minions & me

after tucking the kids into their respective beds and smooching my husband on his forehead, i found myself in the middle of target at nearly 9 o'clock at night, pushing an empty stroller.  i think i had a perma-grin, too.  we all say it, but i'm not afraid to say it again:  it's the little things.  (and sometimes it's the little beings.)  i've been in a routine for so long, where i do all my shopping and errands with my children in tow.  it's usually a task, rather un-fun, and i end up leaving feeling like my hair's on fire.  but.  i just do it.

when i was ill a few weeks back, it happened so soon after returning from hawai'i that i hadn't made it to the grocer just yet.  so that left #1 in command to take to the shopping cart with two kids.  i shoved him out the door bearing the-most-specific-as-could-be shopping list.  we spoke on the phone 3 times, but when ending our conversation, he would hang up before i could say good-bye...  when he arrived back home, with much seriousness, he stated:

that was the worst thing i've ever done in my life.  jack knocked over a display of sauce packets.  dylan was trying to stand up the whole time.  i'm never doing that again.

of course, desperately trying to conceal my smirk (and giggles), i had to ask how jb knocked over the display.

well, he was steering the cart.

i really didn't need to hear anymore.  the best part of it all was hearing him say that taking two under five to the grocery store was the worst thing he's ever done in his life.  i tossed up my hands as if to say SEE?! but he gave me some credit before i could open my mouth.  he even threw in this gem when i told him that sometimes i have to go to the store numerous times in a week:

i don't know why you would ever want to do that.  

it really makes me smile to think that i'm doing what i'm supposed to do in our relationship, where he's doing exactly what he needs to do.  i like routines, organization, being at home, quiet time and raising our minions children.  he likes to be on the go, working with his hands and his mind; he enjoys a little chaos and spontaneity.  yin to the yang.    

so, after spending an undisclosed amount of time and debit funds, i walked out of there with some {non}essentials including a blinding-yellow tee with the face of a minion (see: despicable me).  i also found an adorable newsboy-style cap that i knew dylan would fumble with atop her messy locks.  she loves wearing hats these days.  what i didn't take into account was that she's a ridiculous copycat these days, as well.  so less than 12 hours later, both kids are clad in minion attire, and i'm $2.75 richer with an exchange of a hat.

shopping alone?  these days, there are few things greater.

we found ourselves at the zoo on a gorgeous spring day.  the bears have been out for about a month, their hides all thick and fluffy with perfectly long claws.  the baby musk ox is so adorable, and he couldn't have been closer - well, no, he wasn't in our laps, but the kids probably could have flicked his nose if they tried.

all on her own.  

first, she had to peek at the swans & the ducks.  then, it was pooh's turn. 

with all the snow melting, we were able to swing into the cemetery and visit the loved ones.  it's so beautiful there - mountains in the distance, always a plane or three flying over head.  we even found the remnants of our sunflowers from the fall, practically preserved in the snow.  and like everywhere else we've been walking - trails, bike paths, mountainsides, even our yard... moose poop.  it's dylan's new favorite word, too.