On Friday, Caroline and I went to pick out baby shower invitations for a shower I’m hosting in about a month. And no, this one will not be at my house, and yes, everyone I know is pregnant right now. I’d say it’s something in the water, but you and I both know that’s not how you get pregnant. You get pregnant if wear your clothes too tight and drink wine coolers…at least that’s what my mama told me when I was in high school.
Anyway, there are really few experiences more pleasant than trying to make a decision in the midst of a fine stationery store while surrounded with other breakable things and a 4 year old. Early on, Caroline found a lady bug photo album that she felt she needed to buy. Since her income level is roughly ZERO, that means it would be my money buying the album.
I told her no. She just received over a gazillion toys for her birthday and she doesn’t need one more thing, even if it is a photo album in the shape of a bug, complete with googly eyes.
I paid for the invitations and we were headed towards the door when I noticed she had something behind her back.
“What do you have?”
She pulled out the album and showed it to me.
“Well, you need to go put that back where you found it.”
She did after slightly protesting, but she could tell I meant business.
We got in the car and I prepared to launch into my lecture over the various 10 commandments.
“Caroline, you can’t ever take stuff from a store without paying for it. When you take things from a store without paying for them, that is called STEALING.”
I glanced in the rearview mirror and I could see the wheels turning in her little head.
“Well, when you take people’s toys from their playroom and throw them away, that’s also called STEALING.”
I am in so much trouble.