We can budget an extra $4.13 right?

I was that woman today. You know the one...a baby strapped to her in a wrap carrying a sideways screaming toddler. The one who's toddler has one shoe off and half a jacket on. I was that woman. The one with a diaper bag and hat in one hand and a flailing toddler in the other, storming to her car from the mall. Oh yes, I was that woman today.

It all started innocently enough. We met friends at the mall so the kids could blow off some steam. Aedan wanted water from the play place, which I gave him. He wanted more water, which I gave him. As it was time to leave, he wanted more water, which I gave him. He said "all done", so I threw the cup away. Mistake number 1! As soon as we headed for the door, he proclaims "more water". I was not going to get him more water, since I figured this was an obvious stall tactic. "You can have more water when we get home, let's go put your shoes on and say good bye to your friends", I said calmly.

As we approached the door I could tell he was not going for it at all. Two minutes later he said "I am not all done" and he threw himself on the floor. Well, now I had to stick with it, mistake number 2. Seriously, pick your battles Melissa, does it matter if he has another Dixie cup of water? Too late...he was on the floor at this point, so there was no turning back. For the next 20 minutes I reason with him, try to rationalize with him, even bribe him with stickers, to no avail. He was still screaming "I am not ALL DONE!" Nice. Boogers running out of his nose, stomping, throwing his coat, the whole nine yards. Finally I realized that this was not going to end peacefully, and at this point I had set him up for another break down when he realized we weren't getting stickers.

I finally gave up. I threw my hands in the air, looked at the smiling baby (soo innocent now huh? Let's see you in 2 years), and said, "Here we go, I am so ready to be that mom". I then picked him up and escorted him to the car. Where this conversation took place:
Me: Aedan get into the car please, climb in on Corbin's side

Aedan: I waa aaantt annt to get in on my-yyyyy side! (Think toddler cry.)

M: Ok, you can get in over there, let me get Corbin in his seat.

A: Oka-ay.

M: Okay, let's go to your side so you can get in!

A: I want to get in on Cor or bin's si-ide!

M: No Aedan, you picked this side, now please get in your seat.

A: NOOOOOOOOO!

M: I am going to let you work this out. (shuts door)

Now I can't get him into his car seat because he is throwing a tantrum in the car. There I stood outside my locked car listening to my child throw himself on the ground of the car. After three minutes, he decided to get into his car seat and I buckled him in.

It was at that moment I decided I deserved a $4.13 cup of coffee. no, in fact I earned it. Budget smudget, I don't care, I needed that cup of coffee. Off we drove, toddler screaming in the back seat to the drive through and luckily through Aedan's tears they heard "grande white chocolate mocha please", and I did not feel guilty for spending $4.13 on myself for once. That is what it costs to be that woman.