The next time I remember going to see the lights was about a month before Richie and I got engaged. I spent some of my Christmas break with him and his family before heading on to SG. We walked around Temple Square and were "that" couple, you know, ooey-gooey in love. He had mentioned before that he was starting to think about marriage, but this was the first time he said with absolute certainty that he wanted to be the one to take me to the temple.
Last year, we came to Temple Square with Richie's family and had a grand time. Plus there were plenty of helpers to watch the kids so Richie and I actually got to hold hands as we ooohed and ahhed over the lights.
I've been so excited to take the kids this year. We planned our night perfectly based on weather, possible crowds etc and it totally paid off. Not too cold, not too many people, it was going to be fabulous. However, Richie had a long day at work and then I made him drive in the SLC traffic. He about has an aneurism every time we're downtown. Strike one.
We finally found parking, ate our picnic dinner in the car, and took two kids potty in the "wilderness" because there weren't open facilities anywhere. I was expecting the kids to just go nuts over all the lights, but their reaction was lack-luster. We made a pit stop in the visitor's center to see the Christus statue and take another potty break. Strikes 2 and 3?
By this time, both kids were antsy and angry about being the stroller, so we stopped at that one fountain that looks like a giant seashell (c'mon, you know the one I'm talking about) and let the kids run laps around it since it wasn't too crowded. It was about then we happened to see some old friends who have just had their first baby. It was fun to meet their little guy and catch up, but only one of us could talk at a time since the other had to do laps with the kids. And then it happened. I should have seen it coming. I took my eyes of Miles for about 2 seconds and then he was gone, lost somewhere in the mass crowds. Luckily the panic was short-lived and we found him, but he got a firm scolding. About as firm as you can make it in a public place. Both kids were shoved back in the stroller and our friends made some comments about how challenging kids can be, and as I glanced at their 4 month old baby who hadn't made a peep the entire time I thought, you have no idea. Strike 4.
Richie had hit his level and started heading towards the car. Luckily I convinced him to let us at least see the reflection pool. Both kids thought it was cool, but threw major fits upon finding out they weren't going to be allowed out of the stroller any more. That's our cue, we thought, and we started moving. I've stopped counting strikes by this point.
We had planned to do some sneaky, quick Christmas shopping at the City Creek Mall, but Richie was firm this time and we headed to the car. As we walked back, I mourned what was supposed to be a magical night. We got the kids strapped in to their car seats in a hurry because by this time of night, the crowds were coming and people were waiting impatiently in line for our parking spot. The already frazzled Richie felt rushed by the crowds and made a quick exit, right into the front bumper of the car parked next to us. We circled the parking lot, giving me time to write a note. I put it on their windshield and got back in our car, and then we both realized that the car we bumped was parked illegally. It wasn't even a spot!! We thought about taking the note back, but instead wrote a post script telling them that next time, they should think about parking in an actual spot.
Needless to say, the ride home was silent. So I guess not every time you go to Temple Square is magical. Kids sure change things, don't they? You wouldn't guess the truth about the night we had by looking at these pictures though! Good thing I filled you in with the reality of things.
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5 comments:
We are in the same phase of life. This is why going on a date without children is pretty much the best thing in the world. Everything suddenly seems so calm and beautiful.
Love the purple door. I had a neighbor once who had a purple door and it really worked with their house. Everyone knew that house as, "The house with the purple door."
Yikes! Did you ever hear from the owner of the car? You need your big sister there with her family so that Tay, Tucker, Henry and Ilah can run around with the kids!
I'm so sorry that this wasn't the experience you had planned, but I'm glad that in the past you have experienced how romantic and beautiful Temple Square CAN be during the holidays, or any time really. (Did you know that daddy and I became engaged there.) And one day your children will also appreciate the beauty, wonder and awe of that sacred place. Until then we can be ever so grateful that Miles wasn't truly lost, and that you have added another great adventure to your family's collection of memories.
Rach, I am relieved to hear that you and Richie have breaking points because I have never seen either of you act even remotely stressed out by your kids. And yes, what we envision in our minds is usually met with a figurative slap in the face whenever you attempt to do anything special with our children. Someday, in about 5 years, they will appreciate it.
I hear you! Not every time will be a great memory but you're trying and that's what matters. We've had a lot of those "this is going to be awesome" scenarios that were just complete disasters with the kids but we also manage to have some really great things happen when we don't plan at all! Your kids will appreciate all you do when they're older and you'll have lots of good times to remember regardless of the trips that don't go as planned. :-)
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