Why do I take the kids to the store?

Because if I do, I am guaranteed to forget at least half of what I was going shopping for in the first place. I guess I can't pin it all on them, because I went solo yesterday and forgot two things. So I had to drag everyone out again today to finish up. Jake, going through the hellion phase, was at his finest. He wasn't too bad in Walmart, aside from demanding a happy face sticker from the greeter, and the shameless begging for smarties at the checkout (he didn't get them).

We went to the library, which is where it all went downhill. He wasn't bad until we were waiting in line. He decided that breakdancing on the nasty library carpet would be a good way to pass the time. I got him to stand back up, and put my hand on his shoulder. I got the ole' "DON"T TOUCH ME!". It's phrases like that (another is DON'T TALK TO ME MOM!) that have visions of spankings dancing through my head. I had to renew my card, which sparked an intense begging for money session. I got him out of there, and to the car, where he tried to escape my grasp on his hand. I had heavy Daniel (who was sleeping, but woke up for the rousing version of "Mommy, give me some money") in the sling around my neck, a bag full of heavy books, and a thirty odd pound three year old trying to make a run for it. I resisted the urge to leave him in the parking lot, picked him up by the back of his shirt, and put him in the car. With so many shining moments in my motherhood career, I am wondering which will be the one that stands out enough to clinch the mother of the year award. It will be tough, I'm sure.

It is days like today that make me want to lock them in the house until they are whatever age it is that they become more manageable. But every tantrum filled outing makes my skin just a little thicker. Plus, I don't look around when my kid is acting like that. Kind of an if-I-can't-see-them-they-can't-see-me philosophy. Whatever works, right?