BACKFIRE

So, last night I had this fabulous idea to take the kids to IKEA. The plan was to act as if this trip was just for the kids to get to have fun in the play area. What nice parents we are! But really it was a way for Mommy and Daddy to get out of the house and have someone watch the kids for an hour for free. I wasn't even planning on making any purchases, it was just to walk around with my husband and enjoy his company. Yes it is a far drive, but in my head it was going to be worth it.

The whole drive over was a disaster. A screaming, crying 4 year old which egged on the 1 1/2 year old to do the same. I was beginning to lose my patience but what helped me to hold on was the thought of arriving at IKEA and dumping the kids in the play place. We were almost there; almost to the place where everyone would be happy at last!

Exactly 3 minutes before arriving, our very bright 8 year old announced, "I wonder if the playground is going to be closed because of the Swine Flu. "

My excitement of going to IKEA was immediately deflated. Why didn't I think of that earlier, like right when I had the bright idea to go in the first place? But no, I didn't think of it at all! Instead, little brainiac, Andie did! I told her that if she was going to realize that fact that I wish she would have done it sooner. I said it in a teasing tone of course. I wouldn't really put that pressure on her.

We park, get out of the car and walk in the store just hoping that the play area was still open. The risk of our children getting the swine flu did not concern us at that moment because of how desparate we were for the peace and quiet.

Sure enough, the doors were shut tight. It was dark inside, and there was a big sign out front stating that for the health and safty of IKEA customers, the play area was closed due to the influenza situation. DANG!

My brilliant plan was foiled and all hope for a nice evening was lost. I wanted to turn around right then and go home, but that would be silly, what a waste of time and gas. Instead, we decided to stay and make our drive well worth it by dragging the same screaming, whining children through the store just for the sake of having something to do.

Taking our children in public 8 times out of 10 ends up enjoyable and we are glad we did it. Old people usually come up to us and tell us what beautiful children we have, but not this time! This time we loudly announced our location in the store as we walked through the maze of home furnishings.

The moral of the story: Never take your children to IKEA when the Swine Flu is around!