“Kaden, are you ready for a fun day?” Is usually our question when we have something on the day’s agenda. Bless his heart as a trip to see GG or having Bryson come play is as ‘fun’ as any other. That is the beauty of kids… truly simple and beautiful souls. To please them is a cookie and picking a weed. Kaden is equal opportunity fun- he doesn’t discriminate. Today was different as it was a fun surprise day. Adam and I told him we had a surprise planned for him and we had to go…
We loaded up for a long day. We headed for the mall. It seems every single time we are at the mall he asks to ride the ‘train’ known to most by MAX. Each time he asks he hears about the same answer, which has the bottom line of no. We park in the lot. The train is sitting there. He is fixed on seeing Ta-Ta in the lot. He runs to her.
Moms Law: Child will not ask to do something the day it is planned.
Moms Law is proven true. MAX is parked at the station and he doesn’t notice until we start walking in that direction. Adam tells him he is going on a train ride. His little feet start shifting his weight in his famous Kaden excited wiggle dance. He is clapping his hands, “Yay- yay. Let’s go on the choo-choo!”
We head up. He sits with excitement. He wants to know what every noise is. All I want to know is when the last time the dude in front of us took a shower! He keeps peeking out the window. Ashton likes the passing scene, too. We keep cruising or as Kaden said racing past the cars.
Eventually, Kade grew tired with our train and asked to go on another. Out of luck as this one was a 40 minute ride downtown. Saturday Market here we come…
We all walked around the market for about an hour. We left Ashton with Lynda as the three of us headed out to continue our adventure. Kaden got his wish. We were headed on another short five minute train ride. Our Stop: The Rose Garden.
We get off at our stop. We are not exactly sure where to go. When all else fails follow the crowd. This crowd is mostly pint sized and most are at a fast pace from anticipation. We near the Collisium doors. Kade’s head is on Adam’s shoulder. Nap time. He sets him down. We ask if he is ready for his surprise.
Mom’s Law: Plan a surprise and the child will not be interested.
Kaden had no interest in what we were going to do. He didn’t want to know.
I asked, “Do you want to see Elmo? What about Grover?” His eyes light up. “Gwover? Yes!”
And all the sudden his shoes turned into skates as he wanted into the building. He of course noticed the lights of the concession stand. The sign may as well read: Must Spend $15 to stop. Spend $40 and get a FREE $10 program.
We spent the $15 on an Elmo holding a star that lights up in different colors. He was thrilled.
I do have to back up…
The flashlight was purchased at intermission. He saw the kids in the rows with one. We started losing him as it was a long day and way past nap time. It was a bribe tool to have him sit still and enjoy his show. It worked. I guess the sign should read: Spend $15 and child will calmly watch the one hour program.
Back to our entrance…
We find our seats. We are 15 rows from the stage and 3 rows in. He wanted nothing to do with going onto the floor. He held onto Adam and said, “Don’t want to, Daddy.” I of course revert to Moms Law.
Moms Law: Child will love something until you buy it.
Here we are at the show with great seats. He doesn’t want to leave the stairway. We are told we can walk about and he can see the stage. We go in front of the stage.
He thinks it is pretty neat. We continue to walk around. I show him our seats, 4, 5 and 6 row 10. He says, “Ummm no. Think KK sit der.” Well, ‘der’ isn’t a choice. We have seats 4, 5 and 6 in row 10. I tell him again. He tells me again.
“Kaden, Elmo asked daddy to sit here.” I tap the back of the chair and continue, “Grover wants you to sit here and Zoe said Mama is to sit in this seat.” As if Grover himself told him he leaped into the chair and never asked to leave our three seat section. He sat in his little red booster seat waiting patiently.
Occasionally, Big Bird would come on the loud speaker and give a count down until show time and little reminders about it being dark and not to be scared. Each time his voice was heard Kaden looked up into the air shaking his head from side-to-side to find him.
The show starts… out they come.
Mom’s Law: A child with silver dollar eyes clapping and kicking with glee is priceless.
Out came the crew: Cookie Monster, Abby Cadabby, Big Bird, Oscar, Grover, Tully, Zoe, Elmo and all the others. They danced and Kaden was mesmerized by the Sesame Street drug. He was in toddler Heaven.
It was a cute show. Grover was unable to fly and be a hero. It was up the Fab Four (Abby, Elmo, Tully and Zoe) to be Healthy Hero’s helping different characters in different scenarios. The lesson learned: it takes nutrition, rest and exercise to keep our strength and to be healthy.
It was a great day. We walked back to the train. We met Ta-ta and Ashton there. We all rode home and you boys were quickly asleep. We give a GREAT big thanks to Ama and Papa Church for the gift of the tickets. Kaden surely enjoyed the show and we loved being there with him.
