My only thought was to get the three kids across the beach, down the block and into the car before the dark ominous thundercloud broke and
drenched us all. We'd been hearing thunder on and off in the distance all day, but this menacing cloud meant business. Austin was uncharacteristically in the front of the pack when we reached the top of the sand dune. South Beach, Miami was a different animal when we had first arrived this afternoon.
The crowds of overexposed 20 somethings (and many of those that, in fact, only dressed like they were in their 20's) that had innocently enough spent the afternoon blatantly ogling each other were now out on the prowl. Music blared from the beach side hotels. Police cars were in abundance. Drinks were out and the party had definitely already started. It was, after all, already 5 p.m.
Austin suddenly stopped, dug his heels into the sand and put both pudgy hands straight out in front of him and shouted, "STOP!" When I looked back to acknowledge him he looked deep into my eyes and proclaimed, "We...have...got...to...DANCE! NOW!" (cue broadway Singin' in the Rain prelude...gotta dance!) Despite the impeding storm, I humored him for a second. "Sure, go ahead. Show me your moves." With deliberate slowness, using the same tone I often use on him, he explained, "Not here mama. With the music!" I looked up and saw the rowdy, gyrating crowd on top of the nearest hotel. Yeah. That's not gonna happen.
We pulled our wide-eyed children pass the bar crowd, pass the dancing crowd, pass the convict in cuffs surrounded by police waiting for the police transport vehicle, (don't step on the criminal, sweeties...it's rude) pass the man who gestured us into some dark and unmarked building and finally to our car...just one block from the beach. It was only 5 o'clock for heaven sakes! As we drove out of the parking garage the first drops of rain started to pelt the windshield.
While Robert was off at work I took the kiddies to the Children's Museum of Miami. It 
was relatively problem free and the kids enjoyed getting out of the hotel. It had quite a few different types of exhibits (a whole section dedicated to the carnival cruise line. Gee...I wonder who paid for that wing of the building?) This biggest hit was the motorcycle that shook and sounded like you were really riding a hog. My boys were really into that.
Just a side note. The kids have a pretend Doctor's kit that they like to play with. For some reason, whenever Ethan is the doctor, they all refer to him as Dr. Bagel. It's pretty funny. (at least, I find it amusing.) So, voila...Dr. Bagel at work.
At the end of it all I took the kids to buy some groceries. That was a little more stressful. Austin had fallen dead asleep moments before I parked and refused to wake up. After 10 minutes in the frozen food section, yelling at Ethan and Alaina, in vain, not to gobble up the entire free fruit sample tray, he finally woke up. But he was wired. When we finally got to the narrow check out stand, I was a little beyond frazzled. The boys where in the front of the cart, Laina was in the cart and I was stuck behind. The check out girl started chatting with the boys as I unloaded the food. "Hi boys." "HI!" came the reply in unison. "What are your names?" "Ethan!." "I Au'tin" But that wasn't enough for Austin. "I go pee pee! I go pee pee in the Potty!" And before I knew it, the pants were down, the underwear was coming down, and he had pulled out his penis for a show and tell. WHAT?!
"SEE!" He proudly exclaimed. The next couple of seconds are a bit of a blur. I banged the cart around until I could squeeze through and lunge over to the mini-flasher. I pulled up the pants and looked up to a shocked check out girl and bagger. (come on...this is Miami...haven't you seen it all already?) I usually pull a stern face after naughty grocery store antics, just to prove that I am as disapproving as the rest of society of my children's behavior. After my crazy day, however, this was too much. I just started laughing. What do you say? Oops? Oh, his father is also a flasher...so, you know, just learning the trade.
Just think...We've only been in Miami for 3 days...I wonder what the next week and a half has in store for us.
