So last week must have been Lose Ryan Week, because Dan, my mom, and myself are all guilty of it. First up is Dan, who managed to be a total dumb ass and forget all about getting Ryan off the school bus on Thursday morning, despite him sitting right here in the living room, in front of a clock, and next to the phone (the bus driver not only laid on her horn, but called our house phone to see what was up. Dan IGNORED THE PHONE ARGGHH. I was in the shower at the time.). As soon as I was done my shower and realized Ryan wasn’t home I called around and tracked him down and made arrangements for Dan to go and get him, but still, that SUCKED.
Then, on Friday evening, the kids and I met my mother at Target. I wanted to pick up a hat for Ryan, since we had plans to go to the zoo on Saturday and I wanted to protect his scalp from the sun. But the kids wanted to hang with my mom, who at the time was in the laundry detergent aisle. She said she would be fine with them, so off I went. About ten minutes later she meets me over in the clothing section and informs me that she lost Ryan. Five minutes and a frantic dash to guest services later, he’s recovered, and I keep him with me for the rest of our time there.
Then, Saturday. I took the kids down to Philadelphia, where we met up with my boss and her two kids and went over to the Philadelphia Zoo. We were doing great with keeping track of Ryan and keeping him close by until we got to the children’s petting zoo. There, I took the kids over to the pond where the ducks are at. In the time it took me to dig out quarters for the feed machine and scold Alyssa for kicking pebbles around, Ryan vanished. I spent about two minutes checking the other petting areas for any sign of him before flagging down security and giving him a detailed description, showing him photos, and emphasizing that he’s only three, and he’s autistic. He was found about ten minutes later, trying to go through an exit and out onto a busy road. Apparently he was done with the zoo and ready to do our next planned event — go swimming. Ugh. I have never been so scared in my life. 
I know it’s a total cliche thing to do, but I seriously started crying when I caught up with the employees who had stopped Ryan from leaving the zoo and getting into the road. I was just so relieved that he was found, and that he was all right — and that he didn’t make it out onto that busy road!!!
This week? Is totally Keep Your Kid By Your Side At All Times Week.
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My name is Jenn, and I'm 27 years old. I'm happily married to my best friend and soulmate, Daniel. Together we have a six year old daughter named 
Name: Alyssa
Name: Ryan
