We went into the city last night to do some shopping. Brian needed new cufflinks and had gift cards the holy-crap-did-you-really-just-pay-that-much-for-a-tie men's store. Our stroller is huge and weighs 50 pounds... without the kids in it. We've almost never left home without it, but since it's such a pain to lug down the steps to the train and maneuver down crowded streets, we thought we'd give it a try. We were less than a block from the house when we slowed to a crawl so that Mackenzie could pick up every stick and leaf and Jackson could put on impromptu (music-less) dance shows for the passersby.
Brian: "Do you want me to go back and get the stroller."
Me: "Mackenzie, if you don't hurry up, you'll have to ride in the stroller."
Mackenzie: Walks a bit faster.
Me: "Nah, I think we'll be okay."
Brian: "Jackson, c'mon! Mackenzie, stop licking that!"
Mackenzie: "Mommy carry me."
Me: "I won't carry you, but you can ride in the stroller. Daddy, please go home and get the stroller."
Mackenzie: "Noooooooo! I walk." Starts running toward the train station.
Jackson: "Daddy carry."
Brian: Gives in.
Made it to the station, down the stairs, through the turnstiles, and onto the platform. The train took awhile to show up (the R&N lines are fondly referred to as "Rarely" & "Never"), so Brian stayed busy by pointing out all of the rats coming out of hiding on the tracks. [Insert full body shiver here.] Luckily, our stop is the 2nd one on the line, so it was easy to get 4 seats together. Jackson quickly decided Brian's lap would be more comfortable, so he climbed on up. The train rocked him to sleep.
Brian carried Jackson the three or four blocks to the store and Jackson was awakened by the revolving door. B got his cufflinks, we made the kids walk a little further for a slice or two for dinner, through a department store to search for shoes, back to the train station, and finally the 4 blocks home.
I'm shocked that they did so well. We're still looking into a smaller, single seat stroller for trips into the city, but it's nice to know that, if push came to shove, I could do a quick trip into the city without the stroller if I absolutely had to.
I'm glad you guys made it. We had a similar experience yesterday at the wildlife preserve near Tally (wildlife/city..same thing, right?). We enjoyed our picnic but the trails aren't paved so the kids had to walk. Whining ensued. "Those alligators look hungry. Better not draw attention to yourself by crying." Muhaha.
ReplyDeleteIn Brian's defense, the holy-crap-did-you-really-just-pay-that-much-for-a-tie men's store only gets visited when there are a substantial amount of gift cards involved and/or when a retail outlet/factory store has been spotted!
ReplyDeleteIt was a fun trip, and the story is true! The best part was Jackson falling asleep on my lap. It was like he was a baby again when I carried him the 3 or 4 blocks to the store.
The part you left out was that had we stayed on the train one more stop, we wouldn't have had to walk the 3 or 4 blocks down the street with the kids.
I love you, you're the best!