This is one of many photos that would put me out of the running for Mother of the Year.
What started out innocently enough soon turned into not such a great idea.
How about taking the kids to the zoo on St. Patrick’s Day? The weather was to be perfect, it is Spring Break week, and we all just needed to get out.
So off we went this morning, hoping to beat the crowds. The Detective is getting transferred so couldn’t come with us. We did not beat the crowds. We squeezed into a parking space where both cars adjacent to us were on the line. We couldn’t get Slim out on his side, so I had to climb in and hand him over. Then after getting the stroller loaded, we were on our way to the entrance. The lines were long. Really long. So we decided to get a zoo membership. That line was not long. Things were going fine until some woman that thought she should have been next launched a verbal protest that I was being helped. I’d been standing there for about 10 minutes. She had walked up about 1 minute before her tirade. Ok, we get our passes and head on in. We did the whole tour of Australia (knowing I was not going to do Africa this time) and then hung out in the Discovery Barn. That was where things started to go awry. Slim decided he was done with the stroller and Bubba decided he wanted one of those smashed pennies, but a different one that I had just gotten for him. Then Peanut and Slim want to get their faces painted. Of course I have no clue where that happens. After wandering around aimlessly searching, they decide the carousel will be an acceptable alternative. So we all get ready for that. Bubba picked a lion, Peanut a tiger, and Slim and I went on whatever the animal was in between those two. Slim does not like carousels apparently. It was a REALLY long 2 minute ride. (See photo above.)
And as you can see from the photo, I felt the desire to photograph more strongly than the desire to comfort my baby. And there’s poor Peanut, trying to do the right thing without losing her balance. Maybe her maternal instinct is better than mine? And she’s only nine.
I did make up for it by buying a bunch of crap in the gift shop though. That counts for something, right?
I am not Mother of the Year.
Nor am I taking all three kids to the zoo without another adult. That was too much for me.
Off to take a nap. Hopefully Peanut can hold down the fort for an hour or so.
Me and Jackson are always up for the zoo also. Which would make almost 3 adults to 6 kids.
Talk about Mother of the Year, my kids (or I) have never been to A ZOO of any kind. Planning on SOMETHING this summer…hopefully…if I don’t happen to read this post again between now and then!
We got a zoo membership too so we can go with you sometime. Although five kids and two adults might not be that much better odds! We got there right at 9:30 when they opened on Monday and didn’t have to wait in line at all. Guess everyone was waiting to go on Tuesday!