Our Piratical Adventure

Saturday I went to bed feeling like a failure. Robby Rotten had run amok at the clinic, embarrassing me both professionally and maternally. I felt like I should be wearing the badge as "World's Worst Mother" because I simply could not control his outbursts.

I woke up early Sunday morning with my little guy still asleep and decided to write my blog for Monday. I knew that I would be traveling into the late hours of the night, and I was unsure if I would have the time or the energy to write on Monday morning. I would like to use this post to provide "the rest of the story."

Sunday Robby woke up chipper and rested. He immediately walked over to me and threw his little arms around my legs. He repeatedly said that he was "so so so sorry for ruining the day" and asked if we would still be best buddies.

We talked, or rather I lectured and he listened attentively, about appropriate behavior when I am at work. I told him that I was disappointed and explained why I felt that way. He explained what he should have done during the running clinic and at the aquarium and repeated his apologies.

After hugging and a good breakfast, we both decided that we were going to make the best of our last day in Florida. I embraced the opportunity to resurrect "Robby and Momom's Super Fun Florida Adventure" and did some research. After a quick Google search, I knew immediately what we were going to be doing.

I found a pirate themed ship that sets sail three time daily. The afternoon cruise fit perfectly into our schedule, and I knew that Robby would have a blast. Robby became giddy when I told him that we were going to go on a "real" pirate ship!

The cruise offers activities tailored for children who love all things piratical. The crew wore costumes and spoke in pirate phrases. Each "Little Pirate in Training" was offered a gun upon boarding. After the ship sailed, the Little Pirate crew was summoned to the meeting area. Wooden guns were exchanged for water guns because they were going to "take the ship back from the adults." (At the same time the adults were being armed with water guns of their own.)

It was so much fun watching the Little Pirates, donning their hats, run into the center of the boat screaming "Argghhh" and shooting water pistols. I think it was even enjoyable watching the adults return fire. Everybody was laughing and fully in the moment.

Because I am an amputee, I was solicited to play a special part. I was decked out with a pirate hat and sword. Since I had my own pirate leg, I didn't require much for my pirate transformation to be complete.

While I was being prepped, the passengers were told a story about "Peg Leg Peg, The Smelliest and Meanest Pirate on the Seven Seas." Peg Leg Peg likes to steal treasure and garlic from the ship. The only way to get rid of Peg Leg Peg was to douse her with water to get rid of the smell.

The Little Pirates were put on alert for Peg Leg Peg, with the warning that they might smell her presence soon. All of a sudden, the Little Pirates started complaining about a bad smell. That was my cue! I jumped out of the galley and screamed a wicked "Argghhhh" and swung my sword. I was immediately soaked by the Little Pirates, defending the ship's treasure and garlic with their fully loaded water guns.

In reality, I probably had as much fun on the pirate cruise as Robby. He completely believed that he was on a real pirate ship. (The fact that I was playing the part of Peg Leg Peg hasn't phased him.) He insisted on keeping his "pirate paint" on his face for the rest of the day. I received a lot of smiles as we walked through the airport with my little boy donning his pirate hat and face paint. It was refreshing to receive smiles instead of the stares of pity and judgment that were directed towards me the previous day!