My best childhood memories

This week I decided to take my two little ones to Disneyland on their last day of summer vacation.   After about an hour and a half in the heat, the crowds and the Star Tours ride, I was toast.   I started to think of ways to bribe the kids out of the park, cotton candy, $50 at the gift shop, I knew it was going to be a war.   So when I looked down at them and asked them if they were ready to go, I was shocked that they both said, "Yeah, mom."  

Modern day parents feel this constant pressure to entertain our kids.    We have them over scheduled in ballet, karate and soccer.   We spend weekends shuttling them between playdates, movies and other  activities.    When I look back at my own childhood, my best memories were on Sundays when the family would pile up in our horror of a station wagon, and we would go food shopping for our restaurant.   We would fill the back with turkeys and roast beefs.  My brother and I would sit in the backseat and secretly tickle our dad's neck.  He would swat at his neck, and Jack and I would giggle uncontrollable.   After spending the afternoon shopping, we would venture off to a new restaurant for our Sunday night dinner.   My parents would complain the whole time, the shrimp were too small or the salad dressing was bottled.   Most of these restaurants were all you can eat buffets, and my parents would make sure to eat their $9.99 worth.   I still remember piling my plate high with ice cream, cookies and sprinkles.  
Our family took many trips and we had many friends.   We had a swimming pool and many trips to Disney.   Just being a family, doing normal things was truly the highlight of my childhood.