A visit to Old Town...

Today we had to have our taxes done. We actually have a great tax guy so it really isn't a painful process. However, the idea of keeping two young ins quite for almost 2 hours was painful. So I left the tax office and took the kids into Old Town Alexandria. Most people who know me will know that this is one of my favorite places to spend time in. It was really cold today so I had the kids bundled up. I put Miss A in the baby Bjorn and loaded Master W in the stroller. I was so busy getting them loading and making sure I had my keys, wallet, etc. that I forgot to feed the meter. We walked down to the corner and I was trying to navigate the stroller into the Starbucks when I saw 3 police officers walking out. That's when I realized I hadn't put money in the meter, I stopped suddenly and said "Oh!" One of the officers stopped and said "can I help you with the door?" Of course, in my fantasy world, the one where I am always poised and always know the right thing to say, the world where I just glide through serenely, never looking frantic or looking like I just rode with my head out of the window, in that world I would have smiled and said "yes, thank you." And I would have proceeded to get a cup of coffee then would have strolled back to the car, filled the meter and continued our walk. In reality I looked at him, with a guilt ridden panicky look (probably similar to the expression on a bank robbers face as they flee the scene) and said "NO, I have to go, I forgot to put money in the meter!" And I jerked the stroller around and took off back down the street. I'm not sure, but I think I heard laughter. I was envisioning one of the officers taking off in pursuit and racing me to my car, starting to write out the ticket as he ran, and my fumbling in my wallet trying to find coins, hoping I could fill the meter before he could write out the ticket. The funny thing is, I don't think the Alexandria police even issue the tickets, I'm pretty sure they have Meter Maids. Sorry people, I don't know what the politically correct term is these days. So, to wrap up a long story about nothing....I fed the meter and then went back to Starbucks and got a coffee. Then we walked out on the pier and looked at the boats and birds, Wythe stayed warm in the puffy coat and snazzy hat.

We didn't stay that long, but we did get to walk around a bit. I pointed out all my favorite places to Wythe, not that he cared. I would tell him things like, "this is where mommy used to get her coffee in the morning" and "this is where mommy would come for Sunday brunch" and "this is where mommy and Auntie Carrie used to dance in the street at 2AM in the morning". Like I said, don't think he cared.

"til next time...