Atlanta Memorial Day Weekend 2012

We went to Atlanta for the 3 day holiday weekend.  We drove Saturday morning and arrived in time to check into the hotel.  D and I used to stay at this hotel when we would visit in the first few years of our marriage. The grounds are beautiful and have walking trails that are really peaceful.

 We got to the stadium after the game started due to traffic; not a bad thing considering the limited attention span of M.  All the boys enjoyed their first big league game and paid attention through the whole game.

 After the game their was a concert by last year's American Idol winner.  We stayed for a few songs, but the boys were not interested in listening to country music. 

 Saturday was for doing some shopping and relaxing at the pool.  I also tortured the poor children by making them have their pictures taken on the walking trails around the hotel.

 Monday we had one last big activity.....Legoland Discovery Center!  It had information about LEGO, all sorts of creations, a couple of small rides, a 4D movie and LEGO activities for the boys to make and try.

 Lunch at the Varsity Grill was the last stop before we hit the road for home.

Fun.  Relaxed.  Low key.  It was a perfect weekend.  The boys had fun.  D and I had fun.  That doesn't always happen that a trip pleases everyone all the way through.    This trip also helped us recognize some things that help us on the road and try to think how to apply them to other trips this summer.  Having snacks in the hotel room is not only a money saver, but a sanity saver;  at 7:30 (am or pm) no one wants to run out and find something to eat that everyone will like.  Drinks are the same thing; no one wants to pay $2 for a vending machine drink especially when our children eat and drink in mass amounts.  Next trip I will not just set the boys clothes together in the suitcase, but will actually roll their outfits (underwear, shorts, shirt, socks) all together and rubber band it so when it is time to get out clothes for the day I can just toss each boy a roll for the day.No digging through the suitcase for pieces.  I used to pack each child a backpack of activities for a trip--those days are gone.  Each boy brings a book and their handheld video game.  Most hotels have paper and pens in the room for drawing.  The rest of the stuff just got ignored or lost. 
Our first trip of the summer was terrific and hopefully we can use our new tricks to make all our summer adventures fun for the whole family.
love and hugs, B