Today

So I'm trying this new "life organization" scheme which forces me to dedicate one day a week to running errands, and today was my designated "errand day". (Not counting yesterday, when I also ran errands. Let's just say starting today.) This less-than-realistic plan is meant to force me to save time and gas and do more planning ahead. I think more realistically though, it may be counter-productive.

By the time we got to Trader Joe's (our last stop of 4), Kate had a melt-down. Not the tired whiny kind, but the full-blown screaming tantrum kind. This child was hopping mad. Literally. She was jumping up and down. I had to suppress a giggle because it was kind of cute and hilarious. But only kind of. Surprisingly, I didn't lose my cool. I stood outside the door and held her while she shrieked and kicked, and finally it was just too cold so we stepped inside, much to the chagrin/amusement/certain annoyance of the other customers. An employee rushed to bring us a handful of balloons and stickers. Several people muttered, "Good luck!" as they passed. One woman stopped and offered her help, though there was clearly nothing she could do. "I just remember those days!" she said. I told her this was a rite of passage for me, and added a martyred smile.

Eventually Kate calmed down (or wore out) enough to let me tie the balloons to her wrist and finish my shopping. As we got into the car, and were driving home, this song was playing on the radio:

[DISCLAIMER: I know, you're thinking, "Krista doesn't listen to country music! BLASPHEMY!" And normally I don't. But I still have some country stations on my presets from when I was pregnant. It was my little indulgence... yes I was a closet country fan. When I was pregnant, rare was the occasion when I hopped in my car and arrived at my destination without tears streaming down my cheeks. Pathetic I know. Darn country music.]

Anyway. I just had to smile and remember to enjoy this time no matter what. The hard times make the good times even better. And then, before we reached home, Brooklyn started screaming. Kate said sweetly, "Look, Blookyn, a balloon! Blookyn, want a sticker?" and then started singing a medley of every song she knows, "Chocolate milk, chocolate milk, give oh give away, how much is that dog...gie in the window? Ruff ruff!" (Because I told her once that her singing makes Brooklyn stop crying.) So sweet. She was on my side now - the tantrum calming side. Lesson learned.



Well my house is a wreck, Brooklyn is NOT napping, and I still have to cook dinner and teach 4 piano lessons tonight. So... I think I'll go make myself a cup of hot chocolate.