"What lies behind us, and what lies before us are small matters
compared to what lies within us."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Tough Love

What do you do when everyone wakes up at 6 am? Well, I thought about baking delicious homemade blueberry muffins (for about a second). I considered taking a power walk. I could even fold laundry.

But, in the end, the french toast at IHOP was calling my name!




I think Francesca broke a new pancake consumption record.






Since we had such a good Saturday, I decided to push my luck and go to Target today. Catherine is having a birthday this week and I needed to get some supplies.

I managed to drag my mom and Grandma along with me for moral support. Plus, I was excited because they have a really cool handicap tag so we can park up front. Of course the tag did expire in 2007 and it is from Florida, but we really like to live dangerously.

My plan was that Catherine would happily stroll down the toy aisle and choose a birthday present, which I would quickly slip into the cart without her knowing about it. Such a thrill.

Catherine's plans somewhat deviated from my little fantasy. She planned on holding onto everything she saw and buying it RIGHT NOW. She didn't care that her birthday was not today. She was tired and she was hungry. She wanted me to carry her throughout the entire store. She let the entire store know this.

I decided to do the whole "natural consequence" thing and I told her if she didn't stop screaming, I was going to take her home. I gave her a 2 minute warning and a whole speech about proper behavior in a store. I told her she was going to miss out on all the fun. I was feeling very empowered for about a minute.

Of course, Catherine immediately saw the error of her ways and apologized. NOT. While driving the 5 miles home, I congratulated myself for being so consistent and making such an impression on Catherine's young mind. Meanwhile, Catherine was looking peacefully out the window and counting trees. She seemed pretty darn happy. It was very annoying.


This is what I managed to buy before we left the store. All of these supplies were crucial for my survival. Too bad Catherine will not be having any of it for her birthday.


By the way, Catherine wants a cake shaped like a fire truck.
Given my history of baking, I'm sure it will turn out to be sensational.

11 comments:

  1. I don't know you, but you make me laugh so hard! Thanks for typing what you really think. I love it :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Good grief you make me laugh aloud. Love this blog. I don't know you but if I did I'd bring chocolate and coffees and just enjoy laughing while I helped you out with whatever needed doing :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you! i can start my day now!
    I love it here!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow, you did it again! You totally managed to start my day with laughter! Thank you, Catherine!

    www.littlewonders.blogspot.com
    www.faithsetfree.blgospot.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love the spontanious IHOP trip!

    I'm a little behind with reading blogs but want to make sure you're connected to our After the Rainbow group? If not please shoot me an email and I'll send you an invite.

    Also, if there is anything I can help you with please feel free to email me.

    Blessings,
    Rachel Whitmire
    Post-Adoption Care Coordinator
    Reece's Rainbow Down Syndrome Adopiton Ministry
    rachel@reecesrainbow.org
    www.reecesrainbow.org

    ReplyDelete
  6. I do love the french toast at IHOP! It's what I always get becuase it's the one breakfast food I've never really mastered. My husband always gets a hair (in his food that is) - yep every single time. I'm amazed he'll still go there with us.
    My kids get up at 6am everyday and it's never once inspired me to go somewhere. I always feel like it's bad enough to be up at 6, having to get dressed right away would just be depressing.
    Good for you on the natural consequences thing - I can never do that in a store because I LOVE to get out of the house and it would be a way bigger punishment for me. Instead I do an unnatural consequence like no tv the rest of the day. (which turns out to be a bigger punishment for me too:))

    ReplyDelete
  7. You seriously are cracking me up. Your blog inspires me! IHop for breakfast with all your brood... man you are brave!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I LOVE reading your blog! You inspire me to laugh out loud and not care who hears me! You are my hero! Keep going sister and eat some of those yum yums for me!

    ReplyDelete
  9. You are hysterically funny, I'm so glad to have found your blog!!! Love IHOP and trips to Target. I could spend all my time in the bins in the front where everything is $1. It doesn't take much LOL!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. you are awesome!
    I have left grocery carts in a store just to prove a point!
    aren't we just too smart!! :)
    hugs,

    ReplyDelete
  11. You are just too much fun to read.

    ReplyDelete

Sorry, I have to moderate comments because of spam!