A few weekends ago, while watching the girls, we treked out to Target. Needless to say, it was NOT an enjoyable experience (most of them are). In lieu of the long-drawn out re-inactment of the evening, I just thought I'd share some highlights....
1. Mistake # 1....allowing the girls to convince me to use the "fun" kid cart....you know the one I'm talking about....the one that looks like a car (or some other addition). Now, some of you might think ~ well, what's so wrong with that? Three kids....two seats....do the math!
2. Mistake # 2....actually believing the girls could rotate the seats nicely and not cause a fuss.
3. "Oh, look at that....3 little girls...how cute" Yeah! Real cute....NOT right now, they're not. You obviously haven't seen me giving the stern looks and repeatedly saying "no", "stop", "sit down", "be quiet", "hold it", "one more time", "Gabriela", "Isabela", "Maya", "we're out of here"......
4. Gabriela throwing a temper tantrum because I didn't let her take everything out of the cart and place it on the checkout belt.
5. All girls buckled up in the carseats and the van running but not moving. 1....2....3....4....5....6....7....8.....9.....10. Breathe, CC...breathe.
6. "Girls - I want you to sit still, do not move, do not make a sound...not one peep.....all the way home. Otherwise you will go straight to bed. Not one word. Sit there and be thinking about how you acted in Target.
7. Ahhhh....silence IS golden! I'm actually in shock that they are so quiet....they are still with me, right?! Check.....
8. Three girls file out of the car and sit on the couch. Isabela, then Gabriela, then Maya.
Conversation on the couch:
CC: Now, girls ~ What were you thinking about in the car? What do you want to say to CC?
~ silence ~ then I see a little hand raised.
CC: Yes, Isabela (I'm trying very hard not to laugh) What were you thinking about on the way home?
Isabela: "Well, CC, I was thinking.....I was thinking that I better be thinking of something!"
~ go ahead and laugh...that's what I did. I couldn't help it! It was just so darn cute.
CC: "Ok, Isabela, but what were you thinking about?"
Isabela: "Me no listen"
Gabriela chimes in: " That's right girls. We did NOT listen to CC. We were not acting right in Target and we know that we are supposed to listen to CC. CC likes to take us with her but if we keep acting like that, she will just stop. Isn't that right, CC?"
CC: "yes, that's right"
Isabela raises her hand again and once called upon says: "Me love you whole bunches, CC"
ooooohhhh man......
CC: "I love you too, Isabela"
After 3 apologies, 3 hugs and 3 I love yous.....all was right with the world again.Now, I only share this story b/c I love those 3 little ones. Most times, I share all the good/positive stories, and for the most part they are. However, in all fairness to my sister, she of all people would love you to know that her 3 little angels are not perfect....and as much as we love them, they are challenging at times. While I am not a mother (yet!), I've had the privilege of being a big part of Gabriela, Isabela & Maya's lives. They have been my surrogate kiddos and have taught me so much about love , patience, and forgiveness. I am blessed to have such sweet and unconditional love from three beauties....and I sure do treasure the hugs, besos and "I love you's".
3 girls and a pizza place....the girls love to watch the guys at Double Dave's throw the pizza.
Enjoying candy canes picked from our tree
Silly girls "working-in" all the stuffed animals in our nursery (not sure if you can see it or not...but all the girls are in the PJ's, red rain boots, wind breakers and un-brushed hair! Gotta love it :)
Merry Christmas from Uncle, CC, Gabriela, Isabela & Maya!
A must....after all the cookies!
Look, CC ~ all clean!
