Tewsdee

Today I took all three kids shopping, and even used coupons. I feel like I could rest on my ample laurels for several days. Which I intend to do.

Avee was given the warning if she didn't stay by the cart, she would have to get IN the cart. For her, that was much like the time in 3rd grade my mother made me wear knickers to school. And I don't mean English knickers.

She lasted about 10 minutes but then decided to go screaming down as many aisles as she could. So I put her in the cart. After the very skillful game of pretending I didn't see her or hear her and getting her worked up so she would come close enough to demand my attention so I could grab her and avoid the whole scene of large redhead flailing down an aisle with 4 month old hanging from crook of elbow and 2 and a half year old yards and yards ahead screeching gleefully because it's all in the thrill of the chase. For her.

When she started screaming, I reminded her that this was the consequence she agreed to before we entered the store. She calmed down, and I thought my parenting was masterful, but I realize now it's because she was already working on her escape from the cart.

However, there was no escape. What happened was, I reached to put back the box that had more calories per serving and suddenly Avee is flipping head first from the back of the cart. Or the front. The end that doesn't have the child seat. I yelped and lunged for her, but she was holding on to the cart, so she didn't fall. She just sort of hung there, suspended in air, kept up by her tiny little grasp.

How it looked then, was as though she was suddenly going to do a somersault through the air out of the cart. Her knees curled up to her chest, but legs up in the air, her head smashed against the cart, and her screaming and Bo yelling, "Wow, that's AWESOME Avee!" When I pulled her up, she had the grid of the cart imprinted across the most prominent part of her forehead. Which made me laugh. And Bo too. She was not happy. However, that event kept her seated in the cart for the next half hour. I'd just say, "remember the cart flip?" and she'd behave. Love natural consequences like that.

Nextly, Bo has started cupping his ear when he doesn't hear me. I am certain the boy is half deaf because he spends most of his day saying, "Say that LOUDER" and I really don't think I'm a low-talker. But twice I went to "yell" at him at the store for running off and he'd turn around and cup his ear, looking earnestly intent on hearing my scold, and then all I could do was laugh.

Thirdly, I'm going to Utah in two days. I am so excited I asoiwenglk aidygwki can hardly see straight. It's just me and Danyo and we're gonna party like...like a 4 month old and his mama do. I am going to meet some very cool girls and spend time with some good friends and family. My friend is getting married. That's why I'm going.

When I come back, my 2 year old will be potty trained (the fact that she isn't yet is totally my fault, I figure a child who can say, "Mom, as soon as I'm done pooping, will you change my diaper?" is beyond ready) and my 4 year old will think I hung the moon again and won't blame me for things like his apple having seeds or his paper getting crumpled when he's at school or shoes coming untied. It will be like heaven.

I'll be back in about a week.