We had a great trip to Portland last week. Ray had some work to do up there so the kids and I went up to play and I'm so glad we did. We went to the zoo, science center, children's musuem, parks, lots of thrift stores (unfortunately no great finds to report), and of course we hit IKEA. We played games -mostly card games with Susan and Bob (my aunt and uncle) every night. Kate was sick one day but other than that we had a great time. We really liked the city and are glad to have family ready to host us at any time. After Ray finished up we headed out to the coast with my cousin Tyler and Cassidy and their 2 little kids. Kate got to play with Kaylie all week so they were pals by the time we got to the beach. We all loved being at the beach. It started off a little chilly but warmed up enough for them to play for a few hours. Ray flew his kite for an hour or so too. I'm sure being so close to a very windy beach he will be looking for a larger kite soon. It was fun to get his out though and Tyler learned how to fly it pretty quickly.
So I have a story to be recorded in Jack's journal. My biggest fear is losing a child, ever since Jack learned to walk/run my fear has increased 10 fold. Well on our way out of the science center I stopped to ask a question at the counter and Kate and Jack kept walking. I knew they did but was only going to stop for a second and thought they would turn around since it was just a hallway and didn't lead anywhere. Kate came back and I asked where Jack was and she didn't know. No big deal I'm sure he's at the end of the hallway. So we walked down and looked around - no Jack to be seen. The only thing at the end of the hallway was a door to exit, a theater with people waiting in line and bathrooms. I started asking if anyone had seen him no one had, I ran outside and asked people - no one had. I started to get very very nervous. I thought the only way he wasn't in this hallway and was gone so quick is if someone picked him up and carried him out. I ran so fast to the bathrooms yelling his name(Kate was so good and could tell I was worried and she pushed our stroller running behind me the whole time), as I came back I started yelling for someone to help me. One guy who had been outside and heard me asking for a child had come in and called a "Code Blue" over the radio and gave a description of Jack and what he was wearing. I have never yelled so loudly in my life. I wanted people to know that a child was missing and to look around. I was calling JACK so loud I'm sure the whole science center could hear me. So then I turn the corner to go back into the exhibit and there he was happy with himself that he had found the shuttle to sit in. What a rascal eh? So I guess there was a back door at the end of the hallway that led back into the exhibits. So he went in the back door and made his way all the way to the front. I was so glad to see him but he was strapped into that stroller quite quickly. I was getting too relaxed about letting him out of my sight anyways, I needed a good reminder of what can happen!
10 comments:
Very scary! I know just how you feel. When Ryan was the same age he went out a church door (in Richmond BC) while I was busy inside decorating. Finally found him half a block away in the community center where he had been taken by the nice people who stopped in the road to pick him up so no one would run over him. I had to wait until the police came, because they were already on their way!!! Then, if I wasn't flustered enough, they actually told me that I should take better care of my child. I managed to get out of the building before I finally started to cry!
Terrifying. I worry about it with my monkey too. My heart was pounding while I was reading your story.
Sorry you had to have that experience, but it's definately a good reminder for us all. For some reason I've had scary "what if" thoughts going through my head lately and keep thinking I really need to enjoy every moment with my kids. I forget to do that a lot!
Ryan and Lindy live in Vancouver now so I'm sure if you end up visiting Portland again they'd love to see guys.
Glad to hear all ended well. He's so adventurous hey! You told the story great (I could almost hear your screams and could see Kate jogging behind in almost as much of a panic!!!). Good journal entry for sure! Glad to hear you had lots of "other better" excitements on your trip!!!
Krissy, that would have freeked me out! I could see me screaming just like you. That reminds me of my friend in NE Calgary of all crazy places. Shes was down town Calgary getting onto that busy C-Train. And she put her little 2 years old on first then turned around to get her brand new baby in the stroller and when she turned around the train had closed and before she could do anything it took off. All she saw was a man grabbing he little two year old by the hand. What a bad feeling eh! So good thing she knew about the "red phones" I guess they can connect to the train for times like this. She immediately got the train drivers attention and he him self ran back to the boy and the man and took the boy into his own hands and returned him to his ancious mother on the trip back. What a long wait as a mother eh. So the moral of that story is put all of you on the C-train at the exact same time, no turning around for a second to grab your stoller! - how ever you do that eh!
-Glad Jack was safe!
I am so glad Jack was okay. Scary! I have the same fears. On another note, didn't you love the zoo and children's museum in Portland. When we went up there for a conference for Bill, Jane and I had a wonderful time exploring all that Portland had to offer. GREAT city! Oh how I miss the Hardy's. Hope all is well with your wonderful family.
Lots of Love
The Sundbergs
So scary!!!! I'm sorry that you had to go through that, but it is a very good reminder to all of us. I'm glad you were able to go to Portland with Ray and were able to do so many fun things!! Give Kate and Jack big hugs for us!! Paige still loves to look at the little picture album you gave her and talks about Kate and Jack all the time!
I'm sorry. Glad it turned out well.
It must be in the rain or something. Gracie did that too me recently as well! We went to Columbus this weekend and I was thinking about you! I miss seeing you every once in awhile. I'm glad to hear that things are going well for you guys. We're toying with the idea of moving to Oregon when we're done here... if you know any retiring dentists... let us know! :)
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