family – Page 33

Two of our nieces spent a couple of their spring break days with us this week, and I frantically searched for something new and exciting for our little crew to do. My husband informed me not too long ago that I had become somewhat boring since I became a mom, but just how does one entertain a tweener, a teener and a two-year-old (still taking mid-day naps) all at the same time?

This is where Amtrak enters the picture, and when I become the “cool” aunt again (if only for a day). I booked four seats on the afternoon rail and we took a short trip just beyond the city limits. It wasn’t a huge endeavor, we didn’t have to back our bags, and the cost was minimal for an experience that was new to all of us.

Part of the fun was experiencing the grand old train station before boarding, so we arrived early to look at the exhibits, architecture and historical photos. Our destination was a cute rejuvenated business district, where we walked to a small family-owned restaurant for dinner. The ride home didn’t fit our schedule, so my husband drove over after work, met us for dinner and drove us all back home.

The trip was a hit for all ages, and I highly recommend this outing if you are lucky enough to live near a passenger rail system. I enjoyed it so much, my husband and I are planning an anniversary trip via rail half-way across the state.

My sister-in-law arrived last night bearing gifts for my son, one of which was a Ken doll — yes, as in Ken and Barbie. He is a half-clad surfer guy with a shark tooth necklace and actual head of hair instead of the old-fashioned molded variety. Yes, this is a very cool dude.

I’m not sure my sister-in-law brought Ken into our home because she thought my son would enjoy it and it might make him into a kinder, gentler playmate; or better yet, to see if she could get a rise out of her “manly man” brother. I just have to say, my dear husband stepped up to the Daddy plate and hit this one out of the park.

My husband eww’d and ahh’d over Ken and even suggested that he might make a suitable bath time buddy. So off to the bathroom they three went, and what a time it was. My husband had to wash not one, but two heads of hair (at our son’s request), demonstrated the fabulous floating technique that Ken possessed and even stripped him of his cool surfer shorts to dry for the next day.

Not knowing if my hubby was putting up a good front for me, his sister and our son, I finally broke down and asked if he was really okay with our son’s. . . well, let’s just say it, “doll.” He responded, “Of course I am. . . but G.I. Joe would’ve been cooler.”

Tag: family

Amtrak Made Me Cool

This Dude’s a Doll