June 2nd - Splish Splash

June 2nd
The day started off pretty good. We all woke up between 6 & 6:30 (thanks to Aud). Everyone bathed and we ate breakfast in the hotel lobby. It was a buffet and we made it through without incident…yeah! I was feeling pretty cocky….didn’t even finish my coffee…I was ready to get the day started.
We were supposed to meet Deb at the Kids Museum at 10a.m. I got directions and we headed out. The sky was starting to clear and I mentioned that maybe we could go swimming later (perhaps a mistake, in retrospect). We were all in an awesome mood. Kid Rock came on the radio and we were all singing. I thought, “Who said I can’t do this?”
We met Deb and we went into the museum… and immediately Barrett took off. I mean immediately. I ran after him…it was total sensory overload…load, bright & crowded. Deb watched the other three (at this point, she had no idea what she was in for) and I tried to corral Bear. I went to get my wallet to give money to Deb. Guess what? No wallet! Strangely, I somehow remained calm. I kept thinking…if it’s not here…it’s at the hotel, right? So this is what consumed my thoughts as I chased Bear around….and he was really being a jerk. He was so pissed that I insisted he hold my hand…literally a tug of war.
Eventually we make it to a room with one entrance where they cold all play, while I stood at the exit, trying to catch up with Deb – all the while, wondering where an the hell my wallet was. As for the wallet I figured it was in: 1) the car 2) the parking garage/sidewalk 3) the hotel lobby or 4) the hotel room.
Then, over the loud speaker, there was an announcement that a special guest had arrived….Elmo! Oh Good God. So we go off in search of Elmo. Unbelieveablely, for this…all four were awesome.
After an hour and at least one escape attempt by each of the older three…we were out of there. I raced back to the hotel with my stomach in knots….trying to figure out how I’d get out of Raleigh with no bank card, cash, credit card or drivers license. Road Trip cut tragically support by my dumbassness. But fortunately, the wallet was at the hotel.
There were a number of other aggravating instances today…due to whining, fighting, and trying to find a place to eat that would satisfy all of us. I don’t want to rehash. ..but will mention the damn elevator and the knockdowns over WHO WAS GOING TO PUSH THE BUTTONS! Damn!
It was hot and humid and every time we were at the hotel…it started raining, so no swimming. We headed to the Kaufman's in the late afternoon to swim and have dinner. But by the time we got to their house it was thundering and lightening. Audrey kept asking to go to the pool and every time she said “pool”, Barrett put his shoes on.
Deb & Marc’s kids, Hannah & Noah, are beautiful! And they were very sweet…especially to Barrett. On a scale of 1-10, Bear was about a 6.5. He was pretty wound up, for sure….and he left his calling card in their toilet (which Noah complained about-not that I blame him!). Nice dinner…salad & pizza. I was getting ready to say our goodbyes on a good note when I looked out the window and saw that Barrett had jumped the metal, spiked fence and was swimming in their neighbor’s pool!
Cammy still has a cold and he’s pretty miserable. Next trip – I’m definitely getting two rooms…one for them and one for me. Can’t relax when they’re all running around like little assholes.
Quote of the day: Hunter – “What is your problem!?” After Audrey described the Barbie that Hannah gave her as having a nice bum but her boobs were stuffed too big. Not sure where she’s getting this?
Praying for a calmer day tomorrow. Heading to Maryland!