I should have just played "Duck, duck Horse"

Yes, the game is actually called "Duck duck goose" but, apparently, horses are faster and D seems to like horses more than geese.

At A&B's wedding, D (she's four) was getting a bit restless and frustrated that no one would play with her. People had started dancing (my son and I had already done a few spins around the dance floor LITERALLY, then with another partner or two), so I was trying to get her to dance too; she would have none of it. She tried to get me to play this game, but I thought sitting on the floor/ground in high heels and formal gowns might not be a great idea.

So, she and I were walking around outside with my son in tow. I was carrying her in front of me, trying to distract her and being silly as Jackson was in awe of the stars (he had had a couple/few drinks; read further for details). As we were walking along the asphalt pathway, me wearing four inch heels, suddenly the ground went from smooth, flat asphalt to a grate that has rounded top metal and four inch spaces!! I went down on one knee, quickly dropping D in front of me, then went down on the other leg just as quickly, then falling forward. Everything was silent for a moment as we were all trying to figure out what had just happened! As it turned out, J was silent because he was so enamoured with the stars, he didn't even see us fall! (Later, he said he just heard a small gasp and saw us on the ground.) D started to cry and I was in absolute agony with my knee on fire, so all I could do was gasp: "Jackson, GO GET HER FATHER!"

I sat her up, checking her head for a bump, which came a bit later. I felt just terrible! Here I was trying to entertain this child only to BREAK HER! As far as I know, at this point, she is mostly fine. Within an hour of the incident, she kept giving me calla lilies and hugging me. She promised she wasn't mad at me and told me she wished I would come to brunch the next day (I had to decline as J and I had plans). Her 11 year old sister was wonderful and brought me a ziplock bag full of ice, thank goodness! I cannot imagine how my knee would look/feel if I didn't have it.

I was supposed to go to my trainer tomorrow, but had to cancel as I can barely walk, let alone use an elliptical, treadmill or weights. I'll just lift hand weights in the (relative) safety of my bedroom.

Jackson's Life Lesson:

With all of the pain I was/am in, it helps to know that Jackson learned a valuable lesson that night: stick with liquor OR wine OR champagne, but mixing your alcohol is NOT a good idea. Oh, and on that note, I learned one too: when Jackson says "Mom, you need to stop the car", I really should stop the car right then! I finally pull off the road and he leans over and lets it all go! As I glance over, I shout: "Oh my GOD, the door isn't open! So he opens the door and finishes. But, not before he nailed his new suit pants, the tie, the shirt, the interior of the car door, and the carpet. I even had to stop one more time before we go to our hotel.

I admit that I did allow him to have a couple of short pour JD and Pepsis, and I know he had a bit of champagne during the toast, but I did NOT know that he drank two glasses of red wine that was on the table and about the same number of white AND three glasses of champagne that were on the table. Well, not full glasses of champagne, but about a ounce of it in each glass. I didn't give him a hard time about it, later, I just explained that I just wish he had asked; I would have been able to warn him that mixing your liquors was a BAD idea; he certainly knows now! At some point, between heaves, he asked "Why would anyone drink just to get drunk? This is terrible!" and "I am not going to drink again until I am 35." Today, he told me that he will never be able to touch Jack Daniels, Pepsi, champagne or wine again!

...until next time. :)