The Wheels on the Bus

Today didn't turn out anything like we anticipated. Plan A was for me to go to work with Annika in tow. My mom was going to come up on the train, meet me at work, and take Annika back to our house on the bus. The reverse would happen this afternoon. Annika was VERY excited about riding on the bus. Well, we're all still sicker than dogs (including my mom who called at 5-something this morning to cancel), so I stayed home today. There goes plan A.

Plan B came into effect when Annika woke up cheering that today was a bus day. Crap. Can't disappoint a 3-year-old who is that excited about riding on the bus. So, we decided to ride the bus to the mall and meet Eric for lunch. Plan B went the way of Plan A when our bus didn't show up. Apparently, it is on the holiday schedule, but the metro trip planner website didn't feel the need to let us know that little tidbit. Ack!

Plan C was born. We'd drive to the mall, eat lunch with Eric, and then ride a bus around the perimeter of the mall and drive home. Plan C was the golden plan. It worked perfectly. The bus driver was treated to an Annika and Mommy (who sounds like she has a chorus of frogs in her throat) of "The Wheels on the Bus". He was a very good sport and (I suspect) has kids and possibly grandkids of his own. After our ride around 2 sides of the mall, we hopped off and walked back to our van and drove home.

Now, to see if I can convince Annika to lay down for a nap. Mama is tired, feels like the squirrel that Eric ran over today (let's just say the squirrel lost a game of chicken and leave it at that). Fingers crossed for a little girl who is willing to nap...