Lessons learned this week

Lesson #1 People and their bumper stickers don't always match up---

Take for example the lady who almost mowed me over in the school parking lot in her rush to get her daughter to class on time. Bumper sticker: Drive Slow, you never know when a school is near.

Lesson #2 Never buy hard liquor with children in tow. Or at the very least, don't try to do it sneakily.

In my attempt to procure some peppermint schnapps for my hot chocolate, I decided to brave the grocery store liquor aisle with Catfish and Roomba. I figured having only two of the boys wouldn't look as bad. I stealthily placed it in my grocery cart, behind the cereal. And I figured I was safe. Catfish hadn't noticed and wouldn't "out" me.

I hadn't figured on the bag boy being a connoisseur of Peppermint Schnapps.

He promptly engaged me in a loud discussion of the merits of one brand versus another. The taste difference, the cost variations, the alcohol content. Now mind you, I'm not a prude. I just wanted my alcohol and I wanted it quietly. I didn't want the entire Hannaford's front end to know about my purchase. Oh well, it still tastes darn good in the hot chocolate.

Lesson #3. Don't be in such a rush to judge...Listen to your kids...They're smart cookies.

Today I was rushing Sparky out to school and lecturing him on NOT losing his newest piece of snow gear. He had never taken his headband and gaiter and I really did not want it to disappear after one day. So on the way out the door when I noticed he was carrying them and not wearing them, I promptly launched into my lecture (again) about not losing them. About how they were expensive.

I could tell I said the wrong thing. The face sunk down, the eyes turned sad. I tried to ignore it as I buckled him in his seat. But I realized I was going to have to apologize.

"Honey, I'm sorry. I just don't want you to lose them. I shouldn't have fussed."

"Its ok Mom, I just was carrying them, because I thought if I put them on it would take too long and we would be late. "

*GULP* on my part. So all my fussing about keep it moving, lets go, lets go, we're going to be late had sunk in and he was doing his part to live up to my expectations. And instead of being happy that he's moving right along, I'm fussing at him about another expectation. Oh those humbling mommy moments.

So I thanked him for being considerate of our time. And I apologized again for fussing. And I began to say, "Its just that they're expensive..."

But he cut me off and said, "I know Mom, you were worried about them being expensive and I was worried about being late. You were confused."

Yup. I was. They certainly aren't more expensive than listening to you and your reasoning. That is priceless. I'll try to remember to ask why next time instead of just barking orders.

Thanks hon---