FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2014 - At the pool, Sydney announced that he had to go potty very badly while we were getting ready to leave. Silas trailed behind us a few paces and I kept encouraging him to walk faster so Sydney didn't have an accident. We made it to the women's locker room, which is technically OFF LIMITS to boys slightly taller than Silas, but DID make it to the toilet without an accident. Silas had followed us in. I thought he was right behind us, at the stall door, which I left open for hat very reason.
Turns out, Silas was NOT right there. We quickly washed our hands and drip dried on the way out, wondering outloud if Silas had come through.
"Cute little blonde boy with a blue shirt and towel?" Someone asked me.
"YES!" I replied frantically.
"He's way down there," she announced. "We thought he was part of that group of people, but quickly could tell that he wasn't."
Sydney and I took off, walking as fast as we could, yelling "SILAS! SILAS!" Silas kept walking and was almost to the second parking lot when I started to run, not wanting him to cross the parking lot towards our car and risk being backed over.
Finally, he heard me yelling and stopped. With tears starting to form I his bright, blue eyes, he calmly announced "I was starting to get a little scared there for a minute. I couldn't find you guys."
"Buddy, you CAN'T leave the pool without us!!! If you can't find us, you need to tell a lifeguard and THEY WILL FIND MOMMY for you!!! It is their job to help keep you safe!!! PLEASE do NOT do that EVER AGAIN!!! That really WAS scary!!!"
"So, where we're you guys at?" He asked so matter-of-factory.
"Sydney had to go potty. Remember, we asked you to hurry because Sydney had to pee?"
"Oh, yeah..."
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I did tell them the story how Nana lost Uncle Mike repeatedly at a street fair when we were little kids
once. Uncle Mike kept walking away from the rest of us, being a curious, little kid. He had enough gumption to go back to our car, where Nana continued to find him, squatting next to the car, crying, by himself.
In this case, we had asked Silas to NOT go to our car... Being that he is only three and we do NOT want him to get run over in the parking lot. That would NOT be good. Also, they can use the intercom at the pool to locate us quickly, as well as many of the lifeguards recognizing us from swimming lessons and family pool time together.
I was proud of Silas for remaining calm. I think I was more flustered by it than he was.
Hope to NOT do THAT again!
