This holiday season is kicking my Baby Bunching butt! Can't you tell by the lack of posts. I'm not quite sure why this year seems to be more complicated than last, but it has. So now that our Christmas party is over, school is out (canceled because of all the snow) and gifts are bought, I'm moving on to my last minute errands. I was certain I wouldn't have this issue, but since Christmas dinner is at my house with four relatives staying here...that means I have exactly two days to get my ass in high gear and get moving!
Today is the dreaded last-minute errand day of food shopping, a few last minute gifts and whatever else crops up along the way. All this with one child who has a nasty cold. What I really need is the gym, but I dare not set him loose in child care with his nasty runny nose. I told everyone it was errand day and they were to have a smile on their face, a spring in their step and a song in their heart.
So today I'm following my own advice from last yearand setting off this morning by 9 a.m. to get last minute things done with both kids in tow. (I hope I can find a Chick Fil A today.)
Here are the ingredients to surviving holiday errands WITH kids, the day before a major national holiday:
--Starbucks Peppermint Mocha Latte. I don't care how expensive it is, it will immediately, without fail ,change your mood and make you smile.
--Christmas music in the car. It will lift your spirits and help you sing through Target to amuse your kids. People will think you're crazy for busting out into song, but look at you.....people already think you're nuts for having kids so close in age.
--Strollers and/or carts. Don't go in without one. If nothing else it will hold the kids' coats and give you an option to strap someone in.
--Chick Fil A. We never ever eat here, but I treated mine to chicken nuggets and the play room and we were good. (Note: if your youngest (or oldest) is between the ages of 12-24 months, do not attempt this without a second pair of hands. Kids stuck up in the playscape can be tricky to get down.)
--Snacks and bribes. Ok, so the whole morning was about food, but at least kids are quieter with food in their mouths.
Really, if you can. Do your errands minus one kid or all the kids. I think even doing them at 8 p.m would have been better than our chaos this morning. Happy Holidays!
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