Tinkertown and Back To Work

We finally made it out to Tinkertown this summer with Lexi. I can’t remember ever going there, even as a kid. I know I must have but nothing other than the ferris wheel you can see from the road looks vaguely familiar. This is normally where I complain about the cost of such a kid friendly place but I have to admit that it wasn’t that expensive. I think it’s bullshit that Mom and Dad can’t share a wristband to accompany their child on the merry-go-round but it was worth the extra $10.50 (the .50 is the vinegar in the wound) so that one didn’t have to go stand beside “the dotted one” every time.

I have to say I was really impressed with Lexi. She wanted to try anything and everything. She is a ride savage. The first ride she went on was the little spaceships. They just spin around and make noise but by the look on her face she was just trying to figure the whole thing out. I figured we should start slow and work our way up but she wanted to go on the roller coaster next so who was I to say no? I went on with her and it’s just a little ride but you get tossed around quite a bit, especially when you weigh 22lbs. I thought fersure that the head bouncing off my ribs would be enough for Lexi to write that ride off but when we got off she wanted to go again…and again…she just couldn’t get enough!

I decided near the end of the day that it was time to try the big pirate ship they hide in the back. It’s the one you see at the Ex that rocks back and forth and gets higher with each swipe until it is basically 90 degrees in the air and gravity itself can’t keep your bum on the seat. Lexi and I were first in line so we sat in the last row where you get the thrill of nothing but sky at your back. We started rocking and I had Lexi half on the seat and half on my lap. As it got higher people started screaming and raising their hands over their head. I kept checking Lexi for tears but every time I looked at her there was nothing but a huge smile on her face. When we reached the highest swoop Lexi raised her hands over her head and yelled at the top of her lungs “WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE”. As soon as we got off she ran to Shannon and asked “can I go with you now Mommy?”.

What a great day.

I accepted a job posting at Victoria Albert school for September and October. I am both excited and uneasy. On one hand it’s what I went back to school to achieve and I will have a steady pay coming in for at least the next two months. On the other hand I am not sure what it’s going to be like not to see Lexi’s face when I open my eyes in the morning and she tells me that the sun is awake. Can I survive the day if it doesn’t start with cuddles on the couch and warm milk? I know that Shannon is more than capable but who will cut the crusts off her toast and make sure she doesn’t drink all her juice in one breath?

There is a little bit of a sick feeling in my gut when I think about all that. Maybe I have been off with her a bit too long? Maybe not long enough.