Next Time I'll Just Get a Pizza

I got a ton of errands done yesterday. Drezden's DSi is in for repairs finally, the groceries are shopped, Aiden's supplies for camp are all organized and purchased, and the constant army of itty bitty ants in my kitchen by the window are all but eradicated.  These are all wonderful things, but they come at a cost. Time.  By the time I was done with it all, it was nearly 8:00 and I still hadn't gotten dinner started...or thought of for that matter.

I was still at the dreaded Wal-Mart, so I called Byron and told him I'd just get something there to bring home. We decided to settle on the dried up pieces of bony cardboard that WalMart likes to refer to as fried chicken.  I could also get some popcorn chicken there, which the kids love.

As I approached the deli area, the lady came out and I let her know I wanted fried chicken. I wanted two orders of 8 pieces. Those are $6.88 a piece.  She pointed to her deli case and said she was almost out, but I could go look on the warming rack by the registers.  I went to the warming rack and it was totally empty so I returned to the counter resigned to the idea that I'd just take what she had left.  I waited. And waited. And waited.  I tried getting her attention, but those little plastic hats they make them wear must have been blocking her hearing or something.  Finally, she spotted me doing virtual jumping jacks and flailing my arms around like crazy and came over to assist me.

I told her I'd just take what was left of her chicken. I knew Mindy was hungry and waiting for me at home and Liam, who was with me, was exhausted and starting to melt into a puddle of whine and tears.  Really, I just wanted to get what I needed and get out of there.

At a snail's pace, she made the first package of 8 pieces.  Then, she put the left over pieces into the next box and walked over to the little machine that makes price tags before handing me both boxes and starting on my order of popcorn chicken.  I looked at the tags and was a bit...surprised?  The first box said $6.88 for 8 pieces. That was correct.  On the second box, she charged me $3 for 3 drumsticks and $4 for 4 of whatever the last few pieces were. They were broken and not really identifiable.  I got her attention and asked, "Did you just charge me $7 for 7 pieces when I could get 8 for $6.88?"
"Yes".
"Ummm...why?".
 "Well, I had to count each piece and you don't have enough in that box to get 8 pieces. You only have 7."
"Okay, but it's only $6.88 for 8 pieces and you just charged me more to buy only 7.  Can't you just charge me for 8 pieces and make it cheaper?".
 "No, ma'am."
 "Why?"
"Because you don't have 8 pieces. You have 7."
"Yes, I know that, but I did order 8. YOU just didn't have it."
Shrugs.
"Okay, I'll just take this package that has 8 pieces and not the one that has 7".
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm very sure."

I'm glad I got the popcorn chicken.  No one would even eat the fried chicken. It was paper dry on the inside and horribly greasy on the outside.  Next time I'll just pick up a Little Caesar's pizza. They always have all 8 pieces in their pies and they're just five bucks.

A Special Visit From Texas

This past weekend, we got a special treat that was a big surprise for the kids. Jim and Linda came from TX to spend a whirlwind weekend with our six little monkeys.  It was a much needed visit, especially or CJ who has a special little bond with Jim.  (They tell fart jokes, pick their noses, wear motorcycle shirts, and eat magic shell ice cream together any chance they get.)  We only get to see them once or twice a year, so I made sure I took all the pictures I could because the kids LOVE to look at them over and over and remember the fun they have with Jim and Linda.  

On the first night, the kids got to stay up late and swim at the pool almost until closing AND eat pizza there AND splash Jim.  As you can see from the pictures below, Jim didn't seem to mind much.  

The following day, we took the kids to the science museum where they attempted to pick Abe Lincoln's nose (leave it to Aiden), magnify the inside of their nasal cavities (yes, that's Aiden again), and desperately wanted to see a show at the "climax theater" as CJ calls it. (It's really the IMAX, though.)  We got a really good laugh at that last part because he described the climax theater by telling us it's got a really huge screen and it's all around you and it feels like you're right there.  I do love having a Deaf kiddo because of all the cute stuff he mishears now and then.  He keeps us laughing all the time.

After the museum, we went to Dollar Tree where Jim told each kid they could choose ONE thing from the store. I think he did that for his own pleasure and entertainment. Watching five kids try and choose one thing out of a huge store is like setting them free in the North Pole and telling them they're on the naughty list, but they can still choose any one stocking stuffer they want. They took forever and each found about ten things they just had to have before settling on their final purchases.  And, of course, after Dollar Tree we went to Dairy Queen for a less than nutritious, but completely delicious dinner.

Sunday morning, Jim and Linda had to leave. Mindy was being blessed that afternoon (pictures to come), but they needed to get on the road so they could be home before dark.  The kids always hate the part where Jim and Linda have to say goodbye. I hate that part, too.  Hopefully it wasn't so much of a goodbye as it was a "see you soon". 

A little quality time in the local swimming hole.

CJ built a molecule at the science museum

Aiden climbed into the blood drop and went hunting for the one white blood cell

Jim made Aiden's dreams come true by buying him a ride on the Segway.  The kid is STILL talking about it.

Pictures Sunday morning. Gosh, those kids love Jim and Linda. 

Best friends.

CJ fighting back tears saying goodbye.

CJ hamming it up for the camera

Drezden will love it when I show this picture to his future dates.

Even Mindy was sad to see them go.

This is Drezden's bike helmet. He was sure it was just Jim's size.

Nice tired kids at the end of a day at the science center...not tired enough, though

Liam was totally awe struck by the dinosaurs

Mindy got to spend most of the weekend in Linda's arms. They both liked that.

This giant penny greeted us at the museum. My kids had to immediately pick Abe's nose.

Another lovely photo for future girlfriends to enjoy