Favorite Friends, The Zoo, and a little Wednesday morning DRAMA

For about a month now, my best friend Shealy and I have been planning to get together with the kids over spring break and do something fun. We weighed all of our options and decided that they would come to Birmingham and we would go to the zoo. Will LOVES the zoo (well really the choo choo, but he is halfway amused by the animals too)...Kate had only been to zoolight Safari which is in December when the animals aren't out, so since it was supposed to be beautiful, those were the plans we made. They were set to arrive at our house between 9:00 and 9:30. The night before I had asked John if he would put his car seat into my car so Kate and Shealy could ride with us, maximizing our time together. He pulled my car out of the garage late Tuesday night and made the switch. I didn't think anything else about it.
Will and I were enjoying our morning when I made the mistake about 8:00 of telling Will that Mrs. Shealy and Kate Kate were on their way and we were headed to the zoo! He freaked out...I'm telling you, he loves the zoo. Problem was he wanted to go to the zoo RIGHT THEN. 2 year olds don't understand logistics. I tried explaining to him that as soon as they arrived, we would get in the car and head to the zoo. He cried for about 30 minutes straight saying "Kate Zoo Choo Choo." He even went and got his shoes and sat on the bench. Then he went to the front door and just stared out and said CAR!!!! I was about to lose it-those of you with children know how the crying of a child can put you on edge.....so I decided that I would just put Will in his car seat and he could wait in there and I would clean out my car or something until they arrived (at this point it was 8:45, so I knew they wouldn't be much longer). We walked out to my car when I realized it was locked. I never lock it in the garage but since it was in the driveway, that made sense. I proceeded to leave Will crying by the car while I ran back inside to retrieve my keys. They weren't on the bench, they weren't on the dryer, they weren't in the bathroom, they weren't in the kitchen (common places my keys have been known to "land") and then it hit me....yesterday when I got home I pulled into the garage, got out, and went to get Will out of his seat. I placed my keys right by his car seat and got him out. I never lock the door because again, it is parked in the garage. Well, John didn't know my keys were in the car, so he locked it when he finished with the car seat. I run back out to the car and sure enough there sit my keys right next to his carseat with my purse and camera in the floor board. So Shealy and Kate are about 15 minutes away and all of my belongings, including every car seat we own, is locked in my car. I began to panic a little-my sweet friends had just driven all this way only to arrive to a crying, mad baby and frustrated momma with no way to leave. I called the police department and they directed me to Pop-A-Lock, a company that comes out to unlock your car. They promised they would arrive in 40 minutes or less. Meanwhile, about 9:10 Shealy and Kate pull up. Will's cheeks are stained with tears, he doesn't want to calm down...the poor thing just wants to go to the zoo. We let them play outside for a bit on bikes and choo choos and finally about 50 minutes later, Pop-A-Lock arrives and all is well (except for them setting the car alarm off as they unlocked the car with Kate right in front of the car-to say it scared the poor thing would be an understatement!!!!). About 15 minutes later, 2 strollers are loaded, suckers are in both kids mouths, and we were off to the zoo. Don't you hate when mornings start out that way??? It is like the mood for the rest of your day has been set by the chaotic mess that ensued the first part of the morning.
We did manage to have a great time at the zoo-The Birmingham Zoo is opening up a whole new renovated part called Trails of Africa April 1st, but they were doing a sneak preview this week and I think it is going to be so nice. The elephant was out so we were able to see him up close and personal, the tiger paced back and forth in front of Kate and Will for the longest time, and the monkeys, giraffes and zebras did not disappoint either. Of course the best part for the kiddos was choo choo ride at the end! My favorite part was spending some long overdue time with my precious friend...We sooo miss the McKinnons...they were my favorite part about Auburn :) Please come back soon!!

"Aubie!"

Come on Momma!