We go to a Museum

[Note: This post was originally the start of the previous entry "Who's Here Today" but decided it was too detailed and was detracting from the point I wanted to make in that post so this is really the missing pieces. It probably won't make much sense but is posted for the memories and because it involves examples of switching and triggers.]
[Note 2: Completed August 31st but forced earlier to maintain correct time frames though I may decide later that that is unimportant.]

I should probably start writing these posts earlier as once I again so many details escape me though to be honest I can not guarantee it would be mush better...

Today was a good day; a long day but a good one. I can't remember much about the time at the apartment before we went out, certainly not anything about their mood first thing so I'll jump ahead.

Moods were good for the whole day and the walk to the museum was a nice one. Weather again was scorching and even though there was a wind it was just as warm. We arrived at the museum and were discussing the different areas we wanted to view. Overhearing this was the guy behind the ticket desk who I swear must be an avid twitter user or somehow can read minds; when listing off reasons to visit one particular section he mentioned there would be kids that we could kick / stab / hide bodies etc. This guy was a genius. Well it was all we needed to hear to be convinced. So tickets purchased and with silent curiosity we went into the first section where again another museum worker spoke as though he knew Frank et al personally. They made one comment about "you hold the tickets" and this prompted a response along the lines of "her highness has spoken". My reply - "You don't know the half of it..."

We weren't in any hurry and so meandered around the museum at a rather leisurely pace... until kids turned up. They couldn't get out of the area fast enough. Conversation immediately turned to why they were there, how can we kill them (and the parents), where can we stash the bodies and why were the bloody weapons all locked behind glass cabinets? Our pace around the museum increased in an effort to keep away from them all. Though soon we were losing interest in the exhibits and became much more interested in the little corners we could erm... you know... *wink*

Switch, or is it*?

A few times people would come into the exhibit we were in causing us to quickly compose ourselves and leave grinning like idiots until the next "quiet" spot". This pretty much went on until we decided that we should probably visit other area's and so we moved on. It didn't occur to me at the time but I was later told that it was Emmie at this point (Emmie mentioned it herself). However, two things I am still less than certain of - Was it Emmie all along or was it another then Emmie? Or was it another and Emmie's comment later on was just her thoughts about it, from memory?*

The next section was about science, albeit at a basic level and due to time restraints we moved through the section must faster. Then they spotted some hands on activities and were off all smiles and giggles. I can't be too descriptive here for fear of giving away enough info to work out which museum (thus city) this is but we played with the exhibitions / equipment (behave), basic school physics stuff and then they spotted some colouring crayons and drawings.

Switch*.

They sit down at a table barely 18 inches tall on a tiny plastic chair designed for small children (I posted a pic on tumblr) and immediately grab a drawing and the box of crayons. There's only about 10 minutes left before the museum closes and we're one of the last people still there so they sit alone. I watch them colouring in the drawing, see the intense look of concentration on their face, the thought that goes into the choice of colours to use. I'm looking at Bethany and I'm smiling. If anyone else was to see they would simply see a 32 year old woman colouring in. They might see humour in it but that is all. Maybe. I see more I think because I know more. Perhaps I see more than is really going on because of it. Would anyone else see the innocence that they suddenly appear to have? Would anyone else think anything of the child like way they sit a little too close to the drawing? (I am yet to work it out but they do do this at other times e.g. when looking at the laptop screen they might get within a few inches of it. Of course it could be something small they're looking at but as I said, I've not quiet confirmed any pattern.) I watch Bethany colouring, occasionally walking around them so I can look at what they're doing better. For no other reason than their own benefit I use my phone to make a video recording of them (sorry, you may never get to see it). When they finish they sit up quickly and examine their work and they seem proud "All done". I go over to look and can't help but smile at the fact that the shading work is brilliant, far more advanced than I would expect from a 6 year old. But then that's a silly thing to say to a great degree as of course Bethany shares a lot of the knowledge and experience of them all. I ask her if she wants to keep it (I secretly hope she does) but she turns the paper over and see's some other kids effort and drawing and says "someone else draw on it" and carefully places the drawing on the pile of others with the final comment "they can see how they're supposed to colour". I take a quick snap and we head out the door.

Just outside the museum they spot a toy car on the pavement (that's a side-walk to you colonials) and squat down to it. They turn it over and push it up and down the pavement as far as their arm will stretch before standing up and placing it in their purse "mine now" they say.

And I smile again. I grab their hand and we go off in search for food (we end up at an English pub), my princess and I.

At some point very shortly after this (the toy car) I believe they switch back. There may be several switches going on as the topic of food is erratic, one moment being sure they want to eat then not wanting to eat at all. Of course any one of them can be indecisive, it's not a rule to use. Later on in my visit I see this a few times more.

*This post wasn't finished until 31st August so the language and style may be awkward compared to the posts before and after. An example being my reference to "switch", I haven't checked through to see when I first use that. I'm not sure if it should be posted as a new entry or forced back down the order so the time frame fits. I'll choose one and change it if necessary.
There are a few triggers I have seen whilst with them and I am aware some people both on twitter and in real life try and find them and use them. I don't know how Frank Et Al feel about that but I'm going to step up and politely request that you don't.