The Dark Side

Matt and I have returned from our quick visit to Dallas. We really had a great time seeing friends and some of the sights of Big D. And, Matthew gave me a run for my money to say the least. Let's begin with us packing to leave on Tuesday. I had originally intended on going for a walk early that morning but thought better of it, and I'm glad I did because it literally took us until noon when Joy arrived to get our act together. Matt was in no mood to play by himself unless, as you see, it was to pull out ALL of the kleenexes from the box. Silly me for thinking I was smart by removing the toilet paper from his reach. There's always something else!

Wednesday afternoon we went to the splash park close to our friend's house, and Matt was loving it. He gleefully ran through the water spraying everywhere and ran into quite a few bigger kids. He's not one to look where he's going. He spotted the swings on the playground, so we did that for awhile until he insisted on having crackers and then we were back to the water. After the water got old he had a grand time running down the hill and having me chase him back up the hill.

Thursday morning Alison, Joshua, Alicia & Tyler and Matt & myself headed downtown to the indoor aquarium. We thought that it would be great fun for the kids. And, for Tyler & Josh it was. First of all, it was crowded. Tons of school groups were there and it made it a challenge for the three of us to maneuver around with strollers. Matt quickly tired of being confined and demanded to be released. He let me hold him for a few minutes but then of course wanted down. It just got ugly from there on. Matthew would not hold my hand nor let me hold him nor return to his seat in the stroller. He didn't care about looking at monkeys or fish or snakes; to him the real fun was running from me as fast as he could through the throngs of people and watching me sweat in the humid environment created for the animals as I pursued him with the stroller in tow. Let's just say that it was very bad Matthew behaviour and a side of him that I hope not to see ever again. If I should be so lucky. We weren't very happy with each other yesterday during our first real battle of the wills in public. It was a nightmare, and bless their hearts, Alison & Alicia saw my misery and decided to end our tour early.

Last night after we got home I recounted all the events for Steven and he was mightily amused. He then asked me what my favorite part of the trip was. And I said with or without Matthew? With would have to be the splash park. It was a hoot seeing him shrieking with delight. Without has to be the night that Nicole made a big group of us the tastiest Italian dinner I've had in ages. The food and the company was a pure treat and I enjoyed myself thoroughly. I'm glad to be home not only to see my husband but also to get that silly boy back on a normal schedule and squelch the demons within.