Something I never thought would happen

We got a package yesterday that I frankly didn't expect to get. It all started when we were in the van driving back from our week in Tennessee. We stopped at a McDonalds halfway to get lunch and let the kids play. This was a very cool McDonalds. Not only was there a huge play structure with slides and tunnels and steps and things, there was also an air hockey table and several video games. Needless to say, the kids had a fabulous time playing. But all good things must come to an end and eventually we decided that we wanted to get home rather than stay in a McDonalds indefinitely. So we loaded up the kids and left. Of course we had to stop an hour or so later for a bathroom break. When Rose started to get out of the van, we asked where her boots were; after all this is winter and it was raining then. She looked all over the van and couldn't find them. So where were they? She had left them at the McDonalds we ate lunch at. I was astounded. I mean, how do you just leave without footwear of some kind on. She had socks, but hello! This is January! Wouldn't you think that her feet would've gotten cold? Wouldn't think she would've remembered something as basic as shoes?? I have no idea what happened in her brain to cause this lapse, but wasn't going to question her about it. She was very upset because these were brand-new comfy pink boots she'd gotten for Christmas.

But never fear; Amy the planner was prepared for even something like this. I had the phone number of the restaurant. We could just call them. The McDonalds website has a travel planner section that lets you put in your starting and ending points, then will give you a list of all the McDonalds along your route (plus their contact info, whether they have a playarea or wifi, etc.). So I called the restaurant and they verified that the boots were indeed there. They suggested we just come back and get them. Oh, ok what a great idea!! We'll just turn around and drive 90 minutes one way the opposite direction. No problem. We explained several times that we were tourists just passing through, that we were headed north and didn't want to detour that far out of our way. We very politely asked if they could ship us the boots. They were very confused by this. I guess this is something that never happens to them because they didn't know what to say. So after 20 minutes of them asking us to come get them and me saying that we couldn't do that because we lived in Ohio, they said they had to call their corporate offices and would we please call back in an hour. So we drove north, me praying, Phil driving and Rose crying. When we called back, they took our name and address and agreed to ship us the boots. Rose was ecstatic! I however didn't actually expect to see the boots again. But lo and behold, they arrived in the mail yesterday! Rose was very happy to see her beloved boots again and promised to never do that again. We'll see. . .

Once thing I've learned through the years of being a mom, life with four children is never dull!