Candy Prayers

Yesterday we were out running errands and decided to stop by Five Guys for dinner. I have put a ban on eating out as our biggest new year's resolution and this is only the second time we've eaten out this year (the first time we were out of town and visiting the National Aquarium- so extinuating circumstances). Anyone who really knows us knows that is, in itself is a MIRACLE! James and I have always been bad about eating out, but our children's manners in public have been attrocious, down right embarrassing, and it was important to us to get back to the basics, eat at home, at the dinner table, in hopes of repairing some of the antics they were becoming much too accustomed too. Much to our shock it appears to be working!!! My kids were the best, most polite, fabulous, little ones in the whole place. There were 2 other families with toddler/preschoolers and they were all running about, out of control acting like complete monsters, while my precious little angels sat at the table, colored quietly while waiting for dinner, even sharing the crayons amicably amongst themselves, and then actually ate their meals while we enjoyed some pleasant conversations about how they spent their day. It was by far the most enjoyable meal we've had out in probably the last 6 years - since before Roman was born! James and I couldn't have been happier or prouder of our fabulous little munchkins!

As a show of our appreciation, instead of the planned last stop where I jump out, run into Kmart to pick up what I need while James waits in the car with the kids, we instead let them come in for a nice little stroll around the store, and as they were still being so well behaved (I know, you're all waiting for me to say we weren't out with Roman, Hope, and Bethany, but 3 total strangers we picked up off the side of the road!) we let them pick out a small toy each. Roman got a new game piece to a Star Wars game he trying to get in to. Hope discovered the hool-a-hoop, while Bethany picked out a giant pink ball. As we were heading to the check out counter, we past right by the candy isle and Bethany quickly dropped the ball and began grabbing as many bags as her little 2 year old arms could hold trying to shove them into the cart "without anyone noticing". James busted her and firmly told her "No candy" and put them back on the shelf. She tried once more and he shook his head saying, "No". Holding breaths, waiting, bracing for the impact of this one little word.... this is where our typical temper tantrum two year old would begin with the one big sob, followed by the ear piercing scream as her little body is glued to the floor with arms and legs flying in every direction and the screaming and tears enough to embarrass even the unrelated stock boy 2 isles over.... but not this time! Nope, instead Bethany solemnly retrieved her ball, kneeled before it facing the candy shelves, laid her elbows on top of the ball, folded her hands together, closed her eyes, bowed her head, and began to pray for candy, right there in the middle of the isle at Kmart.

Yes, she got to pick out one bag of candy after James composed himself trying desperately to hold back the hysterics. They were all told they had to wait until tomorrow (which is today), but once we got home and got the kids to bed, our normal little retched monsters resurfaced as the girls fought us for 2 1/2 hours, losing their candy rights for today in the process, before finally going to sleep within seconds of losing TV priviledges too, so, barring no further instances today, Bethany will have to wait until tomorrow to have her "candy prayers" answered.