The Trolley Takes a Toll

So this weekend I had the brilliant idea to let the kids experience a piece of Culpeper culture. I had to get them out of the house, since as punishment for leaving lights on, my husband took away all electricity for a day. (Who was he punishing, I ask you?!?)

Since there is not a whole lot to offer here besides the new Kohl's or Target (more my speed), I figured it would be fun to take a trolley ride. We see these big London-esque green and red trolleys all over town and the girls thought it would be a great idea. Notice I just said the girls.

I should have taken the hint when we got to the visitors center and the only trolley schedule I could find was in Spanish. The lady at the desk was not much help, stating sometimes they were on time, sometimes not... she didn't pay attention. We had just missed one as we pulled up so I figured we had a few minutes to spare until the next.

We walked up the street to my favorite local bakery, Knackels, because I knew I would need some chocolate to survive this fantastic idea. I let the girls pick out some brownies and got myself a chocolaty-gooey and oh-so-unnecessary 1/2 lb eclair. This would definitely make the trip worthwhile.

So we walk back to the station and sit down to enjoy our snack... and the trolley pulls up. So I throw everything into the diaper bag and load up the kids. We sit down and Ryker immediately starts squealing (not in delight mind you). The driver makes some kind of comment about screaming kids and I asked her if we should get off now (because obviously she hasn't been introduced to the terradactyl we all know and love as Ryker).

His screaming doesn't stop, no matter how many birdies or cars or anything I point out... no goldfish or juice or yogurt covered raisin will do... so I break out the big guns.

"Wanna bite of Mommy's chocolate?"

And so was the end of my eclair.... it smelled good at least. And it kept him quiet for the twenty minutes it took to get to Walmart.

Yep... that was our big ride. We got off at the stop in front of Walmart and walked over to Burger King for lunch. I sat on pins and needles the whole time in fear I would miss the trolley ride back... its an odd feeling being stranded and depending on public transportation. I realize how spoiled I am when we got back to the bus stop and a lady and her three kids were waiting with their dozen or so bags of groceries for the trolley. I couldn't imagine making this a daily occurrence.

So far so good, right? The girls are having a blast, got to eat junk for lunch and are now playing the guessing game of when the trolley will come. Twenty minutes after its scheduled arrival, the trolley finally shows up and I load my gang onto the bus and we are forced to head to the back because it is much fuller than when we got on before.

I go to pay the 50 cents a person I paid when I got on before and the lady tells me kids are free... would have been nice if the previous driver shared that tidbit.
*the driver would later regret turning down my extra money and consider charging me double!

Kayla and I share a seat with Ryker... and as we pull off, whatever switch he has in his little head that turns him from Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde was activated.

The boy simply loses it, screaming and throwing himself around... hitting me and crying to get down. I use every tactic I know of to calm him down... again with the juice, goldfish, and raisins... nothing! I offer him my phone, which he promptly tosses to the ground with a crash. I sing to him, I point things out to him as we drive around. And he screams and wails and screams.

Everyone on the bus at this point is looking at me and my demon child (with the exception of Gena and Skylar who are in a happy little la-la land where Ryker's don't exist). Poor Kayla is doing what she can to calm the beast.

Ok, I've been the nice mommy long enough... lets break from the story a minute.

As a mom, do you ever get that flash go through your head when you say, "I could seriously abuse this child. If he doesn't stop or someone doesn't intervene, I just might beat him?"

Ok, if I am the only terrible mother, don't tell me. Let me think other moms have abusive thoughts in desperate moments like these.

Back to the screaming... so I sternly whisper in his ear that he needs to calm down, he needs to stop. His response... he throws himself back and bangs his head on the window. Luckily there is karma, and I am spared from having to abuse him myself!

So now we are no longer screaming, we are crying because our little head hurts. He lays his head down on my shoulder for a few brief but glorious moments of silence. People are still staring... I glare back, "Do you have any suggestions?" I am sure they'd like to tell me to get off the bus, but they do instead.

I am counting the stops in my head, trying to remember how many more we have to go from the Spanish brochure. At one point I consider getting off and walking a mile or so back home or to the depot... it has to better if he screams out in the open rather than in the confines of this tiny little bus.

But alas... we arrive at the visitors center. I am almost sure there was a roar of applause that erupted as we exited the trolley. But I can't be certain.

I'm suppose to go to the grocery store after this little trip. Needless to say, we don't make it. We head straight home, Ryker straight to bed and Mommy straight to nap time. I apologize to my girls for my attitude and mood and explain that it is certainly not their fault. And in the next breath I warn them that if they are loud and wake up the baby or more importantly, ME... abusive thoughts will again re-enter my mind.

So I nap... for what seemed like days, but more closely, 30 minutes. I get up to the familiar prehistoric screams of my son... Its ok, I'm rested and ready for more.

When I go downstairs, I am greeted by three wonderful little girls who have swept and cleaned up the kitchen for me. They have also left me little notes telling me they love me...

At least they are old enough to recognize when Mommy is on the edge.