Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Comfort and Compassion Kid Style

We were at Costco AGAIN yesterday. I practically live there, and why shouldn't I? That place has it all. I was going through the aisles with 5 of the kids, telling them MANY O' TIME not to walk right in front of the cart "I can't see you", "I might not be paying close enough attention to you to stop in time...I am on a mission", "You're going to get smashed" etc. I think these are all very convincing reasons to steer clear of the front of the cart, but that's me. My kids like to walk on the wild side, they laugh at danger. Today, though, I think they might have learned a little something about velocity and getting in its way.
Here's the scene: We were walking with our ginormous cart back out to the car. It is starting to rain a little so I am walking a little faster than I would on, say, a sunny day. The parking lot is sloping gradually towards a drain. All of these factors contributed to what happened next, but none were as much to blame as Mr. Reese and his chosen path. It wasn't a gradual veer that led him to that treacherous place, but a sudden 90 degree left turn right in front of the cart. AND....he's down, SCREAMING as only Reese can. I pull the giant pack of toilet paper off of him and help him up. "Are you okay?" But, being the mean mother that I am, that was about as far as the compassion went. " Do you see why you shouldn't walk in front of the cart?!?!" and all of the reasons mentioned above were restated, along with the whole speed+intersecting vectors= no good quickie physics lesson. We got everyone and everything into the car and headed home, Reese still crying in the backseat.
Sometimes people give me a hard time for having so many kids. I loved growing up in a big family and am happy to raise my own kids in a not quite as big a family for many reasons, one of them being that there is always someone there to help you feel better. On this day, a little extra compassion was what was needed, and it came in the form of Maya.

Reese: "Whaaaaaaaaaaa!
Maya: "Weese, why don'tt you justt stop thinking aboutt yo owie, and then itt won'tt hutt anymo." (Her t's are always very crisp and enunciated.)
Reese: "WHAAAA! I can't stop thinking about it, it hurts so bad!"
Maya: "Well, why don'tt you think aboutt Gwamma wewing yo undowew and then you won'tt think aboutt yo toe anymo."

What a sweetheart.

11 comments:

Alicia said...

Whoa! I get to be the first commenter (commentor?)? Awesome! I love this story. Now, whenever I'm sad, I'm going to think about my grandma wearing my underwear, and everything will be better. :)

If you ever want someone to help you herd children, I love Costco as well. Give me a call and I'll totally go with you!

kthom said...

I'm thinking about your grandma wearing his underwear and it is simply hysterical! Don't you appreciate their sincerity? A few months back at Target, Cole and Brody were in those obnoxiously hard to handle 2 seat upfronter cart things w/o seat belts. Why no belts you ask...cause Brody was on the inside and Cole is well, almost 5 and very capable of staying put. Or so I thought. With stupid red icee drink in hand, I decided to continue on my shopping excursion ( I guess w/o fair enough warning) and the kid simply fell right out....RED icee all over the floor...WAAAaaaaaa. It was a mess, and quite a chore to clean. I had to remind him after his initial "Are you o.k.?" went down...I TOLD YOU TO STAY SEATED and PAY ATTENTION! It was glorious. xo

Tony and Traci said...

LOL! I love how the twins talk. They just crack me up. Little kids come up with the funniest things, but that is probably the best I've heard in a long time. I bet they will think twice before darting in front of your cart.

Heather said...

I think you should have a video camera hooked up to you each time you go to Costco. We all get such joy from learning we aren't alone in this! :)~Heather

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

I think I could never be a RS President because I lack the compassion! Totally understand you

libbie said...

Haaaa!!! Thats so funny! I am constantly telling my kids that I WILL NOT feel bad for them if I run over them with the cart after I have told the 12 hundred times NOT to walk in FRONT of the cart! I am so MEAN! Lucky you had Maya there for some compassion! Funny little stinker!

The Yancey Family said...

Haha! That was so sweet of Maya!
I bet Reese will be walking in front of the cart again next week!

Ranting of a Frustrated Pregnant Woman said...

I know, I know... I can come in April. I miss you too lots!

Em said...

This is so sweet! Congrats on running a 1/2 marathon, you are SO AMAZING!!!

Amberly said...

Ummmm, I am a little embarassed that I haven't read this until now. This too busy thing is for the birds. I loved reading your story though. It's nice to know that I am not the only "I told you so" mom out there. Maya is going to grow up to be a little comedian.

ROXY MARJ said...

Emily! Sarah and I were just watching the surprise video on libbie's blog just now! So awesome! You ladies are thee CUTEST!!! :[) How are you liking California? Philip and his wife and kids are moving there [northern] the end of July. Philip's wife just got a job teaching at Shasta College...
Hope all is well with you, you look so happy!!! ::)