Passport, please!

After waiting a month for Brad to have some time and apply for Avery's passport, I gave up. And rather than drag all three kids with me to a crowded room for hours on end, I hoped that if I went early enough I could get in and out before Jayden's school got out (and before Jackson did too much damage).

So today was passport day.

The office was in one of the worst strip malls I have ever seen. And, of course, I ended up parking at the wrong end of the mall. Avery had fallen asleep in the car so I lugged her and her car seat into the mall (no stroller) hoping that she would stay asleep.

Well, it was a long walk from the parking lot to the mall. And an even longer walk going from one end to the other . . . all while lugging about 50 pounds awkwardly (because, really, those car seats are not easy to carry).

And while waiting for Jackson to catch up every five minutes as he introduced himself to every stranger and every kiddie ride.

(If anyone has noticed a shortage of kiddie rides, I think I may have found the gold mine of kiddie rides! Seriously, they had about four every five stores. I also stumbled upon the Asian black market, so if anyone is looking for $2 shirts or shoes, I can hook you up!)

Finally, we made it to the other end of the mall . . . only to find that the elevator was out of service and we had to hike up two flights of stairs! (Good thing I didn't bring a stroller!)

Our number was 199 and they were on 129. And did I mention I had Jackson and a baby that was starting to wake up?

"That's okay, maybe it will go quickly. Besides, at least I can stocked with juice boxes and snacks." I reassured myself until I saw the sign, "No food or drink allowed." Fabulous.

It got worse. There wasn't an empty seat.

We figured we had a bit of time so we left to eat our snacks elsewhere and entertain Jackson on one of the many rides. Then we hiked back up the stairs and found two seats at the front of the room.

Jackson was actually really good. He sat relatively still and made friends with the people behind us. That helped pass the time . . . until their number got called.

We still had 30 more to go.

I did my best to entertain him, bribe him, whatever, but then Avery started to get fussy and wanted lunch. Of course in the morning rush I had forgotten a blanket. As I stood up with her, trying to distract her, I didn't notice Jackson emptying, yes, emptying the envelope with all the original documents required for the application all over the waiting room.

I gathered them all up with five more numbers ahead to spare, and found Jackson jumping up and down, holding himself.

"I got to go peeee. I got to go peee!"

Have you ever been in such a crisis??

If I left, I would forfeit my place in line and have to start all over again (naturally, the bathrooms are on the other side of the mall). If I stayed, there was no guarantee that we would be seen and done within 10 minutes. And certainly, no guarantee that Jackson could even hold his pee for another minute longer.

So, I did what any other mother would have done, I'm sure. I search my diaper bag for an extra diaper and told him to pee into it.

Fortunately for everyone in the waiting room, Jackson refused and just held himself tighter.

Our number finally got called and it looked like it was going to be smooth sailing through the application process and to the restrooms . . . until the lady noticed that Avery's photos weren't signed.

Are you kidding me??? How could we have overlooked that?

At least we were out quickly and made a bee line for the bathroom (again, on the other side of the mall--and now I am carrying a diaper bag, a car seat, and a baby).

We made it to the bathroom and Jackson needed help. The restroom was gross, but the toilet was worse. Pee all over it. I had to put my bag and car seat down. While holding Avery, I had to clean the seat and hold Jackson above the seat (there wasn't anyway I would let his bum touch that seat!) and hope he'd go quickly.

And then the water gushed.

What water?? Oh, just all the toilet water from the stall beside us. (Now remember, my bag and the car seat are on the floor, along with our coats.)

Yes, we can say that we had an eventful day.

I just hope Thursday's passport trip is easier! At least I know what to prepare for.