playing with fire

Lately I've been avoiding taking all four kids to the grocery store at the same time. It's nice having the one-on-one or one-on-two time by taking one or two kids at a time a couple times a week (I'm not a person that hates grocery shopping ... but I hate plenty of other things to make up for it) or sending Simon with the boys when we're out of bananas .... again. And if I'm being perfectly honest it's a lot easier and faster with fewer in tow (you don't say, Grace!) and it's sort of nice not to garner loads of (understandable) comments and stares on occasion. But! Sometimes I do a poor job of timing when I run out of my thyroid meds and have totally maxed out the number of days I can go without and no my pharmacy doesn't have the drive-thru option and sometimes Simon works too late every single day SO ... I have no choice but to make the sojourn with the entire crew.

WHAT is my life? All woe, I know.

One of Sebastian's hidden talents (and another reason I avoid trips a la everyone) is sneaking things into the cart without my knowledge. He goes into stealth mode and takes full advantage of Phoebe's stranger danger cashier freakout and quickly loads his secret loot to be scanned and bagged before I've even had time to say, "nope, no coupons - like always!" over the roar of Phoebe's cry (that Simon recently witnessed and said would make him turn bright red if he were all alone, she's that loud). For a long time he was on a generic marshmallow kick. We had more bags of marshmallows than a rice krispie treat making factory but soon he realized that he didn't even like marshmallows and started thieving little pouches of pureed fruit, "for Phoebe!" Right. But last week he went in an entirely new and fortifying direction ...

hot popcorn.

it was the color of Cheetos and tasted "like fire and cactuses" according to Julia and Sebastian's eyes started water working after he tried a fat fistful and he swore off eating them ever again right then and there.

And while I can scold him and laugh at his just punishment you know who I found silently stuffing their little (and big) faces with the flames?

I normally have my phone holstered and will never forgive myself for not catching Theo + Phoebe (Thoebe?) in the actual chipmunked cheek act ...

... well, here's 1/3rd of the culprit crew. Those guns of Pillsbury don't grow themselves.

And the child that loved it MOST of all ...

... his/her middle name shall be Shameless.

(and I'll welcome your judgement if and only if I slash the baby make a repeat purchase on purpose. Stay tuned ... )