We planned to meet at 9:45 and we pulled in just before 10:00. Not too bad when you're trying to get three kids out the door at a specific time! Except, when we got there, we realized that Etta didn't have any shoes! FAIL! and *sigh*. This isn't the first time this has happened. Etta and Daniel both like to take their shoes off in the car, so most of the time we don't bother putting them on until we arrive at our destination. Then, when we get back in the car to go home, shoes come off! So, USUALLY there is at least one pair of shoes living in the car. On this day, Daniel had two pair and Etta had zero.
So, we unloaded the baby and the boy and I took Etta to go buy some shoes. Etta was NOT happy about the fact that we were leaving the park before she even got to play. She screamed at me for a bit, but I finally thought to tell her that we would "be right back" and she instantly calmed down. A few months ago she really started to "get" that I was going to leave her for a minute and then come back soon when I would tell her "be right back". Like, if I need to go change a diaper, I'll leave her in the play room and tell her, "be right back", she usually repeats me ("right back"). If I forget to tell her that "I'll be right back" when I leave the room, SHE will tell me "right back" and I reinforce with, "Yes, Etta, I'll be right back".
So, on this day, I told her we would "be right back" and we would be able to play with Grandmomma and Granddaddy, and Daddy, and Aunt Jessie, and so on. I took her over to a shopping center that I knew had a Ross in it. When I got to the shopping center, I realized that there was an actual shoe store there on the end and Ross' inventory could be hit or miss. SO, I parked in front of the shoe store and carried my shoeless five-year-old on my hip as I rushed into the store. But guess what... They only sell ADULT shoes! Of course! So, I continued to carry my shoeless five-year-old down the sidewalk, past about four more stores, until I came to the Ross. We went straight for the pink, sparkly, canvas shoes and high-tailed it to the cashier so we could check-out. Of course, the cashier was in NO hurry with the two customers in front of us and I watched in frustration as a second employee ambled around the customer service area straightening things up and restocking plastic bags while my getting-heavy kid wiggled and "fought" me in my arms. I guess I finally looked desperate enough or maybe Etta started to make enough of a scene that the lady called me over to another register. I paid for the shoes and she cut the tags for me. I slapped those suckers on my kid's feet and we took off for our car so we could go play!
We got back to the playground about 30 minutes after we left. Really, not too bad. Etta was excited to join Daniel and the rest of the family on the playground. It was a little hot, but this playground is mostly shaded and we all had a pretty great time!
Mel brought water and these little bathroom cups to the park. I have never tried an open-mouthed cup with Daniel before (he's played with cups in the bathtub). He usually uses his straw cup to drink. Well, this day he wanted some of my water so I gave him a little cup half full of water to see what he would do. I was BLOWN AWAY when he just casually took several "clean" sips of water from that little cup! He didn't choke on the water by tipping back too quickly and nothing dribbled down his neck. He perfectly drank from a cup. WOAH! (I don't mean to compare my kids, but Etta STILL can't do this properly.) I guess it's time to get some kid-sized cups!
After the playground, we went over to Chili's for lunch. My kids sure love chips and salsa!
OOPS! Cut off Daniel's head!
Dangit! Now Etta won't look! Just take the picture already!
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