Last week, I planned a special getaway for my family. I’d completed our taxes, and we were due a refund. We were badly in need of some family time, and so I planned a trip to a local indoor water park. What else is refund money good for, right? I mean, really, it was either a family trip or new shoes for myself, and I can’t always be selfish.

I told no one where we were going; just advised each kid to pack an overnight bag. At the last minute, I ran back into the house and grabbed everyones bathing suits. When we arrived, there was much rejoicing and shouting, and we quickly changed and jumped into the pool. On our way downstairs, we spotted numerous kids with plastic wands. Aiming the wands at pictures, treasure chests and movie screens produced amazing effects. The treasure chests opened, jewels lit up, and fairies tumbled through the air. We finally determined that the plastic wands were the reason, and detailed questions led us to the gift shop. We prepared the kids by warning them that, if the wands were at all pricey, we wouldn’t purchase them.

Well. At $15 a piece, that was a price we could live with - for one kid. So we told them we’d buy one and they could share. Except that the wand needed to have a game loaded on to it - for $10. So the wand, made of cheap plastic from China, cost us $25, and we used it for two hours. Two hours during which time the four younger kids fought incessantly over who’s turn it was to use the wand, when it would be their turn next, all served with a side of, “Let me toss myself on the floor so that all in the area will know my agony of having to take turns.”

Yes, indeed. It was a spectacular waste of time and energy, but most of all money. If anyone is going to the same water park, let me know and I’ll post the wand on Zwaggle. Hey, maybe we should have a category here - amusement park paraphernalia. Think of how much money we could save each other!