Target ICEE saves the day

Yesterday epitomized “terrible twos” at our house. I was home with Meredith and I don’t know what was going on but it was one temper tantrum after another. Half the time I couldn’t even figure out what was going on. I seriously think that she was getting mad at her baby dolls. After a morning of fits and having to skip story time and lunch at McDonalds, which I had so nicely planned for us, I decided to try and venture to Target after her nap. It was bold of me, I know. I was fully prepared to turn the car or shopping cart around and head back home if need be.

Starting about 6 months ago shopping with Meredith has been a challenge. She does not want to sit in the cart, but likes to roam around the store. I am sure it is great fun for her, but makes getting the actual errand done close to impossible.

Yesterday, in a stroke of either sheer mom genius, or out of sheer frustration and a need for Mommy to get out of the house and go to Target, I thought of it. The ICEE. Surely the ICEE would solve our problems.

When I was pregnant with Meredith they had just built the Target about 2 minutes away from our house. Pretty much every day for the rest of the pregnancy either Frank or I stopped there to get me an ICEE. Luckily the Target was built in October and I had Meredith in November, or I may not have passed that gestational diabetes test. Surely all of these ICEEs consumed by Meredith in utero would help?

I outlined the rules carefully to Meredith. First, we take care of our return. Then, we get an ICEE. You must sit in the cart the entire time or the ICEE goes bye, bye? Sound like a plan? Meredith got it. She actually said “Deal.”

Thank you, Target ICEE. You captivated my daughter, in the cart, for a full trip to Target and saved my sanity yesterday. The best part is she probably only consumed 1/3 of the actual ICEE because it is difficult to get up through the straw. Bonus- less sugar consumed by already cranky toddler.