This weekend, I took B grocery shopping. A mundane task that most everyone dreads doing with their kids. And something that most 4-year olds do with their parents on a regular basis. I can't remember the last time (if ever) that I took B to the store though. There have been a few times recently with big brother but not just the 2 of us. I wasn't sure how he would do now that he's too big to be contained in the front of the cart. When I shop with big brother, I either have him walk and help or he rides in the main part and I pile the groceries around him. Having B walk wasn't really an option (he would likely bolt) but I also thought he would get into anything that I put in the cart. He did really great though. He did babble quietly to himself most of the time but nothing that would draw any attention. He waited a loooong time at the pharmacy and in line too. He left the groceries alone until they were bagged and then helped himself to some goldfish. Honestly, I saw at least 2 or 3 other kids behaving worse than he ever has in public. It was a good trip. I was glad we were able to be just like every other 4 year old for a change. Even for something as mundane as grocery shopping.
That was last weekend. Flash forward to today when we tried again to do something like other regular families. Big brother's preschool had a pizza party and since Daddy had to work, our PCA and I took both boys. So I guess you could argue that we already were NOT like other regular families. Still, I was excited for B to get out and to have some fun. Unfortunately, it was pretty much a disaster. It started out well and B was excited and running around. But then it got crowded and there was a very LOUD performer and lots of kids running and jumping and being crazy. At first B tried to leave and then he just decided to cling to me and insist on being held. I had to hold him standing up because if I tried to sit, he would push on me until he could get me up. He refused to eat a bite even though it was pizza, goldfish and cookies which are usually huge hits. If there is a silver lining, it's that he didn't melt down and we didn't have to leave. But I don't know how much longer I'll be able to hold my very tall, very heavy boy this way. I'm sure I looked ridiculous and I'm sure people were wondering if I was crazy. Big brother didn't even really have much fun. For some reason, he decided to be shy and just sat with our sitter the whole time. And then he too asked for a piggy back ride when leaving. I didn't feel right saying he was too big after I'd spent the whole time holding his equally big brother. I guess I got my weight lifting in for the day. I got some nice words of encouragement from our preschool teacher though. As I walked by with B on my back, I muttered "I don't know why I try". And her response was "I love that you try."
When our sitter was leaving to go home, she literally had her hand on the door and B took it and led her away. She went with him because she (like I) was wondering what on earth he wanted. He led her all the way to the basement and asked her to "bounce me" on the big red ball like he had requested several times earlier today. So we ended on a high note. How awesome for him to be that motivated for a social activity. It's better than awesome actually. And on the heels of a very difficult evening, it was just what I needed to keep on trying.
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