January 6, 2017

We went to Jingle Rails at the Eiteljorg Museum on Monday.  It was a really fun excursion, and Ozzy was FASCINATED by the trains. 

It was hilarious to see his exaggerated arm motions when a train would go out of sight, and he said, "ALL GONE!!!" with tears in his eyes.  That boy really likes trains...and horses, too!

We were there for about two and a half hours and having fun!  Then it happened.  I'm not exactly sure what "it" was...but it definitely happened.  Poppy started to have a little ginormous meltdown.  She wanted to ride in the stroller, but she didn't want to ride in the stroller.  She wanted me, but she didn't want me.  She told me to "Go Away!"  But she yelled at me when I complied.  Her eyes looked really heavy. 

Like a ticking bomb, I knew we had limited time to escape. 

Then Oz started in.  As Poppy commenced screaming, I began to panic.  Michael carried Oz, and I snatched Poppy up.  He asked if he could take Poppy for me, but like a rat in a maze, I was just focused on how to get out. 

"Just get out, just get out, just get out," I chanted to myself. 

As my walk turned into a jog, I pushed the now-empty stroller at Brenda and Mom from 20-feet away and called out my goodbyes.  My eyes darted around frantically looking for the exit as I carried my huge screaming toddler.  I felt disapproving faces around me. I wanted to plead for leniency, "I know she looks older, but she's only three...and really just turned three."

As Michael offered assistance to me once more, my voice rose, "You take the lead, just get us out of here."  It reminded me of a heist movie.  I wanted to yell, "COVER ME!" while he led the way through the throngs of enemy fire (and stink-eyes).  But instead, I focused on quickly following him on a winding path through the masses...never making eye contact and acting like I couldn't hear a thing. 

I'm coo!  Nothing to see here.  Everything is completely normal. 

When we finally got to the parking garage, her sobs had become inconsolable, and I put her down for a moment to give my arms a break.  She blindly began to run through the garage, and I broke into a sprint when I saw her approaching a traffic lane. 

When I picked her up this time, the crying and screaming suddenly ceased. She wrapped her arms around my neck as tight as she could and clung to me quietly.  It was the best hug ever from my tired little girl. 

"Whassup horsie?"

He did not like the rocking of the stagecoach!

My niece looks like she belongs on a stagecoach.  She's a tough cookie!

One of my other sweet and mischievous nieces!

Now to transition this skill to from the Eiteljorg to our home.  :)

Waiting for a train to pass us at the amazing Jingle Rails display.

Making a fire.  Scary!

Serious conversation with Poppy. :)

Serious conversation with Oz. :)

Michael and the kids shopping at the General Store.

All four of them captured in one picture -- Aargh!  We need Ashlynn though!