We took the train into central London and then transferred to the tube to get to Green Park. We walked through green park and it was sunny and lovely and the kids ran around on the green grass. Green grass in January is new to me.
My heart started to race and I totally panicked. I couldn't decide if I should run back the way we came, or run ahead the direction we were walking. I couldn't decide if I should shout for help or scream their names. I was the most scared I've ever been about losing a kid, and just ask my family, I've lost my kids before.
It felt like forever but at last there was a break in the crowd long enough for me to see down the sidewalk to the corner where they were huddled with a friendly woman. I ran to the corner and both of them were in tears. They looked so scared, and I felt so scared I started crying too. The woman went on her way and we just kind of sat there on the busy corner for a minute, frozen.
When I finally had my wits about me, and the boys were calm again, we walked back to the bus stop and waited for our bus. I hadn't decided if we needed to take a bus to our next destination or if we should just walk, but a confined space seemed like the right thing at that moment.
We took the bus just a few blocks toward the Science Museum, which happens to be really close to our favorite crepe restaurant. So we had crepes for lunch and then walked over to the Science Museum.
From Chinatown we walked to Covent Garden and the Royal Opera House. I had been to Covent Garden with Miriam earlier, but there were new Christmas decorations up that the kids just loved.
Also- public restrooms in London? SO hard to come by.
So we walked across the street to a Next clothing store and bought him some new trousers. There was no bathroom there, and he was already saying he needed to go again. So I changed him in the fitting room, all the while him loudly saying "I'm sorry I peed my pants Mom. Are we changing my pants? Thanks for getting me new pants..." I stuffed the wet things in the Next bag and off we went.
Fortunately Next is right by Charing Cross, so we hustled to the station to use the toilet, except it costs 30p to use the toilet and I had no cash. So I got cash out of an ATM, but it only accepts coins, so we waited in the queue and bought Eli's train ticket to get some change. All the while Simon whining about how he needs to go again, and me PRAYING that he doesn't pee in his pants again.
Fortunately it all got sorted out, and we got on our train, and I just took deep breaths the whole ride home.
Once we got home we were in a mad rush to get in the car and go pick up Cameron from his friend's house, and since we were already in the car I figured we could stop and deliver some treats we had made for Kayden's family. They kindly invited us in, and while the kids were playing we all noticed a foul odor. Everyone blamed it on Tyler for awhile, until I realized it was Simon. In his new trousers. With no underwear, because I had completely forgotten to put underwear on him when we got home. Sooo yeah. Pure awesomeness.
Well this post was really long. Thank you if you are still reading. And perhaps you are feeling as exhausted at the end of this as I was.