Overwhelming the Senses

There are a striking number of similarities between a SWAT dynamic entry and the ability of twin 18 month olds to reap destruction and mayhem upon a hotel room. SWAT operators will usually joke that S.W.A.T. stands for Sit, Wait, and Talk because any call out will typically involve hours of sheer boredom followed by seconds of explosive adrenaline pumping activity. More on this in a second...

We spent most of today on the road making our way south to Anaheim where we plan on spending the week with friends at Disneyland. On the way down Yvonne and I marveled at how well our kids were traveling compared to trips we've taken in the past. I'm sure the kids were bored but the combination of snacks and DVD's to watch really helped keep them busy. By the time we got into Anaheim, everyone was hungry, restless, and tired. We picked up some burgers for dinner and checked in to our hotel.

Now the SWAT part...

When a SWAT team makes an entry into a house, one strategy involves a combination of speed and overwhelming the senses of the occupants inside. This usually involves using flashbangs (which emit temporary blinding light and extremely loud explosions), breaking and raking multiple windows on different sides of the house, and causing various other distractions. If you're inside when this happens, you don't really have time or ability to react other than cowering in the corner.

Well, we got into our room and gave the boys each a cup of milk while we tried to put things away. Before we knew it, everything that could be reached went airborne, drawers were flung open, and milk was going everywhere....all in the span of seconds. It was like time stood still as these guys zipped around the room tearing into everything. Nathan pours a puddle of milk on the carpet so Yvonne snatches him up to get him cleaned. I run for towels and as I turn around, Daniel has his milk cup upside down and looks like he's drawing graffiti on the floor (and himself) as the milk pours out of the straw. As soon as you put one guy down, you see magazines flying, pen and paper getting thrown, etc. Overwhelming indeed.

Sit down for a quiet dinner? No way...

Memories...we're creating family memories!