Since Ethan enjoyed Ronald so much the first time and keeps talking about him everytime we pass the golden arches, I had promised to take him to McDonald's around the corner yesterday cause Ronald was supposed to be there. I was exhausted as it was a really long day at work yesterday, but I promised, so I did (not that he remembered cause he knew we were going but doesn't know what the days are so I could have just not mentioned it but I did anyway). So this McDonald's went all out....this place was insane and VERY crowded.
Ethan couldn't wait to see Ronald again. He did wait until I could get Alex in a high chair to make it a bit easier and then he snuck through the people to get up there to see Ronald again. Then he saw an empty chair in front of me and came back and climbed up so he could see over everyone.....then it changed....Grimace showed up. I, myself, don't think I've ever seen Grimace before. I mentioned before that we weren't sure how Ethan would take to Ronald because he usually doesn't do meetings with "characters" well. Turns out Ronald is awesome cause he's an actual person who just looks weird....Grimace on the other hand was this big giant thing in a big costume and not at all "person-like."....he was petrified....he started climbing out of the chair and I thought it was to get a closer look. Nope. It was to get more people between he and Grimace...he came around behind me and that wasn't far enough; he got in the corner (right behind where we were) and pulled Alex's high chair in front of him so Alex was like a shield....by this time, Grimace had gotten to the front of the room. So now what?
I tried asking if we could go get something to eat until Grimace left. NOOOOO ... didn't want to be near Grimace but didn't want to leave Ronald either. So the manager started taking pictures of each kid with Grimace & Ronald. I tried to get Alex out to do this - Ethan almost had a meltdown, as if I were handing his brother over to a monster (which in retrospect, I guess Grimace kind of is). So now I'm trying to get the manager's attention because Ethan won't move until he can talk to Ronald and get a picture. I tell her the issue; she asks if we could just come back another time when Grimace isn't there. I explain, I've tried that and can't get him out of the room. She understands completely....most of the crowd has now had pictures and have dispersed a bit to get food and tables...she gets Ronald's attention and let's him know there's another "friend" in the back of the room. Ronald looks up and says, "Oh that's my friend! We've met before last week." (what a GREAT! Ronald) I tell Ronald, yes, but that he's afraid of Grimace. Ronald looks at Ethan (who is grinning ear to ear now) and asks, "really? you don't like Grimace?" Ethan shakes his head and the fearful eyes return. Ronald has an idea. He says very loudly to Grimace: "OK Grimace. I'm going to go over here for a minute with my friend and you're going to stay right here out of trouble, ok?" Grimace shakes his head yes....all is well with my world.
Ronald comes over and says, "I remember you, you've got a motorcycle - a Harley" (Ethan had on the Harley coat at the last visit and both boys had the Harley do-rags). Then he says, but help me remember the names Mom. I said, this is Ethan & Alex. And Ronald on purpose reversed the names. I say, no silly and put the order right. Ronald looks at Ethan and says, "what's your name?" Ethan - now smiling again - says "it's Ethan". R: "and you've got a motorcylce, right? a Harley?" E: "yep" All smiles now - couldn't be happier and buddying right up to Ronald. I get Alex out of the shield, I mean highchair, and stand him up next to the now crouching Ronald in front of Ethan. Ronald is amazed: "wow, he can stand now, huh?" E: "Yep, he takes steps, too"....I'm standing trying to ensure Alex doesn't hit this hard floor so didn't get to take the picture on my camera but will go back and get the copy the restaurant has.
Picture over, Ronald tells Ethan that Grimace is just funny, isn't he. Ethan looks over at Grimace (on the other side of the small room) and starts giggling, hand over his mouth almost sheepishly and says yes, still giggling. Too cute. Ronald then says we should eat (thank you, Ronald) and he's going to draw some prizes. We go get food and then find a table where Ethan can pretend to eat while watching every move Ronald makes....Ronald moves to a different area and Ethan catches sight of Grimace and proceeds to watch him like a hawk from the safety of his spot between Alex and the bench where Grimace can't get to him. Dinner is now over (we've been at McDonald's for roughly an hour and 15 minutes), Ethan has played with other kids a bit and it's time to go. Ethan goes over to Ronald and tugs at his pocket saying "Ronald, Ronald" but Ronald doesn't hear cause it's very loud, Ethan's tug isn't very forceful (and he's probably used to kids tugging on him) and he's talking....so Ethan goes around front of Ronald and stands there staring up at him saying "Ronald"....Ronald looks at him "well, hi there Ethan" and Ethan says "bye Ronald, I have to go" and gives him a hug. Totally cute. I love that kid. We then are leaving - it's still insane in there and Ethan wants another picture. I had to break his heart and tell him we just can't and that I promised I get the one we took earlier from the manager another day.
Things I learned on this adventure:
1. Do not under any circumstances take both children to McDonald's to see Ronald without 2 adults. Without help from the manager and some other employees, I couldn't have maneuvered both of them in that crowd in that small area
2. It's time to start getting Alex his own chicken nugget happy meal. He ate 4 of my 10 nuggets, almost all of Ethan's fries and some of mine as well. He'd have continued to eat if I'd let him...another reason it was time to go. We really do feed him but he can't seem to get enough things in his mouth. I kept checking the floor and his seat and nothing was there, it was all going in his mouth. He almost go Ethan's cheeseburger a time or 2 as well.
3. Before attempting to go to any other Ronald showings, call ahead to confirm if any other characters will attend as they don't go over quite as well.
4. Ronald McDonald is awesome - he really did remember the boys - maybe not their names, but he remembered without prompting the Harley jacket and do-rag (he asked Ethan where his Harley hat was). This made Ethan feel like the most important kid in the world.
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