Ballerina in the making

No...not me--though I was in ballet for a while a LONG time ago. I actually have very fond memories of it. I know a friend of my mother's helped with the bow that was sewn on the shoulder. I could go on and on about my adventures of ballet. Like I said, I remember it very well...I loved it.

Me as a ballerina, 1986

While up in the attic today rotating toys, I ran across this old ballet costume of mine. Of course, Robyn saw it and snatched it up. She spent much of her Sunday afternoon in it dancing all over the house!

I think I found her halloween costume....just need some ballet shoes (I'm sure I can dig some old ones up at grandma's house).

Reality Check

Most people set their new year's resolutions at the first of the year. In our family, it seems that we set new goals at the beginning of the school year because let's face it...in the summer you're too busy having so much fun with hectic schedules, vacations and eating whenever or wherever. Did I mention the "vacation" part? You're either more or less active than you normally are when it's not Summer break. I think I'm finally over Summer vacation.

We're about a month into school and I have to say: Oh. My. Goodness. We're trying so hard to change some really bad habits around here and find solutions for some--challenges--that we've been faced with. And we wanted to add some new habits. Good habits. Heaven knows we don't need any new bad habits.

1. Physical activity. Notice I didn't say exercise. Use that word in a sentence and everyone starts to murmur...yep, even me. I thought I could initiate this as a mom (go on family bike rides, take a walk, etc). Apparently, those activities aren't "cool" enough. Our ideas of physical activity don't match. So, I introduced The President's Challenge to help us out.

My kids love to track and tally everything and get rewarded in the end. So, this program works for them. I love it when Aidan says to me, "But mom we have to go because I need 30 more minutes of physical activity!" I especially like how this program includes "housework" as one of their approved physical activities. So, I don't feel like I have to get out there and run a marathon everyday. Now I look at my kids (and my hubby) and watch their endurance level go through the roof! They have way more points than me while I'm "dying" over here trying to keep up with them.

Also, for the first time EVER we've let the kids (and us parents) pick at least one physical activity to be involved in outside of school/home. This was a HUGE decision for me because many of these programs take us away from home way too much. And the last thing I want is a crazy schedule just to get us to and from. But, we did find some programs that were a healthy balance for us.

2. Emergency Preparedness. We're still working on making this more family oriented. I go through phases of really focusing on this. We can make it through a hurricane. But, with the current drought situation Hunter asked me "Mom, if we had no water coming into the house would we be okay?" I panicked for a moment. So, I inventoried our water storage for the first time ever and realized we were WAY short of what we should have. Course, that led me to inventory everything. I found out one thing: we have PLENTY of peanut butter! This is definitely a work in progress...

3. Meals. This one kind of goes with #1. For a while there I was making some yummy, healthy meals every night. I thought I was in heaven. Then I realized we had a problem: I was the only one eating them and it was exhausting work for me! It was clear I needed to re evaluate this goal. You can't just change your family's eating habits overnight. Not that ours were bad--but we could be better. I'm trying better to let the children have more input on what we eat and I'm learning how to "sneak" the good stuff in. I've added A LOT of new recipes to my meal planning to get us out of the rut of eating the same things too often. I'm buying ingredients that I've never bought before (ex. liquid smoke?)! One thing I've started doing is finding those things that my family loves that's store bought and trying to make it from scratch at home. Yeah, it's a bit more work but it ALWAYS tastes better!

4. Ready for an upgrade. If I post it here for the whole world to see maybe it will actually become a reality. This home has been great for us and I feel ridiculous saying this (especially when you think about how small homes used to be with more people in them) but we're ready to move to a bigger home. Not to mention, Jaren's job (that he started back in March) requires a much longer commute than before. So, we'd like to live closer to his work. But, can't move unless we sell the home we're in. Obviously, this requires LOTS of preparation and it's just not happening fast enough for us. On the top of our list: backyard landscaping, replacement of floors and repairing some walls that I decided to start ripping the wallpaper from. Again--long sigh. I will have to face this idea that I probably can't accomplish these tasks on my own. Anyone up for helping? The thought of having to hire professionals...

We pray that maybe there's someone out there who wants our home just the way it is!

But, like the title of this blog: Reality Check!!

Are we really going green?

Back in August I purchased the Going Green Lunchbox for my boys.Honestly, my initial reasons for buying them wasn't to cut down on plastic baggies. I'm not a "going green" fanatic. I was just tired of the containers that I was using...they would never fit in the lunchbox nicely. I wanted a box that used neither plastic bags or extra containers for more convenience. Course, at that time I didn't know how hard it would be to find the lunchbox that would solve ALL my problems. I ran into so many products/moms that were obsessed with "going green" and eating healthier...enough to make your head spin. I'm not advocating against such practices but give me a break...

While I found the perfect lunchbox I can't boast that my kids are eating perfectly healthy now or that I'm any greener (didn't use plastic baggies much to begin with). I never changed what I put in the lunch box.

Anyway--why I bought the lunchboxes is beside the point. I LOVE them. My kids LOVE them. And, in the end, that's all that matters, right?

But after packing lunches for a while now I can't help but notice that manufacturers make it hard for us to "go green" (if you're trying) or cut down on packaging.

I'm waiting for the day that MOTT's will sell flavored applesauce in bigger containers (not just in the travel size PLASTIC cups).

While I understand the need to individually wrap granola bars--why can't they just sell them like cookies?

When more stores (besides Costco on a good day) will sell the bigger containers of Apple and Eve Fruitables (our favorite juice)--and not just the individual juice boxes--I'll be less frustrated.

Typically when I'm done packing a lunch you'll see one container of applesauce, a juice box and a wrapped granola bar (and every once in a while a wrapped candy)...the only thing not wrapped is their sandwich and chips...doesn't look like I'm "going green" at all (not that I was really trying). And, I can't blame myself!

Do I really want to resort to mixing my own flavored applesauce? Or making my own granola bars? I could do that...but who am I kidding?

When the bow breaks

It started about a week ago when we converted Robyn's crib into a toddler bed. Not a day later the mattress frame completely gave way...broke in four places. Luckily it sat only about two inches off the floor so no one was injured in the event.

This crib has served us well for all three of our children and for the babes and tots who used it before us (we bought it at a garage sale 10 years ago). I just got done taking the whole thing apart this afternoon...hence the post.

For now, Robyn just sleeps on her mattress that sits on the floor. If anyone has a toddler bed that needs a new home, I'm interested!

Thanks friend

I had planned to do some serious birthday shopping for a certain boy in the family. I was going to be at it all morning and into the afternoon... I was preparing for a long (possibly frustrating) day shopping for the perfect gifts. Who knows if I would have been able to find what I was looking for.

Instead, I dropped it all and went for a nice long walk with a friend!

It made my day. It made my week!

Thanks friend! I sure needed it. I'll go out tomorrow or Monday...or Tuesday...

New vehicle

I decided long ago that I was not a minivan person. But, I'm not an SUV person either. I was in between. Crossover vehicles really appeal to me. You get the seating and a bit of extra space--but not minivan space. I was okay with that. However, we came to learn that Crossovers just aren't as popular as everything else...near impossible to find THE perfect Crossover vehicle with an affordable price tag.

We finally opted to trade in the Ford Explorer. Let's face it, 4 seats--5 people in the family. It just wasn't working for us anymore. The search was on when child #3 came around and we knew a bigger vehicle would be in store. Until then our family vacations and outings would come to a stand still as there was no way 5 people and all of our belongings would fit in our Galant. This fact alone led us to purchase a bigger vehicle sooner rather than later! I've been itching to go on family outings (for longer than a day) and I just couldn't take it anymore!

After two weeks (and a new battery) I'm still not sold on the whole minivan idea.
But, a minivan owner we are! It'll take me a LONG while to figure out all the bells and whistles. This van is loaded with them! Let's see if it grows on me...and I'm sure it will.

AFTERTHOUGHT: After reading a few of your comments I have to agree that little ones do enjoy pushing the buttons that make the van do amazing things. Robyn loves being able to see out the windows. However, now she absolutely refuses to ride in the car!

sigh...

I really should be folding the laundry (that Robyn so happily dumped all over my living room floor). Or I could be doing dishes and cleaning the kitchen....again today.
Maybe put the groceries away.

So boring. So don't want to.

I'd much rather just roll around in the clean laundry like they're leaves!
Or make my kitchen even messier by making cookies, breads or muffins.

I'm torn as to what I really should be doing so I just sit here and type ....

Overflowing

I know I haven't updated in awhile. I promise to post a bit more often AFTER my brain is done working in overdrive (umm, here's to hoping that actually happens). A part of me is convinced that this is how my life will be from now on...

I've been soaking up so much mentally and emotionally these passed two weeks that I cannot begin to pretend that I've got it all together! I cannot remember the last time that I felt like my brain just couldn't take in anymore! It's overflowing, on fire, in overdrive...however you want to think of it. Just trying to manage and organize it all.

But, I have to mention that at the same time it's all very exciting!

A Week in Pictures

I was going through my camera the other day and noticed quite a few that I didn't take. The boys have gotten quite comfortable with snapping a few pictures here and there without asking permission. Here's a few for your enjoyment.

I've had several people ask me what my hair was like right after taking out those "Jamaican" braids. It was not fun taking them out. Even though I liked not having to deal with my hair for a week...it was greasy and still smelled like the shampoo that I used on the cruise ship! Ick.
It took several washes and a few head massages to get my scalp and hair back to normal.


Our little secretary. She's obsessed with "sharpening" pencils. At least trying to.

Our Christmas tree. Notice what Robyn's role is this holiday season? It's fun having a toddler around. I should care that she takes more ornaments off than she puts on. I really don't. It's just not a battle that I want to fight so I make sure I don't have to. Yes, I find them all around the house (even stepped on a few). But, 98% of our ornaments are nonbreakable. The other 2% are up higher. I don't care if she's content with taking my ornaments off. She can stand at the tree for quite a while admiring/handling those ornaments. There may be a small pile on the floor UNDER the tree when she's done but...oh well. Some do still get broken (or pulled apart). Nothing a little glue can't fix...if I even bother.

The World's Smallest Nativity. I really wouldn't know but that's what this little set has been named by all of us in the household. The tallest figure stands about as tall as your standard paperclip.

8 Things

Okay, Toni tagged me and I must admit that I haven't done one of these in a while but here goes:

The rules: Mention the person that tagged you. Complete the lists of 8 things. Tag 8 of your wonderful bloggy friends. Go tell them you tagged them.

8 things I look forward to:
1. School to be out for the year.
2. Our Cruise to the Caribbean in November.
3. My first veggies from the garden (we're almost there!)--though we've already had a handful of green beans.
4. Getting our bedroom finished.
5. The day when mosquitoes become extinct (hey, a girl can wish--right?)
6. When Aidan is old enough to babysit and mow the lawn.
7. Fall weather.
8. A finished yard.

8 things I did yesterday:
1. Picked a few green beans.
2. Made two hair bows.
3. Went to the Book Fair with Hunter.
4. Wandered Hobby Lobby and Micheal's.
5. Made grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner.
6. Rocked Robyn to sleep (love it every time).
7. Taught piano lessons.
8. Finished two loads of laundry while watching a movie!

8 things I wish I could do:
1. Go biking (if I owned a bike).
2. Get up happy every morning.
3. Take a road trip.
4. Please my 6-yr. old.
5. Play my favorite piano pieces without messing up.
6. Get my clarinet fixed.
7. Hang out outside all day.
8. Keep the critters out of my strawberries.

I tag Karen, Conrad, Krissy, Melinda and Cindy

Left hand on yellow!

I guess Jess knows a lot of Ashleys....

I have actually been tagged twice concerning folders and pictures. The first is the 4th folder with my 4th picture. Course, I have folders within folders within folders before I get to any pictures. I just picked the 4th one every time:This picture was taken back in the Fall of 2004. So, Aidan would have been 3. Twister used to be one of his most favorite games. He would fall down on purpose after a while. The best part was spinning the arrow and calling out the instructions. Aidan always felt so important.

This next tag was for locating the 6th picture in your 6th folder. I'm including this tag as well because I was pleasantly surprised at what picture came up: Yeah, all you see is a picture of pumpkins. Well, not only is it quite fitting for the season, but this was the VERY FIRST PICTURE I ever took with my brand new camera that we purchased back in Oct. 2006. So it has some sentimental value to me. But these pumpkins sure do look nice don't they?

The 'Spell Checker'

I should call this my "Quirk #8"....misspelled words! For some reason I've been bombarded with this problem much more than usual this past week. And, sadly it's been in letters and advertisements that I see or get in the mail. (FYI: this problem does not bother me in e-mails or blogs). I have a rule: If I get an advertisement with misspelled words in it I don't buy from them.

This reminds me of a most embarrassing day that I had years ago that involved a simple typo...

I used to work at McDonald's. Yes, this is true--almost ten years ago now. Anyway, I'd been there about a week and it was finally time for me to be trained on "the counter." Time to learn how to take orders and use the register. During the next several hours I was pretty impressed with how fast I was learning this. However, I had been getting some odd looks and comments from customers all morning and I didn't understand why. Then, I noticed that my manager had put a sign in front of my register proclaiming this:
Does anyone else see the problem?? My manager told me he'd fix it. So, here's what he does:I know...so much better, huh??

Jaren has a 2005 publication of The National Dean's List which he's listed in. There could have been atleast 180,000 of these published. This is supposed to be a fancy book where they list all the college students in the country who are recognized for their "outstanding, academic achievement." Great honor, right? Then, you start to read the publisher's letter starting with the very first sentence:Does anyone else see the grammatical error(s) here? It's just sad.

And it doesn't stop there. Every week we get a newsletter from the Elementary school and it's always got misspelled words in it! I'm reading something typed by a person who is invloved in teaching my children and I find misspelled words. That's just not right.

People, please! Take time to spell your words correctly before you proclaim or publish publically!

7 Quirky Things

I've been tagged!! I'm supposed to list seven quirky things about me and then challenge three other people to do the same! I honestly believe that I've grown out of many of my quirks, but then we just get new ones, right?

1. If I have to share a room with a group of children over the age of five, I'll go crazy rather quickly. So birthday parties....yeah, we're still working on that. And, I'm so glad I'm "unable" to volunteer at the elementary school right now.

2. I'm a party pooper when it comes to Halloween and Valentine's Day. I mean, what is the big deal?

3. I don't wear shirts that have to be tucked in! I don't wear generic T-shirts either (unless it's for hard labor).

4. I hate making phonecalls! Especially if the person on the other end is a stranger (which is always the case when you have to contact your insurance, your bank, your credit card company, etc.). If all the world would communicate via e-mail what a nicer place it would be. This is such a phobia for me that sometimes I'll go without solving an issue for weeks before I finally get up the courage to do it or Jaren does it for me (he gets so frustrated with me because of this). Calling for a babysitter is the worst!!

5. Everything MUST have a place. Don't misunderstand...I'm not a neat freak. My house can be a mess, but when we pick it up I'm proud to say that everything has a place. If it doesn't, it'll sit there until it does. I'm bad enough that I will reorganize the whole house to find a place for one thing. So, yes--I'm always reorganizing (ask my husband).

6. I like "colorful" meals. For example: If you're going to have mac n' cheese you need to have atleast hot dogs and peas with it because mac n' cheese is ugly by itself. If you're going to have baked chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy you must have a green vegetable (not an orange one like carrots or corn) and sprinkling it with parsley helps too.

7. I like to serve my meals in serving bowls with serving spoons instead of right out of the pot/pan. I don't care if Hurricane Ike just came through and my electricity is out. I will still serve my guests from serving bowls. So what that I have to wash them by hand because I can't use the dishwasher. Pots and pans are for cooking in, not serving out of. And you certainly don't put the pot/pan on the table to serve out of. If you must serve from the pot, keep it out of sight.

Rereading this, gosh I'm so weird!

I tag Jamie, Maria, and Cindy!

16 going on 29

I was out shopping today with Robyn and I got "the look" again. The look that says, "What in the world are you doing with a baby?" I always get certain comments and looks when I'm out with my babies and it's been going on since I had my first. Sometimes I just get SOOO tired of it...

I appreciate the "grandmas" who compliment me on such a beautiful baby. I can even tolerate the tween who just stares...creepy!! Anyway, the comments I just can't get used to are all the negative ones that have to do with how old "I look." (I get the same looks when I'm pregnant.)

"You're too young to have a baby!"

"It's teens like you who make it look like it's okay to have one!"

"So, do you know who the father is?" (WHAT???!! Do you see the ring on my finger?!)

"Oh, you have such a cute little sister!"

"Where's your mom? Or, are you here with a babysitter!" (again, WHAT???!! Do I honestly look 12??!!)

Sometimes I want to say, "You think this looks bad, I've got two more at home!!" What's wrong with these people?? But, then I think about what day in age we're in. Why am I so surprised...

Seriously people, do I look that young?? Don't answer that...

Some of the comments I get...come on!! I wish I had better comebacks. I should just embrace it and have fun with it, right Andy? Anyone got any good comebacks--please share!

Course, maybe someday I'll share with you ALL the stories Jaren and I have as a married couple. Before we had our own kids we were never seen in public as a married couple--always just siblings or father and daughter...I know, sad. How about the time, two days after we were married, we checked into a hotel and the receipt said "One adult and one child!" Hello??!! For the longest time whenever we'd go into restaurants it was one adult menu and one child menu ...

My favorite, when it was just the four of us...the family was going to dinner with one of Jaren's best friends. We walked into a neighborhood Applebee's with Jaren and his friend Nate leading the way with me and the two boys trailing behind....The hostess just looked at us. Okay, we were in Seattle so who knows what she was thinking!! But, in the end, she tried to hand us two adult menus and three kids' menus. People, just ask--don't assume!

That's just the tip of the iceberg. Hey, we were even featured in our local newspaper back in Kennewick, WA because we looked so "mismatched".

Everyone says I should embrace the fact that I look younger than I am. I try to use it to my advantage but I do try my hardest (usually) to look my age. Thankfully, I do act it...so that helps.

Me, 1997, age 17 at my Jr. Prom

Do I really still look like that (minus "a few" pounds and gray hairs)??

I've fallen, but I did get up...

Okay, why I feel so inclined to write about this on my blog, I don't know. Only that I keep playing the incident in my head. I'm thinking, if I get these feelings off my chest I'll feel better.

For those of you who weren't there (and for those who were) I had a good fall in Relief Society yesterday. Course, I was fully loaded--with Robyn in one arm and my heavy church/diaper bag in the other. Before you ask, Robyn is fine. She was already crying before I fell. Hence why I was trying to leave the room. Okay, I've never seen a bunch of women jump up so fast and come to my aid right in the middle of the RS lesson...and it good one it was.

My first thought when I fell was "This is so embarassing!!" I landed on my other side...the side that I was not carrying Robyn in. My second thought was "Oh my gosh, I almost landed on little Owen Smith (younger than Robyn)!" Again, how embarrassing.

I could not get out of that room fast enough. I made it to the foyer and literally just cried. There were other issues involving feeding and changing Robyn that heightened my frustration, but I won't discuss them here. Needless to say, once I got in the car with the family I pretty much broke down and started telling Jaren about my last 1/2 hour of church. I calmed down and thought, "This day better get better!" And it actually did!! By the time I got to bed I realized that I had pulled a muscle in my thigh and in my lower leg when I fell. It hurts a little, but no big deal.

Now that I think back on the whole "falling" incident I have two thoughts. 1) I hope the sisters in RS aren't thinking, "Wow, she can't even walk! I hope everything's okay at home!" Or 2) I noticed we had a few new sisters in RS...I can just see myself meeting them and introducing myself as "I'm Ashley--you know, the lady who fell in RS a while back." And they'll say, "Oh yeah--I remember you!" How embarrassing!

I've deduced that there was one main culprit that caused my fall. A miss step wearing heels while trying to lug around a bag that really is too heavy. I was very lopsided--Robyn weighs much less than my bag. So, I've come up with plans to lighten my load (ditch the heavy hymnbook after Sacrament meeting) and to make carrying Robyn easier.

Don't know about other moms out there but I HATE those infant carseat carriers as carriers...they're big, bulky and heavy and so uncomfortable to haul around so I just don't carry her in it much anymore. I have recently purchased a Ring Sling and I LOVE IT (thanks Krissy C. for the inspiration). And, I'm still wondering why in the world I didn't use it on Sunday after sacrament meeting....????? What's wrong with me!?? It's not that I chose to make things more complicated....if I would have had her in her sling instead of in my arms, I wouldn't have been so off balance. Oh well. I guess it has been this fall to help me realize that I'm really not getting around too well with my baby and I need to address this issue with myself.

In conclusion, there is nothing major in my life that caused this fall. It was just a fall...nothing more, nothing less. I have to keep telling myself that. Falling really isn't big deal. I need to just get over it. I'm fine...really. I have every intention to solve my "balance" issues and stay on my two feet next week at church.

There, I feel better...thanks for letting me get this off my chest!!

What the...?

I was picking up around the house and couldn't help but notice my boys' lego creation.

Anyone got any ideas who these three guys are? Stormtrooper meets Skeletor meets ????

And, what's up with the guy hanging--what was his crime? Does anyone else notice the head without a body? The Stormtrooper with a spear...I guess he couldn't find his gun in that pile over there.

Mmmm....gotta love their imaginations!

DUE TODAY!!

I have to share this realization that we made today:

So, I was getting ready for the day this morning and the alarm on my cellphone goes off. I'm thinking, "Why in the world is my alarm going off?" I don't recall setting it for today. Then, as I'm turning it off I read the "reminder" note: 8/06/2008 BABY DUE!!!
I gave out a chuckle and first thought "Ha, like I need a reminder for that!!"

Shortly after that my 7-yr. old was looking at the calendar--as he often does to see what's going on for the week. And he looked at me and so matter-of-factly said, "Mommy, it says we have a baby due today! How long will that take?" Again, I chuckled. I explained to him what the word 'due' meant. Then, I explained that "the baby" was already here--she came 16 days early. He's still trying to figure how in the world that could happen when the calendar says she is DUE TODAY!

Just because you write an event on a calendar--doesn't mean it'll actually happen.

Ironically enough I was putting all my maternity clothes away this morning as well. Surprisingly I was sad to put all those cute clothes away. I may not have physically liked being pregnant, but I liked my clothes for those 24 weeks that I got to wear them! So long maternity clothes--until we meet again! Then again, it does feel good to be wearing my pre-pregnancy clothes again.

Memories, anyone??

Alright, Toni--we'll give it a shot and see what happens. Here's the instructions to all who read:

Leave a comment on my blog of a memory that you and I have had together. It doesn't matter if you've known me for a short time, or a long time, anything you remember! Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you.If you leave a comment, I will do the same on your blog, and if you don't have a blog, we can email :) And if you have never commented, do it now so we can play "trip down memory lane".

Oh, and just for Toni:

Jaren Fort with Cerise O'Connor at Haystack Rock in Seaside, OR (Jan. 2006)

A 'Fully Interlocking' Home

I initially pulled out our collection of puzzles to put them all together to see of any of them were missing pieces. No, I'm not just going through a period where I MUST see if all my puzzles have their pieces--that would be "not normal". On the contrary, I wanted to use these puzzles for Twilight Camp this week. So, as a result, the boys have been putting them together for me...over and over again these past several days. Honestly, I think we lost our minds...now my house is ONE BIG puzzle cuz there are completed (and not so completed) puzzles everwhere!!

In the kitchen...

On the boys' art table (this is my 500 piece puzzle that Aidan started cuz he wanted a bigger challenge)

On ALL the end tables in the house...

The ottoman (there are 2 puzzles here)...

And ofcourse, all the open floor space is being taken up by puzzles

But, I must confess that our family LOVES puzzles (maybe not Jaren so much). If I had a designated puzzle table in my house, there would ALWAYS be a "fun" puzzle out to work on. But, at the moment, I have no table big enough for my 1000+ puzzles. I've used my kitchen table before...yeah, we ate on TV trays for a week. And my kitchen was off limits for fear that someone would mess up the puzzle--unless they were actually there to work on it. Decided using the kitchen table wasn't such a good idea after that.

A trip to the store...

Okay, my day is barely half over and I'm not sure I can keep going!!

It all started with a typical errand day. Actually, it's been awhile since I've had both my children with me as my oldest is always in school when I would have days like this in the past. But, with school being out--I have both boys home all the time. Honestly, I dreaded this day. It started with a trip to Wal-Mart. I knew this would be a big shopping trip. I went to great lengths planning our trip: mapping out the store, dividing up my list, eliminating the not-so-important stuff, etc...

Why did I bother...

I should be prepared for the shelves NOT to be stocked. I try to allow my kids to feel involved by letting them find certain things that we need but it never helps when the shelves aren't stocked and the item can't be found...kid gets frustrated that he can't find it...throws a tantrum...feels responsible that the item isn't there.

Letting my child "drive" the cart. He's a pretty good driver actually. But, he's a "Sunday driver." So, it takes us FOREVER to get from one aisle to another. I shouldn't complain...atleast he's occupied. The problem comes when both kiddos want to drive...

Okay, trips to the bathroom are pretty normal no matter if I make the boys go before we begin our shopping. But four times!! Of course, you're never near a bathroom when someone's really gotta go. But, I'd rather take several detours than the alternative. I think it took us almost an hour just to get through half our shopping list.

Bathroom trips--not a problem compared to our next adventure...again still in Wal-Mart. Not sure if any of you moms out there have experienced this little adventure. If you have--I can now sympathize with you. Your child throwing up in the store--as you're running to the bathroom. Now that I think about it, it was handled as well as it could have been handled. But, as the mom, I couldn't help but feel rather embarrassed and apologetic to not only those shoppers around me, but to the poor guy who had the wonderful privilege of cleaning up after us. Hey, I've been there...I know what it's like to clean up some stranger's vomit. Believe me, I would have done it myself if I had the chance. Luckily ALL the people around me were moms and were empathetic to my situation. But, nothing could take away my feeling of embarrassment. But, hey--atleast he finished in the bathroom and didn't mark anything but himself and the floor. This is now trip #5 to the bathroom.

After that ordeal I was torn between taking my obviously sick child home or finishing my shopping. I decided to continue with my shopping since he seemed to perk right up once he had emptied his stomach. And I knew if I left--it would be another 24 hours before I came back--not to mention my cart already full of stuff. Course, there was the vomit-stained shirt, pants and sandals that ofcourse was a BIG DEAL. He refused to walk anywhere with the oh-so-dirty shoes on. We washed the sandals in the sink (trip #6). We quickly grabbed some inexpensive clothing in the boy's apparel and we changed his clothes--right there by the rack. I was NOT walking back to the bathroom!! As pregnant as I am, I was done walking that worn path that we had made to the bathrooms. And then the older brother had the audacity to vocally declare his jealousy of not getting new clothes like little brother...I refused to go there.

We finally got out of there 3 and 1/2 hours later!!! That includes the time we spent waiting in the check-out line while the lady in front of us proceeded to go the oh-so convenient bank in the store so she could pay for her groceries (good thing we didn't have to wait for her to order a Big Mac and fries and get cash back). And, that includes waiting for a "price check".

In the end I realized there was stuff on my list I didn't even get to, let alone buy. The rest of my errands certainly are not done yet today...but I'm exhausted. Needless to say, we came straight home.

And, to top it all off, I just realized that I left a bag of groceries there...