weekend by numbers

8.... days until school starts. Which meant that this weekend, it was time for our annual date with accompanied school shopping. This is where Hailey dies and goes to clothing heaven, where everything is pink and sparkles and the angelic choir sings High School Musical songs. This is where Jonas dies and goes to spirit prison where we drag him around torturing him with the idea of shirts with collars. And we say the word UNDERWEAR out loud. In regards to him. Then he doesn't talk to us for an hour. And he doesn't perk up until he hears the word lunch.... actually the word soda.
7 .... hundred number of times Hailey gasped with delight and twirled and raised her voice to a higher pitch than I had ever known existed, exclaiming that THIS WAS THE CUTEST THING EVVVVEERRRRRR!
6..... pairs of jeans purchased in boot cut, carpenter, straight leg, slim fit, classic fit, and sickeningly sparkly. All with adjustable waist pulled to the max because apparently my kids have the waists of starving children.
5...... rather large and loud tantrums thrown by Caleb. Despite my being prepared with suckers and chocolate milk and his blankey and his mute button (pacifier), and a buzz lightyear. Lovingly, he gave us at least one tantrum in every store just to provide us with a reminder that 2 year olds can just make life a lot more interesting. And loud. It can also provide you with the opportunity to receive ugly stares from people whose children obviously NEVER behave that way.
4...... stores visited. Each one was spent reminding Hailey she didn't need everything in the store and that there are more colors than pink and brown. and that glitter and jewels can in fact be used in excess. On the other hand we spent the time in each store, begging and pleading Jonas to choose something to wear. Anything. Anything other than boxers and a old t-shirt... please. I would have even let him buy a Spongebob shirt. I was desperate.
3...... hundred dollars we started the day with. we ended with a LOT less.
2...... number of parents who felt that they had been beaten with a blunt object due to the cost, the stress, and the noise level of the entire day.
1..... backpack purchased. This is the first year we have no character back packs! It was a very close call with a Camp Rock back pack but thankfully, the pink camouflage won Hailey over in the end.

And the day ended with a rather impressive fashion show, which was interrupted briefly by a naked 2 year old streaker. I think it was politically motivated.