So what does a doula do when they are off call, you ask? Well, thanks to our doula teams, I get to enjoy some family time each week while Lacey holds down our client-supporting fort!
One of the things that my wife, Jessica, and I love to do with our kids is go to Busch Gardens Williamsburg. We first took our daughter last year when she was just over a year old. She was able to ride some of the kiddie rides and the look on her face was pure joy!
I remember waiting in super long lines at places like Six Flags, Disney World, Universal Studios, and Hershey Park when I was a kid, and even as an adult. Now I have realized I derive so much more pleasure from watching her in these environments.
This year, our little “mini me” was able to do and relish in so many more things. The food is now a big hit, as are the animals. She enjoys the photo-op with the Clydesdale horse, trying to sneak in a pat on the nose as she says “cheeeeese!” She especially loves being big enough to experience more rides! The ride experience with a toddler is so unique and simple, yet so amazing.
It starts with the line (thankfully shorter for her size rides!). She holds our hands as we wait, and she points to the other kids on the rides and says “Please! Me!” and giggles and smiles. When it is her turn, she sits next to me, with my arm around her and I say “are you ready?” And she grins and says “Yeeeeeeees!”
Then as the ride swirls, turns, soars, and thrills, she just laughs and laughs, saying “wheeeeeee!” As it comes to a stop, after the 90-ish seconds of abundant happiness, my little angel turns her face towards mine and says “More, Mama, more!!” So Jessica takes her back through the line for turn number two.
We are so looking forward to the Spring and Summer months when our son (now 8 months old) will be walking, and they can both enjoy things together within this land that is so magical to them. We’re so blessed to have such an amazing family, and great places in this community to take our children.
The days spent at Busch Gardens where Jessica and I enjoyed Howl-o-Scream, standing in hour long lines for big coasters, and 7-hour days enjoying the whole park have been replaced by pictures with Sesame Street characters, rides we squish into that go 2.5 MPH, carrying 25 pounds of toddler because her tiny legs get tired, and leaving after only 2 hours because it’s nap time and she is cranky and exhausted from so much fun…and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Looking for more family activities in Hampton Roads? Check out these options.
Authored by: Kathleen Rucka