That Was Fun

Dear Charlie,

In August of 2013, we went to San Diego for Ella’s 3rd birthday.  While we were there, I thought it would be a good idea to take you to a park near Grammy’s house that has a train ride.  Right now you are totally into Thomas the Tank Engine.  They even have a little shop at the train station that has Thomas toys to play with while you wait for the train.

The train that was running on the day we went was just a little train with some box seats (like the kind of train on Big Thunder Mountain).  We waited for about 30 minutes to get onto the train, but you were happy playing with the Thomas toys.  Then when we started to board the train, you started squirming out of my arms.  You screamed and flailed about, “NO, NO, LET ME GO, LET ME GO!”  With tears running down your cheeks, you made it clear you did not want to be on the train ride.  I tried to distract you by pointing to the birds and the scenery of the park, but I don’t think you could hear anything I said over your screaming.

Finally, the train came to a stop at which point you turned to me and casually said, “That was fun.” 

One Sunday morning while Daddy was in Texas training with Kay, you had another good idea: lock Mommy out of the house.  While I was in the backyard taking care of Cabo and the chickens, you switched the latch on the back door.  Being the good mother I am, I had bolted the front door shut to keep you kids safe.  Your Dad also pad locked the garage door before he left to keep us safe.  I was completely locked out of the house, and none of our friends or neighbors had a key to our house.

Fortunately, I had my phone with me, and I was dressed.  It really was a miracle that I didn’t go outside in my under garments like I normally do.  During the month of August in Yuma there is very little motivation to put on any extra layers of clothing. I used my phone to take this great picture of you freaking out after being separated from me for 45 minutes.  (See my reflection in the upper left-hand corner?) I was able to call our friend Stafford and he helped me to open a window and climb into the office.   Why do crazy things always happen on Sunday mornings?  Lesson learned: we now have two neighbors with a spare key to our house. Oh Charlie, “That was fun.”

Love,

Mom