We Made It To Alaska (Also Known as the Gateway!)

Monday was our monthly play date with some of my oldest friends and their kids. (I have known Sarah since seventh grade and Becki since early elementary school.) We decided to hop on Front Runner and head downtown to splash in the fountain at the Gateway. The kids and I had not yet taken a ride on either Trax or Front Runner so I wasn't sure what to expect. The day was so much fun and Owen has asked to go back on the train every time we have been in the car since.

We barely made the train on time. Sarah made a mad dash from the parking lot and thus began a series of jumping from the train to our Trax connection, having at least one stroller and its' little riders or my backpack being shut in the impatient doors of the train at every stop. I wish now that I would have taken a picture of the three of us with our five children ages four and under trying to board. I'm sure we were a sight to behold! Thank heavens for a kind stranger who helped us carry the strollers up the stairs on Trax! When we made it downtown, Owen was so excited to finally have "made it to Alaska!" Once at the Gateway, we picked up our Happy Meals, and let the kids loose at the fountain. The older kids, Owen and Meg, had a blast running through the water. (Owen now says that Meg is his girlfriend!) The little ones, Parker, Paige, and Sam, splashed around the edges for a bit but were equally impressed with Sarah's double stroller. Sam decided to start out the day by looking down one of the holes and was promptly sprayed in the face. Needless to say he wasn't thrilled and didn't really want much to do with the fountain after that. Owen, however, was fearless. We had a great time and got back on the train to go home. We were so busy talking that Sarah and I didn't notice that the doors on Front Runner do not open on their own and we missed our stop! We went to Farmington, got off with Becki, and headed back to our stop in Woods Cross, laughing the whole way. It was a mistake we would have made in high school and probably laughed just the same. It's great to know that five kids and ten years later, we are the same crazy girls deep down somewhere. Thanks for the great day girls!