Don't forget the KEY!

I tried to post this since Wednesday, but Blogger has been down at night since then.  So, finally on Saturday, here we go!

Today started with an early wake up call from the kids, and never seemed quite right from the beginning.  Do you ever have one of those days where you feel like you are out of sync with the universe?  That was me today.  I struggled through our morning routine only to find that if I did not have the car packed up and kids strapped into their car seats in the next 13 minutes, Laney would not be on time to dance class.

Fast forward to me rushing through the house with wet hair, no shoes, makeup bag in hand trying to gather all of the crap the kids would need during the day.  I dashed to the garage followed by a whining Laney to start the packing process and then I heard it:  the metallic click of the garage door locking behind me.  Somehow Laney managed to lock me in the garage as she was crying and pounding on the door.  No phone, no keys, no shoes. Kids locked inside.  Me stuck outside.  After several minutes of trying to talk Laney through unlocking the door I gave up and ran across the street to the neighbor's house to call in reinforcements.  15 minutes later my mom arrived with a key only to find me wearing rain boots (stored in the garage) and watering the pots on the front porch.  Once inside we found both kids crying hysterically, especially Liam who happened to be an innocent bystander in the whole mess.  I managed to finish the packing job, warily keeping 2 doors to the outside unlocked this time, just in case.  We arrived half way through dance class, but made it for the tap dance portion, which is Laney's favorite part anyway.

I try to make sure that I have everything I could possibly need in my car.  I have snacks, wipes, diapers, strollers, lip balms, DVDs, toys, crayons, hair ties, and more.  I over-pack every day, trying to foresee any situation that might come up so I can be prepared.  It seems that in my effort to follow the Girl Scout adage to "always be prepared," I had forgotten to always be prepared

What a weird feeling to be locked out of the house as your children are screaming for you inside.  Helpless and absurd, I almost felt like laughing at the whole situation.  Almost.  I also felt like diving straight to the bottom of a wine glass as I imagined all the things that could have happened while I waited outside.  Sometimes you just get lucky.

The moral of this story:  head to The Home Depot tomorrow and get a spare key made.  Hide it away somewhere good because you never know when a whiny toddler is going to get back at you.  Oh yeah, and always be prepared.