Crocodile Tears

I rarely take the kids to daycare. This is a) because Spencer always used to cry when I dropped him off and b) it meshes better with Hubby's schedule. I’m also not one to dwell on crying children, or sick children, or whatever the case may be. I’m just not one of those moms. Once I know my child is in a safe place, I tend to put it out of my mind. What can I do while I’m at work? I know that five minutes after I leave they’ve put it behind them. If one of the kids feels sick, I get a call.

But as of Monday, I am the primary take-the-kiddos-to daycare-er. Hubby’s hours have changed, and rather than drop them off in the wee hours of morn, I have graciously offered to start taking them to daycare on MY way to work. It’s not that big of a deal, really.

HOWEVER. A lot has been made for Spencer about going to Busch Gardens this week. Usually they go to my in-laws’ house on Tuesdays, but instead this week Henry will be going to Grandma’s and Spencer will be going to daycare so that he can partake in a field trip to Busch Gardens. He is EXCITED! About this. Sunday morning we drove out to get his preschool pass (all children under 5 are now allowed in the park for free) so that he would be ready today.

He really wants to go on the roller coasters (I blame Phineas & Ferb), and we had to have multiple conversations with him about his not being tall enough to ride those rides, and there would be plenty for him to do otherwise. He would not be dissuaded. Monday morning he wanted to go to Busch Gardens, and started pouting when AGAIN we told him it would be Tuesday. I gave up, and took them to daycare, and he seemed fine. But then I went to give him a hug goodbye and he was CRYING! Not that whiny, get-me-out-of-here crud that I can ignore because it makes me crazy, but sweet quiet tears hitting his jacket. I felt so bad! He wouldn’t even hug me (Henry was at that point waving at me like “why are you still here?!?”) Hours later, still it weighed on my mind. I just wanted to go home and get him even though I know it was completely out of his mind. I don’t know if the crying was because I was leaving him or because he couldn’t go to BG. Probably the latter.

Here’s to hoping that today is better. You know, since he can go to Busch Gardens and all. Let’s also hope we don’t have to have any more you-have-to-be-four-feet-tall conversations. Just because Phineas can do it doesn’t mean you can. He built the roller coaster, too.