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Carousing on the Carousel

By Jess
 
Tuesday, Alex and I made our first solo sojourn to Indy. I ran some errands at the mall, we stopped at a little bookstore for the Playmobil Nativity set, went to the Children's Museum, and shopped at Costco before our return home.

My plan for the Children's Museum was to snap Alex's Christmas picture on the carousel, which he'd never ridden before. Turns out they do a big holiday "thing" in December and the place was packed. There were at least two field trips there. The kids were probably 7 or 8 years old and a bit too rambunctious to watch out for a toddler in their midst, so we made a beeline for the carousel.

Alex didn't protest, but silently clutched the pole on his stationary horse and looked the scene over very seriously. They were playing calliope Christmas carols. I thought at any moment that it was going to prove too much for him. When the song ended and we came to a stop, Alex -- almost inaudibly -- said, "Again."

I untied him, walked all around the room to get back in line so we could take another turn. I lost track of how many times we merrily went around, but at the very least he sat on a onyx, several horses, a giraffe, a lion, and a tiger. Alex hardly ever smiled or gave any outward signs that he was having the time of his life.

Finally, the field trips retreated and the operator offered that museum members who wished to ride again could just remain on the carousel. I felt that announcement was directed to me, personally. (Normally, it's $1 per ride, but free to members -- not the way I expected to get our money's worth out of the membership!)
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