The need to scream

When preschool ended last year I was kinda glad not to have to go pick up Adam every day at 10:45am. But more than that I was excited that we would be able to go on more outings since we wouldn't have to wait till then to leave. We didn't do as many outings as I would have liked over the summer. First J lost his job which meant no money for anything we don't have passes to. So we were kinda limited to a few fun places. Second, where as I can take the three kids out and we have fun it can be difficult if even 1 child is cranky even the tiniest bit. I have a double umbrella stroller, but depending on where we are going it can be more hassle than it's worth. A good example would be the Museum of Nature and Science. Some exhibits actually have stairs to get from one section to the next and the elevator lines can be ridiculous!! So anyway, yesterday we met a friend and her family at the zoo. I had all three kids and decided that since girls always want to walk anyway I would just bring a regular stroller, mostly so it could hold our lunch, drinks, and such. A(my nanny girl) does have a wagon but it has zero storage if 2 kiddos want to ride at the same time. I think normally this plan may have been fine, but yesterday there were two things that just ruined it. 1. I had to give Noelle Benadryl about 9am because she was complaining a lot about her mouth being itchy (she had a cereal bar for breakfast that was processed on machines that also process peanuts, but I didn't know that until I got home and looked at the package that night). The medicine made her just drowsy enough, since she was already a little tired, that she mostly just wanted to ride in the stroller once we got to the zoo. 2. A was NOT listening very well and kept walking off without us. She usually does SOOO well when we are out. At one point we were watching the polar bear swim and I looked up and A was gone. She was way in front of us at the river otters. Now it's one thing to lose your own child, but to lose someone elses is NOT a good feeling. It was kinda scary, but I had fortunately dressed her in fairly bright clothing and is was probably only 30 seconds or less before we found her. Well, like I said, we had fun and I am glad we went, but it was kinda exhausting in the end.

Adam was very well behaved at the zoo. I think it helped that he and my friend's daughter were fast friends and attached at the hip the whole time we were there. It was very cute! Unfortunately that has not been the theme this summer. Over the last month Adam's behavior and attitude has become very babyish and disrespectful. He has essentially begun acting like a one or two year old constantly. It is driving me insane and I hate to say it, but I am relieved that school starts in two days for him. Don't get me wrong, I am a little sad that he will be starting full day school and be away every weekday for so long, but he and I are just not doing to well right now. It was this same way right after he turned 3 a couple Aprils ago. By the time preschool was starting the following August we were done with each other and I couldn't have been happier that he would be gone during the day. He and I just do better when we don't have to spend 24/7 with each other. I can't wait for a few weeks to go by so I can be done being annoyed with him and be ready to spend fun time with him again.

He is such an amazing and sweet little boy. Right now I am just beyond the point of being able to appreciate it.