Rainy Day Plans

Well, I'm hiding in the basement as Gabey tries to tell me (via monitor) that he's awake. It's just before 7, and I'm just not ready. It's a rainy day, so I'm guessing there'll be a visit to the library. Here's how it'll go down.

After several hours of build-up - because we don't do anything without eagerly anticipating it for far too long first - I'll force the kids into clothes. Child abuse to make them have both tops and bottoms on, but I'm just that mean of a mommy some times. Anyway, then we'll pile into the car after Gabey inspects the entire garage for interesting things and rings the bell many times on the tricycle. While balanced precariously on the seat and almost falling head first on the concrete, of course.

Then, once in the car, the instant requests for music begin. That's before I've sat down in my seat or even gotten the keys in my hand to start up the car. Why wait for power to the cd player when you could nag ahead of time just to be sure? So, miraculously, the music will come on when the car starts, and peace will reign. Sort of, because the entire trip must consist of dueling conversations between the three of us. It's always debatable whose conversation wins, but there are always three competitors.

We'll get to the library, and Alex will be occupied with whatever menagerie of toys she's brought, so she'll sit in the car playing instead of getting out, then I'll tell her how it's a parking lot and she can't wander away from the car to which she'll respond by wandering away from the car just slowly enough that I can catch her. We'll toddle in, letting Gabey walk until he gets frustrated. I'll heave him in my arms, and when we get to the door someone will be leaving and they'll hold the door, most likely, or almost as likely, they'll rush out and let the door slam into our faces.

Then, the fun begins as I try to look at books and the kids try to look at the same books by stealing them from me and running away to either look for pictures (Alex) or eat them (Gabey). Then, off to run in circles after Gabey in the children's section as Alex picks oout the strangest possible cds and tries to convince me that the video tapes are ok to check out despite our stark lack of a vcr. She'll then grab the closest books on the closest shelf and say they look good and can we read them in their entirety as Gabey runs up the ramp and out of sight for the 17th time. We grab those books, unread, and the crazy cd, and likely a dvd I've picked out that Alex will "never watch" and check out, Gabey balanced on the edge of the checkout desk and trying to grab the librarian, other books, the scanner, the monitor, pencils, pens (ooh, they're the best) and anything else in his path.

Then, books, dvd and cd in a bag, we'll toddle back out and get distracted by something epic like a piece of paper on the floor or a book with a fish on it, and finally back to the car. We must listen to the new, truly awful cd (or maybe it's not - sometimes it's good and I have to add it to the must-buy list. Though mostly they end up on the must return as soon as it's due list.) Then home.

Throw in a bathroom trip where Gabey splashes in the toilet and Alex gets soaked, and that's what we've got on tap for -part- of today. Oh yeah, in the rain.