This is us pulling away from the driveway on Saturday morning. For the
second time. We are on our way to the zoo. We were on our way to the
zoo once already before this picture was taken. Picnic was packed.
Stroller was dis-assembled and fit in the trunk just so. Kids were
wearing hats and sunscreen had been applied. We got away in such
good time that Hil even had time to stop for a coffee. The sun was
shining and we were on our way. And then came those four magical words
that every parent of a pre-school loves to hear from the back seat: I
have to poo.
Every time I hear those words, I breathe a tiny sigh of relief. Ruby
is no longer a baby and she certainly doesn't eat like one. In fact,
I'm pretty sure that some days she eats more than I do. So any time
she volunteers to use the toilet I'm thrilled because it means that
I've been spared from a diaper change. Not that I mind changing
diapers- I don't. It's just that, lately, changing her diapers is a
task that would be better performed by a hazmat team working in a well
aerated room equipped with a pressure washer and an eye wash station.
Anyway, we turned the car around, headed back home and, amidst what
cam only be described as desperation on her part, sat her down on the
toilet just in time. And then nothing happened. Waited. Nothing. Read
a story. Nothing. Phantom poo. So ruby and I agree that it's a good
thing there are toilets at the zoo and now we are back on the road,
listening to raffi at nearly full volume, and we will still have
plenty of time to see the penguins and visit the splash pad.
So here's the thing. Our pre-departure routine, whether we are going
to the park or the zoo or the other side of the continent, is pretty
much the same. Do we have all the right stuff? Do we have the snacks?
Water? Do we have house keys? And has everyone been to the loo? And I
know we overlooked the last one on Saturday and that it was our fault
that we had to turn around and that because we are the parents, taking
care of the kids' needs is our responsibility. And every time we head
out the door, I think to myself – I should put a checklist up. Not for
their sake but for mine. It could go right on the wall beside the
door. It wouldn't have to be large. You'd think that because leaving
the house such a repetitive and routine part of our lives we'd have
the process nailed down. But we don't.
Anyway – the zoo was lots of fun. We saw 3 penguin chicks. And visited
the splash pad.
3 Ginger Snaps 