue Ridge Parkway

 And then, we were on our way!

See ya next year, Thomas!