Family

Yesterday I went on a date with my girl and had a blast. First we went to Long John Silvers for some good food. She chose the table. It was one of the booths in the side room, and she seemed pleased that after we’d been there a few moments the only other people in the room left, leaving us with the entire room to ourselves.

Our next stop was Wal-Mart. As we passed through the automatic entrance doors, she rushed toward one of those shopping carts that has two seats at the back for toddlers. “I get to choose the cart,” she grinned. My heart sank, but of course I acted like that was perfectly OK and off we went. “I want the candy aisle first,” she informed me. When we arrived at aisle 6, I recommended she get out of the cart and actually walk the aisle so she could see the dainties close up. Without too much hesitation she picked up a container of “Gourmet Fruit Slices.” The price? $4.00. I tried to convince her that this was by no means the best bang for her buck, but she insisted. I told her it was OK as long as she realized it would come out of her Christmas money from some friends. She didn’t care where the money came from.

Next stop was the toy department. “We need the boys’ aisle,” she remarked. Our mission was to buy something to replace the remote control four-wheeler she got for Christmas but had to be returned because it didn’t work. She picked up a small remote control car and said that was what she wanted. It was OK with me because it was on a half price sale. But as we inched along the aisle, other things began to engage her attention until she came to a much larger blue remote control car which she decided was much better than the one she had in her hand. And even though it was more expensive than the first one, I didn’t really worry too much because it, too, was on a half price sale.

After making a couple of small purchases in the electronics department and picking up a bag of clementines, we were ready to check out and be on our way. I asked her where she wanted to go next, and she said, “To that place where you can sit on the riding lawn mowers.” Ah yes, Lowes. I’m glad you thought of that.

Of course, when we got to Lowes there were no riding mowers out front (thankfully!), so our search would have to be continued inside. It was while we were half way between our van and Lowes entrance that she made one of those random statements that makes me wonder where in the world that came from. “I once saw a man with no feet,” she said matter-of-factly. “I wonder how that happened.” I was wondering what made her think of it at this moment.

The only riding mowers we could find were in the landscaping section which might as well have been outside for how cold it was. So there I stood, trying to keep warm while my four year old rode to her heart’s content on the four or five different models available. One had a rocking seat, which she found particularly enjoyable. We were the only ones in this particular section. Go figure!

After some cajoling from me, she was finally ready to leave. I was freezing. “Where now, home?” I questioned, hopefully. Home was the farthest thing from her mind. I had been trying to talk her into an ice cream at McDonalds. “Let’s go to Wendy’s. I’ll have a double sandwich.”

“A double sandwich? We just ate a huge meal at Long John Silvers not an hour and a half ago!” No matter. She wanted a double sandwich “for supper” and there was no changing her mind. So off we went to Wendy’s. She had her plain double sandwich and I had a wild berry frosty. She chose the seat again, this time by the window. It took a while, but much to my surprise she ploughed through the whole sandwich, leaving only about two of her small bites–which she didn’t want because the top bread had come off. Most of the time she sat silently looking through the window, watching the world as it passed. “I just saw a woman smoking in a car,” she said at one point. “She had a smoker in her mouth. Next after that she’ll die.” Yep. Probably tomorrow.

“Where next? Home?” Haha. I should be so lucky.

“Let’s go back to Lowe’s and ride lawn mowers some more!” Sure, I’m just dying to do that. I had so much fun the last time we were there.

Fortunately, the novelty wore off a bit quicker this time. Also, I finally convinced her that we ought to be heading home. Having had “supper” earlier helped create the illusion that we were running out of time. “I wonder if Alan and Lydia will be in bed when we get home.” What a triumph that would have been for her! But at 3:00, I don’t think so.

Pulling out of Lowes I remembered one important item I had forgotten to get a Wal-Mart, so back there we went.

It was a fun time. Kids love it when you dedicate your time just to them….give them your undivided attention….allow them to have the steering wheel and the driving seat for a few small moments. It’s the stuff of memories that will last a long time.