Just your normal, everyday shopping trip...

Names withheld to protect the sure-to-be-traumatized-by-this-when-they-read-it-in-15-years children.

I went to the grocery store yesterday for my weekly shopping trip. I was feeding the missionaries that night and couldn't put off shopping any longer. I had a long list of things to buy and a short window of opportunity to do so. Annie was home in her crate and would need to be let out as soon as I got home. We would get home just in time for lunch. We got loaded up in the cart and started shopping.

Bananas. Check. Strawberries. Check. As we were on our way to the kiwis, E started saying in her typical fashion, "I need to go pee! I need to go pee!"

It wasn't the normal time for her to go; she's usually very reliable about her calls of nature. Whatever, though, I'm a roll-with-the-punches kind of mom. I parked the cart at the front entrance, unbuckled T, and guided my two kids into the women's bathroom. E got into the stall, closed it behind her, and promptly peed in her pants.

Now, I don't have a spare change of clothes for her or any of my other kids waiting in the van in case such an event does occur. Some people would, but I don't. I wasn't going home, either, because I really, really needed to get the grocery shopping done and this was the only chance I would get. Here's what I did:

I took off her wet clothes and shoes. Luckily, I had a plastic bag in my pocket from a walk with Annie, so I threw her wet things in the bag. I washed E off in the sink, put a T diaper on her (it barely fit), and put her in the shopping cart. She was clothed in a long sleeved shirt, vest, and a diaper. That was it.

Then I headed back inside the store. I bought new underwear, pants (well, technically I bought her a new outfit. There weren't any pants I liked and I liked the outfit a lot), and the cheapest shoes I could find: flip flops. Good thing it wasn't freezing outside!

I checked out my purchases (including the bananas and strawberries), then turned right around and headed into the dressing rooms. E took off her diaper and got dressed in her new (Tinkerbell!) underwear, pants, and shoes.

Then I finished my grocery shopping.

Temporary insanity

We got a dog.

Yes, that's right. A dog. Actually, a puppy. Puppies are worse than dogs.

Don't ask me why. I was the one who actually made the final decision. I think that somehow I got this idea that it would be easy. Ha! It's like a bomb went off in our house.

I would give her back, but I can't for four reasons:

1. We've spent too much money on her.
2. Matt won't let me.
3. This would be the first thing to come up in my childrens' therapy sessions in 20 years.
4. Actual quote from Eleanor: "Mommy, yesterday was the best day I've ever had, because we got a dog, and I love her, and I love you for getting us a dog. Thank you, mommy."

She's a great dog when the kids aren't around her to rile her up. We got her from the shelter and she's a collie/Boxer mix but looks all Boxer to me. She's 8 weeks old and her name is Annie (name courtesy of Eleanor).

Constant attention.

This is the face of a happy girl.

She's a very beautiful dog. Eric, are you jealous yet? You can have her!