I haven’t written in a while and I felt like telling this tale of my recent adventure with the kids.

About two weeks ago, a friend of mine invited me and the kids to the Franklin Institute. We live about 35-45 minutes away from the Franklin Institute.

I psyched myself up about going. I hadn’t taken the 3 kids downtown to a museum by myself yet in our big van. I knew we would hit morning traffic. We were supposed to arrive there by 9:30. I was proud of us for getting up on time and getting dressed and ready without too much resistance. The morning started off great.

The drive felt long, but all 3 sang songs and talked to each other pleasantly. There was some stop and go traffic totaling about 45 minutes. When we got there, Lucy shouted, “Wow, that was quick!” Glad she thought so.

We entered the parking garage, which seemed small. I don’t know if it was actually small as parking garages go or if our van is just so big. Anyway, I held my breath as we drove around the tight corners looking for a spot.

We found a spot and parked just fine.

“We did it!”

“Hooray,” all 3 responded.

I got them each out of the car and we prepared our backpack. I decided not bring the stroller because Peter has been walking so well. Why, why do I never learn from my stroller mistakes.

We walked together to the entrance to the elevator. The 4 of us all holding hands. It would have been a cute picture.

I took a photo of the parking level we were on. I’m glad I remembered to do that because by the time we had left I had completely forgotten where we parked.

We got in the elevator and all 3 were jumping up and down with excitement.

We went up on level and the doors opened. It was my friend with her two kids. What timing! This was great.

We went up two more levels.

DING. “Okay, here we go everyone!”

We shuffled the kids off and began walking to the desk in the lobby.

“So far, so good,” I said to my friends.

As soon as the word good left my lips, I realized Peter wasn’t in my arms.

“WAIT,” I shouted. “Where’s Peter?!?”

My heart stopped as I spun around.

I watched as the elevator doors came to a close.

There was Peter.

I ran across the lobby. I was no more than 15ft away from the doors.

I caught the first door and slid it open. The 2nd door was heavier and more resistant.

“PETER,” I shouted. I dug my fingers into the side of the door and pulled with all of my might.

“Hi, Mommy,” he said as he casually walked off the elevator.

I picked him up in my arms.

“Oh my God, are you okay?”

I turned back to everyone else. A handful of people were in the lobby watching.

“Wow, you’re a superhero,” one woman said.

Does a superhero cause the problem that they in turn have to solve? LOL.

I felt so bad.

“What a way to start the day,” I said. “Always happens to a 3rd child.”

Peter didn’t seem shaken up at all.

I on the other hand felt like an idiot and a bad Mom. Why did I assume he would just follow us? He’s 19 months old. He’s typically in a stroller when he is in an elevator. He was so excited looking at all the buttons. Those doors were so close to closing. He could have gotten off at another floor and wandered a parking garage. The morning could have gone a lot worse, so I’m grateful for my cat like reflexes.

I feel like because Peter is now walking and trying to talk that I treat him as if he is a little bit older than he is. He can sort of keep up with the other two, so I assume he’ll just follow along. I’ve been lacking in paying closer attention to him. Wouldn’t have happened if I had put him in the umbrella stroller. I was so worried about getting us down there without any issues that I forgot to continue to pay attention. I also figured Lucy or Zachary would have grabbed him for me.

After it happened, Lucy asked me a few times through the day, “Mommy, remember you left Peter in the elevator? Why did you do that?”

Classic 5 year old, reminding me of the things I did wrong!

Lesson learned! When you have a gaggle of children with you, always check the elevator before you get out.