Beauty and the Beastly Stairs

Last night we visited Zilker park to see the 50th anniversary of musicals in the park. This year's musical is the production of "Disney's Beauty and the Beast." Being new to Austin, we were excited to see a bit of the local talent and especially excited the whole performance was free. Mark went over early to save us a good spot and I followed with the kids and our dinner picnic. (I am so thankful for mapquest. I have no idea how anyone ever got along without it.) We managed to find the park and even the entrance to the parking lot. We paid our meager $3 for parking and then started the hike to the ampitheater. I'm sure we were a sight; me, five kids, one wagon full of blankets and bags, and one wheeling cooler. I'm starting to think Mark had the easier job.Ü We made it most of the way there easily enough with help from the kids and a few nice strangers. Then we came to the stairs.

I could actually see Mark waving to us at the point but I still had no idea how to navigate them. Luckily Mark ran over to help, taking the cooler and the three older children. That left me the two little ones and the wagon. I sent Reagan on ahead and sat Hallie down on the ground thinking I would pick up the wagon carry it down and then return for her. Why I didn't take her first is anyone guess. It may be that I care more about my purse and the food I was carrying or it may have been because I'm just not that bright, but the second I put Hallie down she decided to walk the stairs alone. And if she was big enough to do that, of course she could take them one foot in front of the other. The world stopped for just a moment as I watched my baby fall onto her head and then flip over. The looks of horror that covered all the onlookers faces said it all, "Oh my, is that baby dead?" (Strangely the looks were not directed at Hallie instead they were all looking at me. I must have been wearing my "World's Worst Mom shirt," though I was sure I had left home wearing my "Can Do it all Clothes.") I put down the wagon and ran down to my baby, Mark was there at my side in no time and we made it down the stairs together. I dug through the cooler and found the first cold thing I could (My diet Coke) and Mark and I took turns holding it on her head. (See mom diet coke is good for you.) After a few minutes she seemed to calm down and was her self again, but the large lump on her forehead is still there to testify against me.

Now I admit that my child care abilities were not at their best that night, but as a chef I still did pretty well. We had a wonderful dinner of crackers, turkey and cheese, carrots with dip, yogurt, pretzels, juice and more. I came stocked for a long night. And it was a good thing with 5 little people to keep busy. In the end Hallie grew bored of sitting and she and Mark did a lot of walking, but all the other kids sat and watched and loved the show. Even Colin said it wasn't bad. "The wolves kept it from being too girly."

We loved the music and the girls held my hands through the sad or scary parts, so I didn't have to close my eyes once.Ü It was a late night but so worth the trip.

Austin has so much to offer! We are thankful to be here and for the chance to spend time together as a family.