From Dino Calamity to a Big Day with Family

 So it was supposed to be a big day in our house. Back in June, Papa R and I took Big, Middle, and Little to a dinosaur event at the National Air Force Museum just up the road. At the time, Middle was deep in his Dinosaur Train obsession so he loved anything and everything dinos. It was a free event, so we decided to see how he'd do meeting some very life-like "rawrs." Middle is definitely my sensitive soul, so we usually have to test new waters slowly with him. The day was a hit. He was in love with it all.

Being that he enjoyed it so much, when I saw an ad the next month for an event called Dino Stroll, we quickly bought tickets. The event wasn't for months, so we thought it'd be a nice surprise. Fast forward to today, when the big event had finally arrived. I got the boys ready to go in their finest dino attire.

We made the nearly hour long drive to downtown Cincinnati, waited in a long line to enter, and expected the same level of excitement as before. Middle, however, was less than enthusiastic. The convention hall was dark to highlight the dinos and every one of them it seemed was roaring at the same time. Middle was not having it... cue the meltdown. Shaking, screaming, tears streaming. We tried our best to calm him, but nothing helped. We tried walking as far away from the dinos as possible but still keeping them in view, we tried riding in the stroller, we tried being carried. Nothing helped. After about 10ish minutes with no change, we made the decision to leave. Momma managed to snap a few pictures of the dinos.

It was frustrating, but ultimately the best thing to do for Middle. He quickly calmed down as we walked back to the car. We had already planned to visit GiGi after the event, so we decided to go early. Middle and Little love seeing GiGi, Middle especially, because he knows he can get away with pretty much anything at her house. That's what grandmas are for though, right?

 We had a nice visit, but naptime was quickly approaching so we had to say goodbye. We still had a long drive back home. Both Middle and Little were snoozing by the time we pulled up to the house. Papa R and I quickly transferred them inside to continue their naps before settling in to watch some football. Momma's alma mater was playing their homecoming game. (We won... Whoo hoo!)

About the time that both boys were waking, Momma got a message from Middle's absolute favorite, Uncle Cheese. He was coming for a visit. As soon as I opened the door, Middle was over the moon. He loves cuddling up to Uncle Cheese to watch trains.

All good things must to come to an end, unfortunately, so we eventually had to say goodbye to Uncle Cheese as well. Middle was pretty sad to see him go. Papa R decided to cheer him up by letting him help make some brownies. We've recently discovered Middle is pretty fond of giving a helping hand in the kitchen.

As if all of this excitement wasn't enough, Middle decided to end his big day with a big accomplishment and used his big boy potty. We've been struggling to get the hang of telling momma when we have to go and not wanting to take off the diaper but Middle was willing to play nice for Papa tonight.... Probably because he made those brownies. We celebrated his big success with a cookie before climbing the stairs to bed.

The day did not go as we had planned, but it was still a big day in the end and Middle went to sleep...cuddling with his blue dinosaur.