Shopping With Children: Part 2

Can it get much worse than yesterday's trip? Oh why yes it can....

My day was fairly well laid out and included scrubbing my whole house and preparing an over the top meal to impress my husbands new friends who were coming over. (PAWS: Perfect Army Wife Syndrome)

Hubby called this morning to tell me he locked his keys in his car while at the eye doctor. I don't have a spare. I begin searching the internet to find a tow truck or locksmith who can pop his lock without stealing our savings in the process. He called back interrupting my search to let me know he Mac Gyver'd his way in with his leatherman.

Back to cleaning. Shortly after got another call from hubby. He went to get his oil changed and they discovered he needed a belt replaced. Okay.... he also needed me to drive over and give him some cash so he can pay for it. Ugh!

Shower, and hop in the car. We paid and decided we should grab some lunch.

Ate some extremely crappy chinese food. (never again!) Paid too much.

Went on post to get my money refunded from yesterdays trip to the store.

Saw some very cheap fruit by the foot and cereal bars on my way in. ($.75/box)

Got my money refunded, no questions asked.

Stood in a long line at the self checkout stand. Was told I can't use the coupon's properly there.

Went back outside and got 2 new coupons.

Got back in line.

Got in a fight with the checker over coupons. (WAY condensed version)

Started to cry.

Complained to manager.

Went BACK OUTSIDE and got 10 coupons.

Got escorted to the front of the line to pay.

Left in such a huff I forgot to go to the bank.

Came home.

Called my Mom and whined to her.

Cleaned and cleaned and cleaned!

Prepaired my super awesome yummy dinner.

Took another shower since I was sweaty from all that cleaning.

Grilled my super yummy dinner all by myself. (sad I didn't get a picture of it all done)



Had a great relaxing evening with super friends while the kids played.

Shopping with Children

Yesterday, following my lazy trend, started with the potential to be a do nothing day. However mid afternoon I decided that if we'd like to eat the next day a trip to buy groceries was in order. I also needed to make a few other stops on post so I drug the children out for the afternoon.

Fellow mothers will know how fun shopping with three children is, and mine seem to be among the worse. They climb on everything, touch everything, and all three tend be be going in a different direction. That said it's no wonder I'm not the most foccused shopper.

I pulled into the parking lot to find they were having a huge case lot sale in the parking lot. Seeing as I was in need of a costco run- I decided to check it out and save a trip. I found great deals- but keep in mind we were in a parking lot so my Super Mom Senses were on high alert. Everything was done by check list and I put Logan in charge of that. At the end you were met by a 16 yearold super focused young man who's job it was to retreive any frozen items you'd like and also make sure you're inventory sheet was done correctly. I asked for a case of chicken strips and another teen nicely threw the large box my way.

"You know, I don't think I'll have room for all this in my freezer", I said. So back on the truck it went. He explained to me the step by step checkout routine in wich one must park, pay, retreive, and then be "signed off" by another young oh so reliable teen.

I proceeded to pay, while screaming at my children NOT to roll down a hill and into the parking lot, and to not climb on another customers cart, blah blah blah. At this same time I'm realizing I will have to do some marathon shopping inside in order to preserve the 6lbs of strawberries and 40lbs of beef I just purchased. (not an over estimate)

We unloaded and went in for round two- regular shopping. Then luckily hubby was home to meet us on the other end since I still can't lift. Score one for ME! He was inquiring like all good husbands do about how much each item cost. He worked grocery for years and KNOWS what "good deals" really are and never trusts my judgement. As I received approval on all my bulk purchases I was getting proud. He really loved the 20 beautiful fresh cut New York steaks I got for less than $40.00!!! Yes- I know how to make men happy, a freezer full of red meat gets them every time. THEN..... he asked the total "One fifty" I said proudly. He looked puzzled. "Can I see your receipt?" he so kindly asked.

AS IT TURNS OUT.... I neglected to look over my inventory sheet carefully and was chargedfor $26. something for that huge case of chicken strips I decided not to get. Ah the joys of shopping with children. Let's hope I can go down there with my receipt and get things straightened out.

A good excuse to be lazy.....

Is there really one?

The movers come in 7 days. Yes, only 7- although we have yet to hear from them. So really... is it that big of a deal that I have yet to put my folded laundry away? Is it awful that bathrooms just got a quick wipe down instead of their weekly scrub? I have to do a really good job next week so really who cares. It dawned on me I could probably get away without touching the kitchen.... but quickly had to nix that plan when I found out the movers won't move anything dirty. Wouldn't ya know I'm out of paper plates too!

I've also been having a hard time adjusting to being a stay at home mom. Don't get me wrong I am not complaining (okay well maybe just a little) but I'm just not used to it. I've found myself in this rut of not getting dressed and sitting around all day doing absolutely nothing. Nice for a while but now it's taking it's toll.

To compound the rut the children are bored as can be. This in turn leads to fighting, wich I LOVE so much. Nothing better than listening to bickering kids all day long. Their boredom makes bedtime harder too since they're not warn out and there for simply can't lay still and fall asleep.

Thankgoodness we've finally found some friends. They are a nice 25 min car ride away but I tell you worth every minute of "he's touching me". I now have a reason to get showered and dressed by 4:00 in the afternoon. The adult conversation is a saving grace.

I hope things get a little better once we move on post and the kids begin sports and making friends there.

I hope I hope I HOPE!!!!

A successful 4th

350 soldiers were successfully reunited with their families and the people they love most.

I took the kids to freedom fest. No one got lost, or hurt. No one whined (they were warned on the way there).








I took the kids swimming since it was way too hot to stay at freedom fest that long.
Nobody drowned. We even had the pool to our selves most of the evening.

We ate taco bell for dinner- yes I know it's not very "american" of me.

Hubby finally got home shortly after 8 pm. He ate his cold taco bell and as tired as he was got dressed and we headed to fireworks.



It was packed and there was no room to sit in the stadium. It's okay- we found a spot right next to the cannons. That's now my favorite part. It was so neat to watch them fire cannons in unison to music and fireworks.



We cut out a tad early and watched the rest by the car to get a head start out the gates.



And that my friends- is a great 4th of July!