(More than) Fourinarow.net

It was another glorious day here in Chicagoland, and since the weekend promises to bring much lower temperatures and buckets of rain, I thought we should take advantage it.  However, we didn’t have all that much time between picking up Jack from school and taking Maria to a birthday party. So, instead of the park, I opted for having the kids play in the backyard while I sat on the deck and talked to my sister.

Why?  Why do I not keep them locked up in cages where they belong?

Minutes before we needed to leave, I was in the backyard HOSING OFF MY MUDDY BOYS.

On the way to the party, I got a call from Dan who told me that he’d had a great, productive afternoon at work.  I was thrilled for him… until he told me that his

success means he’ll be working most of the weekend.  (What he failed to mention is that it started tonight.)

I dropped Maria at her party and -whoo hoo- we arrived within minutes of the party girl, which meant I didn’t have to drag my three boys into SAFARI LAND where I was sure to never get them out.  I had told the boys that I would take them to McDonald’s, so we headed in that direction.

Until I realized I had left my wallet at home.

Moaning, wailing and gnashing of teeth ensued from the back of the van upon my announcement of a detour by the house.  The boys almost starved to death, but we made it there without any disasters.

I wish I could say the same for our experience at the restaurant.

The kids ran to play while I ordered for them.  The STARVING boys stopped playing and met me at the table where they gobbled down their food before running off to play some more.  I sat back in the booth and prepared to surf the web on my iPhone and read the book I’d snagged at home when we went back for my wallet.  Three and a half seconds later, I heard Lukie crying.  LOUDLY.  The hurt kind of crying.  I jumped up, ran over to the play structure and hugged him to me.  When I pulled away to look at him, I saw that there was blood on my sweatshirt.  And in his mouth.  He had fallen and smacked his front teeth on a step.  I brought him over to the table and had him swish with some root beer (I know – I’m a great mom!) so I could look without the blood.  I asked him to show me his teeth and I found that I was able to wiggle one.  Darn it.  More crying.  (Not because it hurt, I think, but because he was sorry for himself.)

I called Dan and told him what had happened, then I hung up and called the dentist where I left a message.  I didn’t think there was much I could do, but I figured better safe than sorry.

As I waited for the dentist to call, Sam and Jack continued to play while Luke alternated between playing and coming over to me so we could mutually mourn his mouth.

The dentist called back, said not to worry too much, and to see him for x-rays on Monday – just to be sure things aren’t worse than they seem.

I called Dan to give him an update and expected him to tell me he was at home or almost there.  But, no.  Instead, he reported that he had JUST GOTTEN BACK TO THE OFFICE after having worked most of the afternoon close to home.  Lovely.

Having more time to kill before Maria’s party ended, I bought the boys some ice cream.  Jack did great.  Luke looked pathetic, but thankful.  Sam tried to eat his bottom up.  All of them were a mess by the time it was over.

I’d had enough.  We headed back to Safari Land to get Maria.  I steeled myself in the parking lot and lectured the boys on staying with me, not touching anything, and behaving.  Not trusting Sam, I carried him while herding the other two.  We located the party and I tightened my grip on Sam, put Luke in a chair, grabbed a bowling ball away from Jack, and had Maria change her shoes and thank her hostesses.  No time for small talk with the moms – not with four kids in a place like that.

Somehow I managed to get everyone outside, in the car, and buckled up.  Whew.

As I headed the van toward home, Dan called.  “Need me to do anything?” he asked, finally having made it home.

Nice timing.