Today was one of those days that I just felt like I was up for a challenge. I coordinated our schools month long read-a-long and as part of the prizes and rewards the Utah Flash Basketball came and gave all the kids tickets at the beginning and again at the end. We went as a whole family to the first game and it was a total nightmare. Brooklynn and McKenna were a mess, Tyler was out of control, we lost children and we left vowing never to return. (The game atmosphere was really fun and I would recommend attending, just not with my kids!) So when the kids started bugging us to go to this game, we told them no. We had a scheduling conflict anyway and either way only Chris or I would be able to take them and that was just suicide. Today however, for some dumb reason, I just felt like I could handle it by myself and decided to take the kids. Did I mention by myself? Well, the kids came home from school and were relatively well behaved, things were going smoothly until dinnertime and BAM! Meltdown. I was starting to waffle here and after ½ an hour I confessed to Chris that I was planning to take the kids to the game and this was Heavenly Fathers way of warning me and protecting me from the inevitable. He looked at me like I was nuts and agreed, definitely it was a warning. But, I am a glutton for punishment and went ahead and went to the game. (Just to be clear, I was taking all 4 of MY children to the game, by myself!) So off we headed. I am here to report that I MADE IT!!! And that is no small feat, given my mental stability and the four wonderful children God blessed me with. I managed 2 hours and 47 minutes in public without losing my patience, not losing any children, and surviving one complete temper tantrum on the way out. (Brooklynn was insistent upon walking herself. That doesn’t mesh well with large crowds, at night, down lots of stairs on very short, 2 year old legs. So I had to carry her, which she didn’t like and now all the Utah Flash fans know too. One a positive note, lots of people got out of our way very quickly.) Anyway, we had a fun night and we all survived. Things I learned: Give Tyler those plastic, inflatable clapper sticks that they give you when you get there and he’ll amuse himself all night. Make sure you have plenty of food to keep McKenna pacified and you’ll make it through about two hours. Then, keep pointing to the team mascot and tell her if she cheers maybe he’ll come her way. (She loves the team mascot). If you give Brooklynn a new diaper wipe every 5 minutes, she’ll keep quiet for 2 quarters of the game and you’ll have the cleanest spot in the arena. And Lauren, she was just plain good! Which for her, that speaks volumes! But the highlight of my night came when the lady in front of me turned to me at the end of the game and said, "Wow, you have such great kids that listen and stay with you. I don't have a clue where any of mine are right now." (She was there alone too with about 5 girls Lauren-Tyler's age and they were all gone by the end of the game.) She has no idea how this made my day! The only sour note of the whole evening (besides the temper tantrum) was that the Flash lost by one point in the final 1.7 seconds!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
There can be miracles...when you believe.
Today was one of those days that I just felt like I was up for a challenge. I coordinated our schools month long read-a-long and as part of the prizes and rewards the Utah Flash Basketball came and gave all the kids tickets at the beginning and again at the end. We went as a whole family to the first game and it was a total nightmare. Brooklynn and McKenna were a mess, Tyler was out of control, we lost children and we left vowing never to return. (The game atmosphere was really fun and I would recommend attending, just not with my kids!) So when the kids started bugging us to go to this game, we told them no. We had a scheduling conflict anyway and either way only Chris or I would be able to take them and that was just suicide. Today however, for some dumb reason, I just felt like I could handle it by myself and decided to take the kids. Did I mention by myself? Well, the kids came home from school and were relatively well behaved, things were going smoothly until dinnertime and BAM! Meltdown. I was starting to waffle here and after ½ an hour I confessed to Chris that I was planning to take the kids to the game and this was Heavenly Fathers way of warning me and protecting me from the inevitable. He looked at me like I was nuts and agreed, definitely it was a warning. But, I am a glutton for punishment and went ahead and went to the game. (Just to be clear, I was taking all 4 of MY children to the game, by myself!) So off we headed. I am here to report that I MADE IT!!! And that is no small feat, given my mental stability and the four wonderful children God blessed me with. I managed 2 hours and 47 minutes in public without losing my patience, not losing any children, and surviving one complete temper tantrum on the way out. (Brooklynn was insistent upon walking herself. That doesn’t mesh well with large crowds, at night, down lots of stairs on very short, 2 year old legs. So I had to carry her, which she didn’t like and now all the Utah Flash fans know too. One a positive note, lots of people got out of our way very quickly.) Anyway, we had a fun night and we all survived. Things I learned: Give Tyler those plastic, inflatable clapper sticks that they give you when you get there and he’ll amuse himself all night. Make sure you have plenty of food to keep McKenna pacified and you’ll make it through about two hours. Then, keep pointing to the team mascot and tell her if she cheers maybe he’ll come her way. (She loves the team mascot). If you give Brooklynn a new diaper wipe every 5 minutes, she’ll keep quiet for 2 quarters of the game and you’ll have the cleanest spot in the arena. And Lauren, she was just plain good! Which for her, that speaks volumes! But the highlight of my night came when the lady in front of me turned to me at the end of the game and said, "Wow, you have such great kids that listen and stay with you. I don't have a clue where any of mine are right now." (She was there alone too with about 5 girls Lauren-Tyler's age and they were all gone by the end of the game.) She has no idea how this made my day! The only sour note of the whole evening (besides the temper tantrum) was that the Flash lost by one point in the final 1.7 seconds!
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2 comments:
You are my hero, being so brave and all. That is some feat doing it on your own. I'm glad it worked out so well. You have the cutest kids.
Hey I just saw that Amie had you linked so I figured I take a look, cute layout. I just started one not too long ago, take a look when you get a chance. Good job on going to the game and not killing anyone. I gave my tickets to Sheralyn since we were still recovering from the flu, and did not want to take my 4 with coughs by myself. You are a brave woman. Glad you had a good experience, maybe you'll do it again sometime, by yourself, hee hee. Oh and great job on the read-a-thon, it turned out great and the kids had a blast.
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