Amounts

So I realized a few weeks ago that I made a 2010 New Year's Resolution to update this blog on a regular schedule and was going to try for once a week, and it's now 2011. I was feeling a bit burned out, so I'm probably going to roll back to the once a week schedule, but that depends on The Gremlin, and when he decides to surprise us.

(above: the Gremlin sulking because he felt the bus was taking too long)

Which happened the other day - the Gremlin was coloring at the table while the Mother of the Gremlin was making her weekly rounds through the ads delivered in the mail. The Gremlin was watching her, and asked about different notations.

"Mumma, why do you circle those?"

"That's what I'm looking at getting this week - if it's part of a recipe or on sale."

"Why are there numbers there?"

"So that when I go back through with my list I remember and write down how many I want."

Later that day in the store, the Gremlin was insistent on bringing both the MOTG's list and the sale ads. We didn't figure out why until we got to the juice. When the MOTG put one in the cart, the Gremlin cleared his throat.

"Mumma, did you check your list?"

"Yes, buddy, I got apple."

"But how many?" And he pulled out the sale ad where he had scrawled a '5' as only a 4 year-old can. He had also done this with the fruit snacks, most of the fruit, and the flavored water the store sold.

 (above: the Gremlin being a Droideka)


Favorite Toy of the Week: General Grevious Action Figure

He's Becoming a 'West Coast' Kid

The Gremlin had yet another exciting trip to the store the other day. He'd gone through the process of shopping with the Mother of the Gremlin, which I can verify is no easy task. While putting his inventory on the conveyor belt he noticed a lack of items that he wanted.

"Mumma! I want five kiwis and five peppers!" The checkout clerk laughed as the MOTG responded.

"Buddy, I don't think you're going to eat five."

"No, mumma! I will!" The clerk was laughing at this point and joined in.

"I bet you won't eat five peppers." The Gremlin glared at the intrusion and snatched up a pepper.

"I bet I will! Bell peppers are my favorite!" And with that, he bit into a red bell pepper like it was an apple. The clerk burst out laughing.

"And you can have that one for free." He looked at the MOTG. "I've never seen a kid to that before. Did you just come from the Health Food Market?"


Favorite Toy of the Week: Mandalorian Battle Pack Lego Set

Just Another Day At the Store

The Mother of the Gremlin was at the store this week, after she had this exchange with the Gremlin.

"Momma, can I have some yogurt?"
"Sorry buddy, we're out."
"Momma, can I have a cookie?"
"No, buddy, we don't have any."
"Momma, can I have some milk?"
"I think we're all out."
"Fruit?"
"Yeah, we ate all those too, buddy."
"Momma?"
"Yes?"
"Can we go to the store tomorrow?"

So the MOTG left the little darling in the cart and began to go down her list. Everything was going well until they reached the bread aisle. The MOTG, being health-conscious, picked up a loaf of wheat bread. The Gremlin stood up and pointed.

"I want this one." He pointed off to the loaves of white bread.
"No, buddy, we're getting this one." If there's one thing the Gremlin doesn't like, it's being told 'no.' He set his feet, put his hands on his hips and started yelling. The darling said - I kid you not -
"Woman, I'm sick of this healthy stuff! Get me some chocolate I need a candy bar!"

This turned more than one head, and as the Gremlin continued to rant, an older woman walked over to him and asked if he was being a good boy. He stopped crying, no trace of a treble in his voice and looked up at her.

"I don't need to be good - I'm adorable. And a genius."

The Gremlin lost that argument, but with his one treat he chose Hershey's Chocolate Syrup. They ended up at the checkout, where the MOTG was approached by a man, staring amusedly at the Gremlin. Apparently he was a spectator at the Gremlin's meltdown in the bread aisle, as he spoke to the MOTG.

"So he won this round, huh?"

When they finally made it home, the MOTG parked and unhooked the Gremlin from the car seat. He immediately asked to be carried inside. The MOTG looked at him.

"Buddy, you have to walk so that I can carry groceries." The Gremlin considered this momentarily and then countered.
"Or momma you can carry me and I can sit and watch TV while you go back for the groceries."

I'd like to say that the MOTG won this battle, but that would be a lie - especially after the meltdown in the bread aisle. At least the Gremlin was quiet while she finished bringing the groceries in...

Pants STILL On The Ground

The Gremlin was at Target the other day, and with his personality he gets very possessive. So when he does get his one treat at the store, or even something extra - like a Thomas sheet set, for example - he clutches it in both arms and ignores everything else around him. Being of slight build (125th percentile in height, 76th in weight), we frequently have trouble securing the waistline of the Gremlin (who to this day doesn't understand why he needs to concern himself with snaps or buttons). It struck again at the store, and he was dutifully following his mother when his pants found themselves around his ankles. Without the use of his hands, and without his mother noticing, the Gremlin began to assess the situation.

With his hands full, the Mother of the Gremlin didn't expect any trouble once he was in line to pay, holding his sheet set. She didn't immediately turn around when she heard the woman behind her laughing, so when the cashier motioned for her to look, it was already too late. She turned just in time to hear him speak to the rest of the line behind them.

"Aw, c'mon, lady! It just happens sometimes!" And without attempting to pull them back up, he turned around with a huff, mooning the rest of the store (again) with his tighty-whities.