A Successful Morning Shopping Trip

I don't even know what it was. But today, so far, we've had success.

A morning shopping trip with C and Talmage because Alaska is in school. C had no school today, Halloween, because her teachers are doing parent/teacher conferences. I had hers at 9:15 and was told stuff that was surprising (good) and stuff that is like, "Oh, so now you see it?" not so good. I am not so crazy. It's just nice to see others struggle, ya know? To be recognized for the hard work I am doing.

C knows a large majority of her letters and sounds and can say a word that begins with that letter. She is able to problem solve on her own, as given an example of a whole long process she did one day.  Which the teacher pointed out is often the norm, but it shows that she is capable. Math is still a struggle, as is sharing and delaying her gratification and obeying rules.

We did a quick in-and-out at Target where I knew exactly what I needed and didn't even bother putting Talmage in a cart because he was doing a great job holding hands and keeping up. C was staying close, which we had talked about before going in, and there we were. Two kids and a mom. C carried the two items that we went in for and I wrangled Talmage a little. Because, even if he can hold hands in the parking lot and keep up with me while we cruise to an isle, once we are at the destination his hands start wandering and I here him chirp, "Me, me, me" at things that he likes and wants to bring home. Note to self, he's still not aware enough to be out of the cart.

Which is funny to me. Because if I had another baby right now, he would be the big boy, and would need to keep his hands in his pockets while in the store and I wouldn't have the option of plopping him in a cart. We rise to what is expected of us. And right now, I am not expected to have a 2 year-old who walks beside me without touching stuff, so it's just easier to put him a cart and contain the matter for a few more months. I hope I am not doing him a dis-service.

Target went well so I was prepared to go a quick Old Navy trip. I had done my research online and knew what I needed to be looking for. Found it all by only having to do one back-track loop in the store and then looked at little girl clothes for a little too long, which Talmage let me know all about. He is so noisy sometimes. Not necessarily unhappy noises, just loud. Gum saved my buns this round. A promise of a piece of gum if he could be quiet and then we were out of there. C carried the clothes that I had picked out for her and an extra pair of leggings she had found. She had been carefully staying close and while I was looking at some things she busied herself looking at leggings. When she picked a pair I had to explain to her that the (xs) was too small and she needed to find a hanger with an (m) on it. She did and also found an (s) for Alaska. It was pleasant.

At check-out there are all. the. things. C touched many a thing, saying that she wanted it. We had a good conversation while the cashier put in my coupon codes about putting things on our birthday lists and how we had gum in the car waiting for us already. She was receptive to it all and we made it out without any troubles.

Breath of fresh air! Sweet relief! We did it! And I just had to come here to blog about it because it was such a miracle!

Oh! And! And they had both been doing so well that we went to Panda Express for lunch. This is something Alaska and I have been doing since she could chew food. And even before that. It's our most favorite tradition of going into Hillsboro/Tanasbourne and doing our shopping and then getting lunch before coming home.

C and Talmage waited at a table while I ordered, which is also a huge step from C having to come 'tell me something' while I am trying to do our orders. I got Talmage the rice and teriyaki chicken and he was even big enough to eat the rice while leaning over his plate. These milestones! C ate her chicken, which is also a big step, because that girl won't eat chicken unless it is heavily marinated and no longer resembles chicken. That last time I took her to Panda she tried one noodle, a taste of chicken and declared herself done. We are making progress!