We really only make it to the zoo maybe once a year. This year we were able to go with my family AND Buck's family, which made for a great time, (and crazy trying to keep a check on all those little kids!) Rose was especially fun this time around- she is really fascinated by everything right now so she was super excited about all the animals, more so at this age than June and Hazel ever were.
June and Rose also fed the giraffe! (Hazel didn't want to.) But aside from the giraffe and one photo of the polar bear, I only have photos of the humans that I was at the zoo with, not the animals. Maybe it's because they are my zoo everyday?
Last week I was able to go to the Alpine Loop. I didn't know if I would manage it this year but I'm so happy that I did! Those vibrant colors never get old to me. I was sad that June and Buck weren't with us, but I was happy to have my dear friend Dayna and her son with us! She came to visit me for a few days last week and it was a treat to have such a long time friend come around, someone who loves to talk about deep things and who was also more than willing to wear Johnny around in the wrap. ;) It was a good afternoon for the eyes and the soul.
This past week I made the worst choice of my life. MY LIFE.
I went to the grocery store with all four kids.
It was partly out of need but mostly it was a rash decision based on my loneliness- I couldn't stand being home for one more minute. I have so much anxiety right now being in there with all four kids... BUT the problem was that anywhere I could have gone would have meant driving home in rush hour traffic with the added bonus of construction and a newborn and toddler who hate being in the car. So the grocery store was the best that I could come up with.
But I'm a fool! At first I had two carts- I pushed the big one that was filled with a car seat and Rose. June pushed a tiny kid cart and Hazel sat in that.
And let's just talk about how I had squeezed into some shorts that didn't really fit so while I drove there I had unbuttoned them for comfort. And you can see where this is going... of course I forgot to button them up again so I spent a good ten minutes roaming the produce while my shorts were not only unbuttoned but also incredibly unzipped- and fulled exposed by my shirt that was stuck up above it. So how many people got to witness that? I shudder to think.
So after I, ahem, fixed that, I raged through the store aisles throwing in pretzels, animal cookies, and cereal- anything that looked like it would make them quiet and happy at home. All the while chanting, "Stop running with the cart June!" "Rose, sit down! Do you want a sucker? Money? A CAR?!" "No shhhh, Johnny, you're okay, please take this pacifier!" "Hazel! Don't throw things!" "No, you can't put five cartons of ice cream in the cart!"
Johnny's cries
grew louder as I dragged the cart along, my hand in his car seat
trying to calm him down. But it was no use... we had too far to go
still and he was so mad. So I got him out. June took over pushing my
cart and Hazel got out and pushed the tiny one. So now kids are all
over as I'm bouncing a mad newborn in my arms while a small army of
shopping carts circled me.
Up ahead I saw
the Halloween section, tucked nicely away in the back quiet corner of
the store. It's there I sought refuge. Among the pails of pumpkins,
bags of candy, and cheaply made costumes, I found large rack of those
costumes and sat down with the fabric somewhat hiding me and I
proceeded to nurse Johnny. And no, I didn't have a nursing cover with
me. It was going okay, the girls were thrilled to find light up
skeletons and masks to play with. But as Johnny gulped up his milk
some kids came down our quiet path WITH their DAD, of course. I tried
to hid my exposed self behind the Iron Man, the hulk and the witch. And
they stayed there forever and didn't even take anything to buy. THANK
YOU.
And by the time I
was done and we were heading to the check out I had let the girls
pick out a treat for “being good” about 18 times, forgetting each
time that I had already let them. We looked dire enough that a few
people came over and offered to help me, bless them. And as I was
leaving and the cashier asked robotically “Would you like any help
out today?” I held back my sarcastic, “What do YOU think, idiot?”
And instead politely replied “Yes, please.”
And now I know,
you know? Next time I'm desperate to leave the house, I think I'd
first go to the dentist before going back there again.... with all of
them. I've learned my lesson and from here on out and I will be diligent
in ordering my groceries online in time to actually do the pick up
instead.
I know other people have worse horror stories than me about going out with all their kids- share one if you've got it! We're all in this mess together! 💪
This weekend we miraculously made it out to our favorite briar patch to pick raspberries- just like we've done since June was a newborn! I nearly skipped this year because I am so stressed all of the time (if I'm being honest) but the stars aligned and Buck came home early on Friday so we decided to venture out. And I'm really happy that we did. It was a good reminder to me that there is life outside my house and it feels good and refreshing- that it can be fun to be alive and not just a chore- that I enjoy being on this earth. ;)
Rose was SO happy to be able to roam free and pick berries and eat them. June and Hazel were excited too. Johnny slept and then nursed. Buck carried around his milkshake. And we came away with over a pound of berries!
Currently there is a horrible wildfire nearby where this berry patch is. It was okay though while we were there...
But as we headed to the car the smoke started to cover us up and ash began to rain.
Pretty spooky. And sad. This fire has consummed and destroyed a whole mountain and canyon- so many hiking trails, lakes, waterfalls... all GONE. Everyone in Utah is devastated! And it's still not over yet.
Anyway, that was a bummer way to end this post so... Yeah! I'm grateful we were able to go and continue on with our tradition.
