... it's a good idea to do something different, try something new.
So I used to go to the gym every morning... my kidlets would be at the gym creche & I would be happily doing some kinda group class or PT.
Now-a-days I am training for a marathon... I am usually running while the rest of my family sleep. So I am done and dusted by 730am.
I devised a plan to take my kids to some new activities... one of those being "StoryTime" at our local library. I figured they are both at a good age to enjoy it now.
This is how our first Story Time went down:
Firstly we were late, not because we were actually late... but because I got a little demented stubborn with trying to get a park. There were these 1 hour parking bays and I wanted one... I waited with my hazard lights on for over 15 minutes. Then it got to feeling as tho it was a matter of principal... and I would DAMN well GET one of those parks.... I gave up after 30 mins. Sad I know! The boys sat in their seats patiently reading and colouring in. Joshua did ask a few times "Mum have you got a park yet"... I know, I am crazy. Oh, I could rant and rave about public servants (of which I was one for many years)... and the lack of parking for public facilities... such as a LIBRARY. For Mum's and bubs, and prams... and elderly and disabled... for goodness sake!
So eventually me and the two little ones get into the library... by this time they are (surprisingly) rather ratty... barely listen to the last story.
Then, oh the joy... there is some craft... and while they are busy doing their colouring in... I decide to just super quickly duck out and return our books.
On the way back in I bump into a lady I used to work with in previous life as public servant some 200 20 years ago. Ah can't talk... toddlers that-a-way. I run off.
I get back to a rather anxious Mum who tells me my kids took off to look for me and she was freaking out. Uhm. ok. then. I was literally gone for 90 seconds and they would have had to pass me to get out. Shrug.
So after Joshua and I assemble a cone shaped Kangaroo... and Ben tries to steal acquire some sissors, sticky tape and a few books - we browse the selection to chose some (fourteen.... 14!! to be exact!! ) books to take home.
I try to tell the boys we can only take a few books each... then I realise most of the 14 selected, are ones I have chosen FOR them. mmm, okay, we'll take them all, let's just go now.
I go to the self checkout and proceed to search my purse three times to find my library card, even tho, I know after not finding it the first time... Benjamin has taken out at home and it is lost somewhere in our house. Awesome.
Meanwhile both children are running & squealing a little over at an environmental display that has all these buttons... they tire of that and have a go at the computers.
By this stage I am at the services counter, having a new card issued... and one of the staff members is asking my boys "where are your parents???"... while I stand just 2 meters away ignoring them all. Especially her.
I get my card, which I don't have $3 coin to pay for... because I already put it into F*cking parking... she (lovely library chick) makes a note so I can pay it later as there is no eftpos. Fab!
I call my boys to come with me and return to the self serve counter to check the books out... scan. beep. scan. beep... I hear my 2 year old doing his high pitched (I am very unhappy) squeal... and look down to find he has located the door flap opening to the sunken floor power points and cords for the self serve computers - 3 year old is tyring to pry him from the cords, power... OMG. GET OUT OF THERE!!!
They scramble out of under the counters, and out of my reach... and proceed over to the counter to my right... they hang on to the counter and start swinging like monkeys. I continue scanning the 14,000 books as fast as I can.... and calmly telling yelling at them to stop what they are doing!!! BE QU.IE.TTTT, and BE.HAAAVE, as we are in a LIB.RAAAA.RRY!!! Sheez!
They ignore me. Karma I suppose! Bitch that!
Another staff member comes over and suggests the whole counter may topple over on top of them. I grab both boys and give them a smack on the bum. Yes I do! 3 year old with no nappy and also not usually the one to do such naughty things... bawls his eyes out. 2 year old... who has the padding of a nappy, and IS the one to be very cheeky and naughty... could not give two hoots.
I finish scanning all the books and head to the car. Both children are pushing each other out of the way, as they both try to hold onto my one free hand. I negotiate a free finger on the other had for 2 year old to clasp onto... I almost have entire loss of sensation by the time we get to the car.
Once car is in view, 2 year old is screaming NO to me and decides he is going to go for a walk on his own in another direction. I manage to get everything into the car and bribe encourage kids to come with me and head to the plaza so I can get some books to make me and my life feel kinda normal.
I then ring my husband... who is so very fascinated to hear a blow by blow description of his two precious off spring and their morning shenanigans.
Much like the one you are reading right now... if you got this far!
You ever have days like this? Seriously being a Mumma is such a tough gig.
I am going to have a soak in the bath tonight that's for sure.
Of course they are very happy once home, with all the books laid our in our living room:
Now... next week I promise to park in a sardine can multi story and get to the library bright and early... unflappable... and ready to listen to a few nice quiet stories... before taking my angelic and well behaved children home again... after we borrow just 3 books each. That is... after we have returned all of the 14,000 books we loaned the week before.
sssssiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigggggggggghhhhhhhhh !!!!
Bxo