Williamsburg Trip

The family is finally back after a week long trip to Williamsburg, Virginia. It certainly was quite a busy trip and Ben was really a trooper with all the activities we had planned on a daily basis. I am pretty proud of him!

We met up with Nagypapa and Nagymama Sunday at the Wyndham Patriots Place timeshare my Uncle gifted us. We went out for dinner and mostly relaxed discussing plans for the next day. Ben was absolutely thrilled exploring the new space, but I believe he was a little confused although happy that his Nagypapa and Nagymama were there.

On Monday we visited Colonial Williamsburg. I think Ben loved getting on the bus from the visitors center to the site and back the most, as riding a big bus (he is really into school buses) is just the coolest thing to him. He did enjoy running around the magazine and was quite interested in the large barrels that were located on the second floor of the building. Ben also really liked looking in the different buildings and running around in the garden that was behind the building that had all the spinning wheels (the name of that building is escaping me now). He also enjoyed seeing the horses and oxen. We didn't allow him to pet the oxen, but he did thoroughly enjoy petting the horses and was quite gentle with them. After lunch Ben was pretty exhausted so our little family headed back to the timeshare place while Nagypapa and Nagymama explored more of Williamsburg.

On Tuesday we headed back to Williamsburg to look at the hospital and some area shops. Ben was pretty unsure of the hospital and to be honest the hospital freaked me out a bit. The shops of course were fun to gander at, but as anyone that has a toddler...you learn to look quickly at things.

Later that day after nap time we went to the indoor swimming pool. Ben surprised us after being such a fish in Miami to now being afraid of going into the water. We tried coaxing him and showing how safe he would be, but he wasn't having any of it. We decided that maybe he was too cold in the pool so we would try the hot top (without the bubbles) since it was just more warm then hot. He enjoyed that much more as it wasn't as massive and the steps were not as deep for him to step into. It just goes to show that toddlers frequently change their minds on what they like or what they don't like. I am not sure why he isn't liking pools as much right now, but hopefully with our summer pool passes we will get soon...he will soon be over his fears. We of course will take it slow. It could change again very easily.

On Wednesday we headed down to Norfolk. I loved seeing the water and Ben was quite impressed as we passed different water beds while we drove over the bridges and was pointing out all the different boats he saw. We took a tour of the Navy Base while we were there, which included another bus ride. Ben was quite happy riding the bus yet again! He loved looking at all the different destroyers and other various ships. He would point to them and call them "boats". After our tour we headed down to the harbor and had a delicious lunch outside. The weather was perfect and we even had a nearby quacking duck that Ben was enthralled with. After a quiet drive back and later that night, the entire family went to Christina Campbell's Tavern in Colonial Williamsburg. Ben was pretty good for such a nice sit down meal and I couldn't of been more proud of him.

On Thursday Amy and Ty were to arrive later in the afternoon, so we planned an easy morning/afternoon activity. We went to the outlets for a while and did a few other little things that each of us wanted to do. Once Amy and Ty arrived we headed out to the indoor pool once again. Ben still was not having us take him deep into the pool, but happily played with us on the first two steps. He's a boy that likes control! : )

Friday was an extremely fun day. We had planned to visit Busch Garden's with the entire family. The boys both really loved the Sesame Street portion of the park. I rode several rides with both my nephew and son. Both boys had the sweetest smiles and giggles as they explored all the different things to explore and do. Ben was star struck once again in meeting all the Sesame Street characters (Elmo, Big Bird, Grover, Zoe, Cookie Monster, Bert and Ernie) and loved hugging each and every one of them. His little smile in seeing each of them and how thrilled he was has not yet left my mind. After we explored the Sesame Street portion of the park it was time for lunch and we all agreed to eat in Germany. As we headed into the German section of the park, we found a quiet, serene balloon ride that the boys wanted to ride. My sister and I were both a little surprised that parents could not ride, so we let the boys ride together...alone. It was the first ride Ben has EVER rode alone and I was nervous. I think he liked having that bit of freedom riding alone and did perfect! Once we made it to Germany it was time for one of their shows. Both Ben and Ty were eyeballing the performance and probably wondering what the heck was going on, but were awesome sports and very attentive for two little toddler boys. After lunch we headed to the bi-plane ride, which both boys got on very nicely. Ben did not quite get the concept of pulling the stick up (or maybe he did and didn't want to) so his plane would go up in the air. He rode by himself in the allies plane #7. In the next ride he rode with his cousin so he could go up in the air. That was a mistake. He hated the height and cried most of the way. Poor guy! He does have some height fear, but it depends per situation. I felt badly, but I wouldn't of known unless we tried. Next we rode a boat ride, which Ben was not too keen on. He didn't cry on the ride but he was not thrilled either. We attributed to him being tired, so after a semi melt down our family decided to part with my sister, nephew and parents as we were going to take Ben back to the timeshare place to nap. We didn't even make it out of the park before he was passed out in his stroller, so instead of leaving we went back to the German food hall and let him nap peacefully. After his nap we met up with the rest of the family again and rode a few more rides. Ben really loved the train ride and did great on it. He did however require that his Dad or I hold his hand, which one of us was going to do anyways, but it was still sweet.

Saturday was our last day and man I think I was already exhausted from the long day before. We all decided to visit Jamestown. The boys really liked the Indian village. Ben LOVED running from house to house looking at all the different settings. Next we went to see the ships, but Ben was having no part on going on any of them. I am not sure why, but he was fearful so we didn't go. After everyone else explored the ships we went inside the fort. The boys both enjoyed looking at houses, but in my opinion I think they liked the stage area that held the cannons the most. Jamestown concluded our trip and made our way home escaping the hot, humid air to the comfort of our air conditioned cars.

Williamsburg was a lot of fun. It was certainly busy, but I think trips like this in showing Ben a new place he has never been too is important. I am sure we will be back someday as he gets older. I am glad to be home, but glad to have another set of wonderful memories to look back on.