Confusion 2011

This weekend we attended Confusion 2011.  Toby and I have been going there for at least five years, but I'd bet closer to ten.  It's my favorite con because of the family-friendly atmosphere.  We know so many people who attend every year that it feels like a giant family reunion of sorts.

The girls travel well and they did great for the most part.  They are in love with elevators and had a blast running on the hotels carpet.  The carpet has giant flowers and vines running along it.  The girls thought it was great to stand on those big flowers! 

Traveling with two toddlers is something.  Their suitcase was stuffed with toys more than anything else.  Of course, the usual medications and "just-in-case" items were packed, but I really eased up on the clothes this time.  I packed loads of snacks:  Gerber yogurt (no refrigeration needed), fruit rolls, fruit cups, apple juice, sippy cups, cookies, and crackers.  Nothing keeps a toddler happier than snacks and some Dora on the iPhone.

Instead of buying a membership, I planned to hang around the hotel.  We sat in the makeshift lobby (yay for construction) and ran the hallway by the meeting rooms.  The girls waved hello and good-bye to everybody.  They met some other toddlers and shared their toys.  Thalia has a bruise/scratch by her eye from catching a table corner.  Calli has one in almost the same place from ???? She didn't cry so the sitter didn't catch what did it.  The girls were totally into the experience.  They even held hands a bit in the hallways (talk about melting a mother's heart!).

Things were going swimmingly until Saturday night.  We headed up to the room and Thalia went in without any trouble.  Calli looked and me and said, "No. Uh-unh."  She then ran off down the hallway.  I let the hotel room close while catching Calli.  Thalia freaked out and closed that little latchy thing under hotel door knobs.  Those actually work!  The man delivering our room service called engineering and a man came with a crowbar.  He finally had to break the bar completely and install a new one.  Meanwhile, I'm holding a very snuggly Calli (Hugs, mama! Kiss!)  and talking through the door to Thalia, who is absolutely freaking out.  We get into the room and settle down with our cold food while the engineer replaces the latch.  Thalia cries for a good half hour and Calli refuses to sit down to eat.  Once the girls were in bed, I settled down with a bottle of Riesling and a bath.  Today, Calli did the exact same thing, but this time I learned to put the other toddler in the hallway before chasing the runner.

The girls were dolls today and even took a three hour nap!  A three hour nap (sing it with me to the tune of Gilligan's Island!)!  We headed out after a nice lunch and caught some sushi on the way home.  They are now sound asleep in bed.