Richard and I were running the cotton candy machines along with another couple of people. There were several children besides our two that were with us, so I told our children that they could hang out with them as a group, and explained to them their boundaries. Making it known that when I looked up, I wanted to be able to see them and not panic. After a couple of hours, checking on them the whole time, I looked up and saw Matthew with a couple of his little friends, but didn't see Nathan. Thinking that I must have missed him, I quickly scanned the crowd again. Still not being able to eyeball his location, I asked Richard if he could see them. He couldn't and since it was growing dark, and the crowd of people were growing quite thick, he took off to locate him, thinking that we both missed him. I was cool up until this point. When Richard returned without our child and said, I can't find him anywhere, I freaked! I walked over to the chldren's pastor's wife and asked her if she had seen Nathan, since I last saw him with her son. She said that her son had gone with someone from our church to go get something to eat, and that maybe Nathan was with them. I told Richard that I was going to walk the lake and look for him......didn't I mention that this whole scene was set on a lake! OK! now you mom's feel my panic. So I got about 100 yards looking for my child who was wearing a red shirt, along with half the people there. Then I see him, walking my direction. He had in fact gone wiith the group to get food. When he saw me he looked like he was going to throw up. I scolded him for not telling me that he was going to leave, and explained that I had been looking for him for about 20 minutes! The adult who was with him, told me that Nathan wanted to go, and he asked Nathan if it was okay with me, and Nathan's response was yes. That did it! I told the group I was not upset with them for having Nathan, but rather with Nathan for lying to them and causing this whole thing. So Nathan and I handled business. Yes, it is possible to spank a nine year old in a port-a-potty. Not the most appealing or comfortable, but possible. Lucky for Nathan my swing was restricted by the amount of space one said port-a- potty has....After that, Nathan stayed right where I could see him at all times.
oh, the consequences will be dire when one causes a freak-out to happen to Mom. Bet it will be a while before it happens again. Maybe never. One can hope.
Oh, thanks for fixing the comments. You are a good *mechanic.*
Posted by: Ranger | July 11, 2008 at 12:39 PM
Okay, I fixed the comment section
Posted by: Sarah | July 11, 2008 at 11:17 AM