City Trippin'

Yesterday I took A. for our trip to see Santa at Union Square. Last year we drove, this year we took BART (kind of like a cross between Amtrack and a subway for those not familiar with it.)

Of course A. had a grand time on the train for the first time. She was a little bored because I neglected to bring anything for her to do, but she talked to the other passengers and looked out of the window trying to sound out all the station identification signs. At one point, A. started pointing out that almost all of the passengers were by themselves. "They aren't married, because they are alone," she announced. So we talked about how maybe people were married but their spouse wasn't with them. "You aren't married," She said and I agreed, but told her I had been married to her daddy. "I wish my daddy could see me when I am a big kid" and I agreed that I wish that too. We had a little moment of sadness and a hug before she moved on to killing my camera battery by taking a bunch of pictures of my shoes and the floor.

We got to the City at about 11 so we decided to walk up to Union Square and have lunch right away. On the way I needed to pick up batteries so we stopped at Walgreens where A. found a stuffed animal that she "HAD" to have. I told her that I wasn't going to lug anything right now, and maybe we could stop on the way back. (Of course, not really meaning it. Because she already has an army of stuffed animals and has procured 2 more already this week.)

We had a grand time having lunch at the Cheesecake Factory overlooking the square. A. was impressed by the really large tree and one of the buildings has a huge rotating star on top that was "amazing". She was suspicious about why I was letting her eat "All. This. SUGAR!?!?" But that didn't stop her from digging in. (She miraculously managed to eat without getting it all over her white shirt.) After lunch we went to have pictures with Santa and pick out her annual Christmas tree ornament. (Hi I am Alicia and I have an ornament buying problem. I have no doubt purchased 5-8 ornaments this year already.) Then she led me on a galloping tour of the Squares open spaces.

I laughed so hard it I had tears when she showed her true colors as her mother's daughter. She was galloping along the square when suddenly she stopped in the middle of the block and announced that we REALLY had to cross the street. I didn't really see anything that would attract a 4 year old on the other side, but I was feeling indulgent. I have found trips like this are much less stressful if I just follow her lead (except when it is critical or safety related). So I took her to the crosswalk, and we crossed. She made her way back down the block to where we had been opposite, and marched right into a store. The Nine West store. Where she promptly marched up to a display, plunked a shimmery gold platform heel off of the display. (It was quite a beautiful shoe.) Then she announced that we needed to buy it. I explained that it wasn't for little kids and she gave me a look that said clearly I was a dolt as she explained, "It isn't for ME, it's for YOU." Trying to explain to a four year old that my life doesn't have much in it that requires high heels while the sales person looked on was kind of annoying and funny all at once. I finally told her that she could look at all the shoes I have in the closet that I don't wear and pick something for me to wear out of there.

After the shoe store, A. announced she was tired and ready to go home. We swung by the Disney store where she begged for a Cinderella Doll and I bought her princess pens instead. She was happy to draw pictures on the ride back. But when we got off the train she was indignant. Why were we going home when she was having SUCH a good time on the train? Then she settled down and ran off to play with the neighbor as soon as we got home.

Of course, as soon as she lied down for bed last night, she popped back up and demanded to know WHY we didn't go back and get that puppy from Walgreens. She cried and railed against me for a bit about how "wrong" I was and insisted that I go get it "tomorrow morning, first thing" which was met with a denial. When I pointed out that she already got 2 new stuffed animals this week, new princess pens and an ornament, and that perhaps she should better use her energy feeling grateful for what she does have because there are many kids who don't have a lot of things that she does, she sobbed "But I LOVED it" one last time and quieted down for bed. After a few minutes she said "Thank you for the pens and a lot of fun." So maybe I am not raising a total brat after all, in spite of the rather blatant spoiling that occurs some times.