...to this...
...in a matter of minutes.Saturday started out like any other day. Bob and I had planned to take the kiddos to the aquarium and were really excited about it. We decided to let Carter nap first and then we'd head there around 2:30-3pm. Because Philadelphia was having their fireworks on Saturday, we knew the aquarium was open a little later, so we were really looking forward to going!
On the way there, I decided to call the aquarium to double check their hours. Turns out, they were still closing at 5pm and reopening at 6pm and charging a readmission fee! Ugh. We did not want to spend almost $50 to go to the aquarium for an hour, be forced to leave, wait an hour in 98 degree weather, and then get charged another $4o to come back in.
Not happenin'...
On to Plan B.
Because we were all dressed and in the car on the way to the aquarium, we decided to go to the zoo and park in Wilmington instead. The Brandywine Zoo is nice, small, and perfect for little kids... and the best part is, they only charge $5/adult and kids are free.
Much better.
Although it was hot, the zoo and park are completely in the shade. We had such a nice time walking around and Carter just loved it. We even got to see the tiger close up...
After leaving the zoo, we headed back to the car with plans to go to Rita's for water ice then maybe get some dinner. We started packing up our stuff and loading up the kids in the car.
While Bob was putting Brynn in her car seat on the passenger side, I decided to start the car and get the A/C going. I opened the driver side door and Bob grabbed the car keys out of his pocket and threw them up to me in the drivers seat. I started the car, put the A/C on full blast, closed the drivers side door, and walked around to help Bob with Brynn. Carter was already settled in his seat and ready for some water ice. :)
Then it happened.
Bob walked around to hop in the drivers seat just as I closed Brynn's car door. You guessed it...
The doors were locked.
With the kids inside.
In 98 degree weather.
Bob and I immediately went into freak out mode. Call 911. Now.
All I could think was... thank GOD I started the car and put the A/C on. I must have said it a million times in the 15 minutes we waited for the fire department to arrive. I was also glad that the city of Wilmington has a paid fire department, and not volunteers that would be forced out of their holiday BBQ's to come help some
The park was packed, so when the fire department finally arrived... with the rescue squad... and all their sirens and lights on... everyone surrounded our car. I heard little kids say "look mommy, those babies are stuck in the car!"
Ugh... I felt awful.
I knew my babies were okay in the car, but I couldn't help but cry. I felt so bad for doing that to them.... I am the world's worst mom. I hope they don't lock me up or call DYFS.
The 1 firewoman and 10 firemen that were there trying to unlock our doors {from both sides} were SO NICE. They calmed me down and were joking around and racing to see who could unlock the doors first. It literally took the one guy 30 seconds once he started. He was my hero.
Once the doors were unlocked, I checked on the kids. They were completely fine. Brynn just stared up at me like "what's going on?" and Carter just kept saying "ut oh" "ut oh"...
...ummm, ut oh is right Bubba.
He actually really liked the lights and the fire trucks, so he was smiling the whole time.
So there you have it. The whole ride home, Bob and I were trying to figure out just how the doors locked. I was able to open the drivers side door 30 seconds before the kids got locked in, so it had to happen when Bob handed me the keys. One of us must have accidentally hit the lock button on the remote, either when Bob grabbed them from his pocket, or when I caught them when he threw them up to me in the drivers seat. That's the only way the doors could have locked.
Oh well... it was an accident. But it doesn't mean I don't feel bad about it.
Mom of the Year.
17 comments:
I will say it too....Thank goodness you started the car and turned on the A/C!
You are a great mom, Jenni! It happens to the best of us.
Don't feel too bad. We picked up a rental car last week and my son must have been playing with the locks while we were installing his carseat. We got him buckled in and shut his door and found ourselves locked out and the keys and my son locked in. Unfortunately for us we hadn't started the car. We only had one police man come out and it took about 10 mintues. I felt horrible. It happens to the best of us.
Things like this happen all the time, so try not to beat yourself up about it. At least the A/C was on!
Oh, I can only imagine how stressful that was! I'm sure it was pretty easy to do juggling two kids in and out of car seats. Thank God for the A/C :).
I knew it! Well, if anyone knows how you feel it is me! Luckily, the A/C was on and the kids are fine, but you're right....it doesn't make you feel any better about it. :(
You're still a great Mom!
Thank God you started the car! You poor thing...happens to the best of us. E almost got hit by a car today when he darted out into a parking lot. We can have a competition for MOTY!
Ahhh I would've freaked out too!! Don't worry you're an awesome mommy.
oh gosh! Thanks goodness you had your wits about you to have started the car and flipped the AC on.
Im sure worse has happened, even to the best of us! Live and learn right? Your babes' are just fine, and that's what matters
:)
<3 ya!
oh my goodness, Jenni! I would have totally freaked out too. But you are NOT the worst mom of the year, hon.
I am working on a mom FAIL post as I type this.
At least Carter liked the fire trucks.
I would have had the same reaction... I'm so glad everything turned out okay.
My mom did that to my brother when he was about Carter's age. It happens. The funny part is that you took pictures of the fire trucks!
Happened to me just last week. Luckily, I had started the car. Thank God for Onstar. I don't know what I would have done! Makes for a goos story! :)
Ah, you must've felt so horrible. But don't beat yourself up about it, it was an accident and can happen to anyone.
Thanks so much for making me feel better everyone!
I should add the disclaimer that I took the pic of the fire trucks AFTER they got my babies out of the car and I had calmed down a little, lol
Aww. You are not a bad mom! Don't ever say that! These things happen. Thankfully you had the air on!! If not, I'm sure those 15 minutes would have felt like a lifetime.
At least now you have a funny story to share with the kids when they get older :-)
This is like my greatest fear right now!
I really think I'd be tempted to break a window!
Last summer while out shopping, I did the same thing. I had my purse in the front seat and Madison was eatting something and I needed a wipe to clean her up. I closed her door and grabed a wipe from the front seat and closed that door. I think that was the most scared/ paniced I have ever been in my whole life. I was able to use someones cell to call 911 and it is amazing how quick they came and got her out. I was bawling and Madison was sitting there smiling. I felt so bad. I am so careful now not to lock the door before I have my purse.
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