Never go grocery shopping at Walmart with all 3 kids by myself. Last week after having an ultra-productive morning of not only giving the kids a bath, but cutting their hair also, I decided to get even MORE done and go grocery shopping.
So here's the scene. Usually when we go shopping, I keep Sophie in her carseat and put her in the basket part of the buggy, and I buckle Grace in the seat. Because Grace is my little runaway. However, having the carseat in the buggy severely limits the amount of junk that can be put in, and knowing that this was going to be a BIG grocery shopping trip, I decided to put Sophie in the seat for the first time. Although she can't quite sit up by herself for very long, buckling her up gave her just enough support that she was able to sit in the buggy without any problem. So, we started our shopping with Sophie loaded up and Ethan and Grace trailing by my side.
We were just finishing up with the produce on our list when Grace started darting away from us. Ethan, ever the worrier, started freaking out and asked if he could go get her. Knowing how they are, I thought that having Ethan run after her and drag her back (kicking and screaming, most likely) would create an unnecessary scene. Especially because she usually comes back easier when she doesn't think we're making a big deal. I've learned rather quickly that if you chase after her she just runs faster (laughing all the way) thinking she's a riot. So, I told Ethan to stay by Sophie in the buggy and I'd go get her. Well, I started after her and she kept running and then she darted left down an aisle. By the time I ran to that aisle, I didn't see her anywhere. I start running up and down looking in all the aisles and I couldn't see her anywhere. I ran back to Ethan and Sophie because a 4 year old isn't really capable of watching a baby for very long, while trying to find a Walmart employee to have them shut down the store so I can find her.
Of course I don't see any employees, but as I reach Ethan and Sophie I see a mom with a couple of kids of her own and frantically ask her if she'll stay with them because I've lost my little girl. Once I reached the Customer Service desk, the guy took FOREVER in getting her description and getting over to the intercom to make the announcement. I started to run back to get Ethan and Sophie to go wait by the entrance when who comes running in front of me? Why its Grace of course, looking all excited and telling me that she saw a High School Musical poster. What the bunnysauce? I think she lapped around the whole store. Well, I grabbed her -- right as the guy was making the announcement for a Code Adam -- and told her to NEVER run away again and that she scared me to death. I think it actually sank in to her because she buried her head on my shoulder and wouldn't look at anyone for a good little while. We had them cancel the Code Adam, and then went on our way to do our shopping. Fun times.
In other news, Ethan got it into his head last week that he wanted to hike the Y for some reason. Since this was our last free weekend before going back to the grind, we decided to go early yesterday morning before it got too hot. A lot of people had the same idea. We made it about 5 minutes up trail when Grace announced she had to go potty. I took her back down while poor Scott continued up the trail leading Ethan and carrying Sophie in the Baby Bjorn. After using the bathroom, Grace was more interested in playing with the rocks at the base of the trail than climbing back up. Luckily we didn't have to wait too long because Ethan didn't make it all the way to the top. Oh well. Maybe next time.
And finally, Ethan is starting preschool next week! I am so excited. And even more importantly, so is he. This is a big step for him because he is so resistant to change and he's very cautious and reserved by nature. We get to go to "Meet the Teacher" tomorrow and I know he can't wait. I took him school clothes shopping last night (along with Grace) and we got a lot of really cute clothes. It turns out that Ethan is just as fun to go shopping with as Grace! The kids decided that they wanted to put on a fashion show for Scott for the FHE activity. The funniest thing of the evening , however, was Ethan's stage whisper to me at the dinner table that "we can't tell dad how much we spent at the mall." Classic Ethan. He's not very good at withholding information.
Alright, I'm sorry there's so much text this time. I'll try and have more pictures in the next post!
12 comments:
Ditto. I had the same experience with my 2.5 yr old today at D.I. Envision: frantic running after a elusive child who is laughing hysterically, only I didn't have my older one with me, so I was trying to dart through the crazy DI scavengers with baby and cart! Some old people yelled at me. Took almost ten minutes to find her though.
Why do they laugh? That small detail makes me want to reenact the Homer/Bart throttle gag (not for reals of course, but that's how i feel!)
BTW, you are going to love preschool. It's blissful to remember what two kids was like.
I can't believe Ethan's ready for preschool! I'll bet you come to absolutely RELISH the time he is gone (in a good way). Sorry about Grace, but oh how appropriate that she managed to find something HSM-related. She really is your daughter!
I wonder where Ethan learned "We can't tell Dad how much me spent!"
hahaha that cracks me up. the haircuts turned out cute. please post pictures of Ethan's first day of pre-school. I love that he is so excited to go!!
I keep thinking that by the time I have 3 kids - I will be ordering all of my grocery shopping online and having delivered. I just know I will have these kinds of experiences too!
How fun for Ethan to start preschool! I hope he loves it and you get to enjoy the time with the girls!
i'm impressed you even attempted the Y hike with all three kids. and i'm having flashbacks to elle running away from me in the mall and hiding under some dresses. i hate grocery shopping with 3 kids. it's just all around not pleasant. i hope ethan likes preschool. i wish elle's was starting sooner!
Oh my goodness, I can SO relate! I'm glad little Sophie turned herself in :) Do they have those carts where two toddlers can sit in seats strapped in? It's a monster of a thing to push, but it's a huge help to me to keep everyone from running in different directions!
Your fashion show FHE reminds me of that fashion show that we video taped at your house when we were probably 10 or so. We both had perms, we were sporting our coolest neon puff painted clothes... Sounds like your apples haven't fallen far from the tree! I love your blog by the way.
Oh my gosh, kids can just give you a heart attack with out even knowing it, can't they? I'm glad you found her and my kids had a "run around wal-mart" problem too. Have a great school year!
There was a year I just never went to the store until Kalani got home and I could leave the kids with him. Just way to much stress. K isn't a runner but he goes into destructo boy mode making messes throughout the store.
What the bunnysauce?
He he he he, makes me laugh! How was meet the teacher?
I read this to Ryan and we're both dying laughing. Ethan and Grace sound a lot like Will and Juliette. She's the runner and he's the worrier. I've resorted to tying Juliette with a dog leash and harness, since she refuses the stroller anymore, and fights the grocery cart.
You put the harness around their chest and attach the dog leash to the back (I bought this at Target in the pet aisle.) It's retractable and gives them 12 feet of slack. It also has a brake that's lockable. I used it in the airport yesterday and it was great. As much as I thought people would report me to CPS for this, they've actually responded the opposite. I have people (especially old ladies) come up to me and congratulate me for being so responsible with my children. It may be worth a try with Grace.
Ethan's so cute for wanting to hike the Y. I can't believe you guys decided to try it as a family, I would have offered my kid Chucky Cheese or something in exchange.
Glad you're home and hope school is going well for Scott!
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