You will never believe.....

what my two year old did the other week at the movies. I had taken my kids to the downtown movie theatre for the free summer kids flick. We were running late and as I rushed kids down to the theatre from the parking garage , I accidentally left my wallet, diaper bag, and baby back pack in the van. We got into the theatre just as the movie was starting. Everybody quickly settled in and was enjoying watching "Aliens in the Attic".

After about 30 minutes , I realized the baby had a dirty diaper. Everybody was watching the movie so I thought we would wait til the end of the movie and then change her diaper. Well , she did not like that idea. She began to fuss and cry . I realized I was going to have to take her out to change her. Except that the diapers were in the van; which was on the second floor of the parking garage. I knew the older boys were enthralled with the movie and short of a nuclear exposion would not go anywhere. The two yr old though was another story. He was watching the movie now, but his attention span was as short as ... well a two yr old's. I soon realized that I had the fun task of dragging the two yr old and the baby back to the van to obtain a diaper, and then changing her , before we could return to the movie. I told the older ones I was changing the baby's diapers and not to go anywhere.

Then I took the baby in one arm , and with the other arm pulled the two yr old along beside me. Everything was ok til he spotted the arcade area on the way out. A bunch of flashing lights, and noisy machines proved too irresistible for a toddler. He ran over there and pretended to play all the fun games. All my bribes of candy and popcorn were useless. He was not going to leave the movie theatre of his own free will.

I realized that there was no way I was going to persuade him to go to the van , so I could pick up the much needed diaper. So we went back and forth between the arcade and the back of the movie theatre. Usually after about a few minutes in the back of the theatre, the baby would cry and we would head back to the lobby and game area. And then it happened . We were in the game area and I turned my head for a few seconds. Next thing I know the "claw" game, which my toddler had admired ,had a new novelty to win. My son. It was an oversized game filled with cushions, and regulation size basketballs. So of course the slot to retrieve the toys was larger too. Evidently it was large enough for an audacious two yr old to climb into it. The staff and I were understandably at our wits end. He was inside the game, and they quickly informed me they did not have a key to open the game up. They would have to call the manufacturer or something. In hindsight I really wish I would have taken a picture , but at the time all I could think of was that I wanted him out. I started yelling inside to him that I would buy popcorn or whatever he wanted, just please come out.

Meanwhile , he had jumped into the section with all the toys. He was picking up basketballs, so one of the movie workers said he could have the basketball if he just came out. I guess he heard this because he then threw two basketballs into the slot where you retrieve your toys. I quickly pulled the basketballs out. He then quickly and nimbly jumped into the retrieval slot himself. I then pulled him out feet first. Its kind of what I imagine it would be like to give birth to a baby who is presenting feet first. He was in and out in less than ten minutes, though it seemed like a lifetime while it was happening.

After he came out, he picked up the basketballs and started walking off with a big smile on his face. He had what he wanted. I am not sure it ever really dawned on him , what a crazy , inappropriate thing he did.

My nerves took a little longer to recover. The movie was almost over, so we retrieved his siblings and headed for the van. They were jealous of the basketballs til I expained how he had obtained them. Then they were just in shock. After changing the baby's diaper (finally) , and buckling everyone in the van; I called my dear husband. Of course he did not answer. So I texted my best friend. I forwarded the texts to my husband as well. He finally responded by asking me if I was sure that I was not dreaming this whole thing up. Um no, sweetheart we have the basketballs to prove it. He then called to actually talk to me. He asked why I was laughing about this serious situation. I told him I could either laugh or cry. I chose to laugh. Sometimes you just have to do what you have to do. Next time though, I will not forget the diapers. Oh yeah he is not allowed near claw machines, anymore at least until he is too big to fit into them.