Please Place the Item in the Bag

or Why I Hate Self Checkouts

It started out like any other day.  I was out and about running errands with the kids in tow.  We had already done the grocery shopping, but I remembered that I needed to make a sugar free dessert for a family gathering.   I needed one box of lemon flavored sugar-free Jello. 

I stop at the next grocery store.  It's not my usual grocery store, but I only need one thing.  "It's going to be a quick trip," I tell the children. We only need one box of sugar-free lemon Jello.  We go in.  We find the Jello.  We go to the checkout.  We're making record time. There is one lane open.  There are several very full carts waiting in that one line.  My spirits fall, but then I see it.  It's the self checkout.  It lures me with its promise of a quick purchase.  Alas, it had done me wrong before.  I recalled the trying to weigh the bananas incident of months past.  But this time would be different.  This time I only have one item. 

We approach the machine.  It greats me and asks for my customer loyalty card.  I scan the card and am rewarded with a pleasant beep.   Next it asks me to scan my item.  I scan.  It beeps.  It asks me to please place the item in the bag.  I place the item in the bag.  It asks me to please place the item in the bag.  Um, it's already in the bag.  I try to ignore it and push finish.  It says PLEASE PLACE THE ITEM IN THE BAG!  At least I thought it was getting louder.  I push finish again.  It says PLEASE STEP AWAY FROM THE CHECKOUT.  Here comes the cashier looking at me like I've done something wrong.  She tells me I have to put the item in the bag.  I show her my little box of Jello in the bag.  Apparently it was too light to register on the scale under the bag.  Meanwhile Princess Pink and Wild Thing are entertaining themselves by chasing each other in circles.

The cashier clears out the machine and rings my little 50 cent purchase at the front.  I am then reprimanded for attempting to use the self checkout on a light item or anything that doesn't need a bag.  I hang my head in shame and walk my family out of the grocery store.  As we exit, I notice that the once full line for the regular checkout is much shorter.  If only...

Wordless Wednesday

Dog Tired

Christmas Program

Our church had its Christmas program the week before Christmas.  It was held 5 days after the great haircut fiasco.  Princess Pink was supposed to be an angel, but she switched to a cow because of her very short hair.  Wild Thing gave an award winning performance of Joseph.  He had to sit still for 20 minutes.  That was real acting on his part.  I don't know how he survived.  He never wants to be Joseph again.  The Crafter was the angel who spoke to the shepherds.  She quoted her entire verse even though it was shortened for the presentation. 

Princess Pink as Cow


Wild Thing as Joseph

 
The Crafter as Angel

A Case of Mistaken Lyrics

Princess Pink is my most musical child.  I often hear her singing.  It makes me smile.  After lunch I heard her singing "The B-I-B-L-E".  She did very well up until the last line where she sang "I stand outside with the worms and God, the B-I-B-L-E!" 

Happy Birthday Wild Thing

He's six years old!

Wild Thing dressed as Santa for Halloween

Beware Wild Thing Bearing Scissors

Things have been crazy around here lately.  I'm in the middle of exams, and have very little spare time.  The Crafter wanted to try out a snowflake craft we found on-line.  I told her we would make them after Wild Thing and Princess Pink were in bed. 

So the Crafter and I were happily cutting and taping, when we heard Princess Pink in the bathroom.  I asked the Crafter to make sure she was OK.  Then she called, "Mama, you have to see Princess Pink."

This is what I saw.

 

Apparently, Princess Pink asked Wild Thing to make her have cute little hair.  Now she has no bangs and  bald spots, and  what's left is choppy.  I'm going to carry her to see if there's a miracle working hair stylist who can make this not look so horrible.  We have to do something before the Christmas play and the arrival of grandma.

Abraham's Picnic

Yesterday our sermon was about the ancestry of Jesus.  The pastor started with Abraham and quoted Genesis 22:17.  I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. 

Actually the pastor added a couple of words.  He said "the sand which is on the seashore."  Wild Thing pipes up "Sandwiches?  Was God having a picnic with Abraham?"

O Christmas Tree

 
Assembly

 
The Crafter

 
Wild Thing

 
Princess Pink
(OK, I know she's wearing red.  It's only because they are Christmas puppies)

 
The Finished Product

Science Planning

We have finally (almost) finished Exploring Creation with Botany from Apologia.  We did not enjoy it as much as Exploring Creation with Astronomy.   It started off strong, but all of us fizzled out with it.  It's time for something new, so we are getting ready to start a study of the human body.  This is the first subject that I intend to do with all three children at the same time.  I am blending three different programs in hopes to appeal to the strengths of each child. 

Lyrical Life Science combines information with music.   Princess Pink is very musical.  I hope she enjoys the songs.  This book also contains the most in depth information, so it will form our spine.  The Crafter is the only one who will read the text.  We will all try to learn the songs.  This program came highly recommended from friend who has graduated two of her children.  Her oldest daughter said that she used the songs to help her with her college biology class.

The Body Book has plans on how to make a model of the entire body.  I think the Crafter will enjoy this one.

Blood and Guts has lots of experiments and hand-on activities.  This should appeal to Wild Thing. 

Wish us luck.

Happy Birthday Princess Pink

She's four years old today!