It is all relative.

I felt better yesterday.  Wanna know why?  It is because I cheated just a little bit and had 1/2 a cup of coffee.  Yeah, it did the trick and I did not at any time want to jump into a dark whole and die.  Yeah, a bit mellow dramatic, I know.

Anyway, the kids had been locked up in the house due to my "condition".  I feel if I had attempted to brave a child-friendly place that I may have gone postal.  So, feeling as though I could safely face the world, I decided to hit the mall (the pool was out of the question, stupid rain).  The mall was a good place for me too, as I wanted to take advantage of a coupon for a clothing store Noelle has wanted to purchase from for ages.  The plan was: Noelle's clothes then Lego Land.  No prob. 

Well, we get to the clothing store and Noelle likes just about every outfit there.  I tell her to pick out two to try on and we'll go from there.  She picked her two and hopped into a changing room.  I waited just outside with Nikolai and Noelle's cousin.  As thrilling as girl's clothing is to an 11 year old boy and an 11 month old baby, they both became quickly bored.  Noelle's Cousin started ranting something about needing to leave because of a Justin Beiber CD and Nikolai started to whine and squirm in the stroller. 

Hurry up, Noelle. 

"Noelle, are you okay in there?" 

"Yep, I'm okay."

Hurry up, Noelle.

Noelle stepped out in the first outfit - a graphic tee and a leopard print skirt.  I nearly died when I saw her and promptly told her 8 year old (looking like a 16 year old) butt to take it off.  Immediately. 

Quickly trying to erase the too quickly passing years from my head, I turned my attention to Nikolai, who was DONE with the stroller.  I took him out only to realize he wanted to get down and run around.  Not good at the mall.  So he proceeded to squirm in my arms and push against my face in an attempt to get free from my grasp. 

Hurry up, Noelle. 

She came out in the second outfit.  It was a win so I told her to quickly put everything back on the hanger and get to the checkout counter. 

This took a long time.  Long enough for me and an 11 year old to pass back and forth Nikolai to save some sanity. 

Then I took Squirmy Mr. Man up to the counter to pay and Noelle and her cousin were off playing with this and that.  Running all around.  ::sigh:: I though.  And probably actually did.  Why did I think I could handle these rambunctious kids when I am not in tip top shape? 

Well, keeping my word we were off to lego land to check out the toys.  All the way there I just prayed that the kids would behave.  We got into the store and Noelle and her cousin quietly played with some lego figures in the middle of the store and Nikolai contently looked at all the large lego figurines.  I breathed a sigh of relief and took a moment to look around. 

There were kids running EVERYWHERE.  Out of control, parents yelling for them, kids yelling back, kids crying, tantrums being thrown, legos being thrown, parents looking distraught and - well - just general chaos. 

I sort of smiled to myself and thought "how lucky am I to be here with my family."  I may think they are rambunctious, but no, they are not at all.  Now these kids, they are rambunctious, lol!  So next time I get frustrated with squirmy kids running to check out some toys... I will remember that even though I think they are being disorderly -- they are not half as bad as the kids at lego land!  You see, it is all relative, my dear ;)