The big softy

As you know, Amelia really likes balloons. She played with the Trader Joe's balloon we got her at the market until it shrunk down to nothing. Then, a couple of nights after Mike had quietly disposed of the balloon, Amelia saw a picture of balloons in one of her books and began asking, "Where balloon?" I told her, "I don't know, I think the balloon is gone," and this made her really sad. She started crying because she missed her balloon, so I made up my mind to buy her a new one the following day.

When Michael saw that I had bought her a new balloon he accused me of being a big softy; but Amelia loves her new balloon. My only concern in buying it was that, since I bought the balloon at the grocery store, she might want a balloon every time we went to market together. But a balloon is only a dollar and comparing that to my typical cappucchino/tea habit (dependent on the weather and my mood) it seems an inexpensive treat.

Yesterday, the weather was warmer than it had been. Amelia wanted to go outside and play so I got her dressed and we stepped outside at 11:30. I had forgotten to wear a watch, but I was hoping to eat lunch, put on make-up and make an appointment on campus at one. I guess I wasn't counting on Amelia's desire to go "walking." We went all over and around the farthest reaches of our apartment complex. At some point I actually started to hear my belly growl, so I knew it was time for lunch. I told Amelia, "Mommy's hungry, let's go inside." She'd start heading toward home saying, "Hungry, hungry" but then quickly get side tracked by a stick or pile of rocks and have to be re-reminded that we were headed home. When we finally entered our apartment it was 12:50. So much for my appointment! Still, I'm glad Amelia likes playing outdoors and since the cold weather is returning to Indiana this weekend, we have to get out now while we can.

Lisa