Our Weekend 001

Baby Batman, clearly not as into it as I am

This weekend was the third annual SciFi convention, HalCon, and our first time attending. We got Matt tickets for his birthday and planned on going to see Billy Dee Williams on Saturday. We headed out early, met up with Matt's brother and sister and walked to the convention in hopes we'd make it there just in time for his Q & A.... ha! Wrong. 

We were greeted with a lineup around the block for registration, since we purchased our tickets online. Matt's siblings bought their tickets at the door so they could enter right away, I waited inside with the babies while Matt braved the cold outside in the queue. After an hour, he met up with us inside and we joined him in the line. Another hour passed and we were still in line with at least 100 people in front of us, then we heard rumours they were over capacity. The fire marshall showed up and we were all asked to leave. There was a boom in ticket sales and no limit on purchases, they had over twice as many people show up than they had anticipated and couldn't accommodate us all, refunds were offered for cash paying customers, but the lineup for refunds was at least three hours long so we decided to wait and go the next day. 

Max was incredibly disappointed after waiting what felt like an eternity along with hundreds of other disgruntled people, to have to leave without seeing Lando Calrissian AND wasting an entire Saturday afternoon. E was very patient, had a nap, played and made a few friends, was told she was "the most patient child ever", which she kind of was. 

So we left, sad and grumpy and ate our feelings at a burger joint down the street, totally worked. Since it was freezing, we walked back to Aunt Beth's house for hot chocolate and to complain as a group to Beth, who listened sympathetically. 

The next morning, we got there at 8 a.m. got in line and finally got in less than an hour later! I was doubtful, and grumpy, it was way too early for this nonsense to not work, again. But we were in and immediately overwhelmed, there was a lot going on and it was spread out over three levels and only an escalator to use....we took the stroller. Folks, I put a stroller on an escalator, this isn't new or shocking but it was terrifying! Matt almost wiped out when he tried to do it, clearly, I'm the more seasoned stroller-pusher. 

We spent a total of three hours there, the boys sulked the whole time, Max was scared of most of the costumes, Matt was confused as to what we were supposed to be doing and I was expecting to loathe every minute of it, I LOVED it. Had no idea that was coming. Seriously shocked. I was a crazy fangirl all of a sudden, and maybe it was because the boys hated it so much that I tried to make the most of it, or maybe I am a SciFi convention kinda gal and never knew. Either way, I plan on going back next year, without the boys.

More pictures after the jump....

If you squint you can kind of see Lando

Stay alert E, it's a Dalek!