Crazy Carnies

The pictures here are from that first trip home from the hospital that my mom made. Remember how horrible I mentioned that week was on her? It was not fun to witness her feeling that bad, but as bad as it was for us to see her like that, I know it was even worse on her for going through it. So, instead of trying to rehash all the bad stuff that week, I'll try to keep this on a lighter note, and with these two crazies to keep me company...that's what it was. 

Do you see the picture of CC sleeping below? That little red strap is to her shiny little whistle on the pillow next to her. It was nearly impossible for her to raise her voice loud enough for us to hear her if we were just out in the living room. Much less if there was any other sound around {ahem 2 boys= guaranteed noise, even at our quietest}. So, our clever Poppy gave her one of his trusty soldier whistles that worked really well. It never failed... Emit would ALWAYS be the first to hear it and carefully go run to the door to check on CC. She was able to keep her humor throughout all this and would whistle it a couple times just to see her sweet Emit come running to check on her. 

After almost of week of rainy/cooler weather that kept us shut in for most of the time, I had to get the boys out somewhere to play. I headed down to the nearest indoor play place at a restaurant, and scored big time at this Burger King one... it was HUGE and had a separate area with tables and doors to block the noise, so I could sit and hang out and still see and hear my boys and not worry about how much noise they made for the rest of the place. I'm pretty sure I gave out a very loud sigh when we walked in here. Mom and Dad never told me the boys were being too loud or anything like that, but I wanted them to be calm and quieter when we were at their place, so I worried over their rambunctiousness a lot. 

As we were playing in Burger King, the boys spotted the carnival across the intersection at the mall. It didn't look like 'much', but to these guys it might as well have been Six Flags or something. I couldn't say no. Up above you see the dragon coaster...I could tell my 'big boy' from my 'baby boy' still on this ride. Emit is not a 'baby' but he is still my little boy and I love that. He wanted to try it out, so I definitely didn't force him on the ride, but it got a little spooky for him. And he is usually my little dare devil, but no with this one. It makes me laugh and frown to see the one that he has his head down, right next to the picture where he is giving me that pleaded look of "Momma Help Me!" He was very happy when that ride was over. Then they found this slide...

 The slides were the big winner on this outing. The rides were okay, but they were typical 'mall parking lot old worn out carnival rides'. Considering my guys didn't know any better it was fine, but it was pretty run down. Luckily, they still thoroughly enjoyed themselves. And man, oh man, the Carnie Crowd.... yikes, without sounding too harsh or judgmental, that could be a breed all of its own. 

 Joss wanted to go on the dragon again... Emit watched from a safe distance this time. They rode in the elephants that couldn't go high, and then on the pirate ship. Joss loved this pirate ship too. Emit and I were good with one trip, and then Joss went again. I was standing right there by the ride, but I felt safer standing next to the ride and letting Joss go solo vs riding with him and Emit standing by himself...when I am in crowded areas... I always envision someone snatching my kids, so I'm always on the defense it feels. I seriously don't know how single parents make it all the time. Hats off to you guys! I hate feeling like I have to choose one or the other or that I can't be where I need to be for both all the time. 

The last and final ride was the super slides. They loved these! They would have stayed here for the whole day probably. The crowd was starting to pick up at this point though and we had been gone a while from the house. It was time to load up in Poppy's pretty white truck (Tacoma-the kind of truck I always wanted as a teenager) and head back to Pleasant Valley Rd. 

The day was a success...they were worn out, slept well and were a little calmer that evening after getting some energy out during the day!