I Forgot the Shoes, Again

If you read this blog, you know that one of my refrains is to bring extra shoes and clothes when going on an outing.  That is the standard advice I dispense to other moms and dads of young kids.  This is not advice for those with newborns and babies; bringing extra clothes for that set is obvious.

With great intentions, we set out Saturday morning for a nice family walk at the National Arboretum. The place was all but empty and lovely in its Winter starkness.  We started off in the azalea garden where BB and DD were delighted to find that the little pond was frozen over.  They spotted a little family of goldfish beneath the frozen surface.

After they were done with that, they ran off towards the Capitol Columns, their "castle."  Of course , there was a few inches of water remaining in the pool with large sheets of ice floating in it.  So what do you think happened next?  The rest of the day was cut short - no lunch, no museums, no shopping - because I hadn't thought to bring extra shoes and pants.  Lesson learned.  Again.