Tuesday, April 2, 2013

SOLS: Frozen yogurt break?

With a tired baby ahead of us in the stroller and a promise tethered behind us, we hobbled into Orange Leaf this afternoon for frozen yogurt.  The idea was thrown out like the first pitch of a baseball game -- the rest of the outing hung on its fruition. We'd been to Carter's, and Nordstrom Rack, and now this, our final stop.  The treat would be a soothing salve...

Except, Grant voiced atypical objection as we entered the cheery storefront.  I thought he was just hot in his fleece-lined pumpkin seat.  I can fix that once we sit down...

And, Reid demanded full attention; the kind he was used to getting just a few short months ago.  The promise of a peaceful frozen yogurt stop slowly melted.  Is this REALLY how it's going to go down?

Selections were made carefully at the pay-by-the-ounce yogurt dispensers.  Wedding Cake for Reid and Oreo for me.  I really can't wait to sit down and enjoy this....yummmmmmm.

But, once we made it to the toppings smorgasboard, little cries became wails, and a toddler became a self-sufficient little boy who helped himself to the pinnacle of add-ons: chocolate sprinkles, which incidentally stood tall in an obnoxiously large container next to the crushed waffle cones.  I unhooked the straps of Grant's seat, rescuing him from its humid confines...all while Reid 'helped himself.'

In slow motion, the sprinkles rained down on the orange bowl...puddling his meager medallion of frozen yogurt.  I watched, helpless, and handless.  Oh my goodness, he's using the whole container.  I can't put Grant down fast enough to stop this mess!!! The slow motion became fast-forward.

I'm surprised I didn't yell, because I really wanted to; inside, my words were like the soundtrack to a train wreck.  Finagling Grant in an unnatural position, I wrangled the sprinkle container from where it rested inside Reid's bowl and let it tumble sideways onto the sparkling countertop.

This bowl.  THIS BOWL.  I stared at its contents in disbelief.  There is NO way Reid will eat all this -- even if he could, I wouldn't let him.  Really?  Really.

AND IT'S PAY BY THE OUNCE!!!  Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.  

 In the periphery sat a welcoming trash can.  Would anybody notice if I dumped the excess sprinkles in there?  Then, Reid wouldn't even get the chance to eat them all...and there would be no forthcoming fit when I have to take them away unfinished.

BUT IT IS PAY BY THE OUNCE, AND REID TOOK ALL THESE.  SO, THE RIGHT THING TO DO IS PAY FOR THEM.  Even though I really, really don't want to...

The cries ensued, despite my rhythmic bounces, and a dancing toddler encircled me as the two bowls were placed onto the scale for tallying.  "$4.73, please."  Grudgingly, I handed over my credit card and smiled politely at the close of the transaction.  My eyes still focused on his ostentatious topping display.

With no delay, Reid's inverted bowl hung high above the trashcan...sprinkles falling like a spring shower.  A nice coating remained for his enjoyment.

Big, stubborn eyes witnessed my discontent.  "I don't want it now, Mommy."  I'm sure you don't; this is how our whole day has gone.  

"OK, I'll throw it away then."  He will not take me up on this.  3, 2, 1...

"Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.  I'll eat it."

And eat it he did.  Right down to the very last sprinkle swimming in the melted yogurt, right beside his tired mom, who, despite rocking and cooing one little guy, figured out a way to consume her frozen treat with warp speed.

Jackets on and pumpkin seat occupied, we hobbled back out toward the car.
One red-faced crying baby.
One toddler covered with curious melted splotches of white on his navy fleece pants.
One mommy who imagined herself warm on a sunny beach, underneath a palm tree, atop a soft terry cloth towel, and beside a riveting book.

And that's where I spent the entire drive home...

Write on,
b

11 comments:

  1. What can I say? Oh my, just doesn't do it justice. I hope you had a nice cool drink with you as you were under the palm tree.

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  2. Yup.... I've had those days. Hope tomorrow's better!

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  3. Oh, I was so hoping for that delightful frozen yogurt treat for you. This is a beautifully written slice. I felt like I was right there with you and all of those chocolate sprinkles. I hope you were able to sit on the couch at home for a few moments to savor the dream of a relaxing beach.

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  4. Oh-I just went to one of those places with my granddaughter. Whatever happened to just ice cream cones? So sorry, it's just a time not to be redeemed, until they are sweetly in bed. Then you can have the ice cream-hm-m, maybe Ben & Jerry's?

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  5. It doesn't sound like the day went quite as you had planned, but I have to think the writing did. Wow! I enjoyed the craft of your slice. The words you chose, the way you crafted your sentences, the way you kept me wondering what was going to happen, the way you helped me to feel like I was you right there with my hands full and unable to stop the topping frenzy....all of it, kept me riveted to the very end. The way you chose to end with a pattern similar to the beginning also pulled your tale together effectively. Loved it! Hope your next trip is a little less eventful.

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  6. I love the way you write. I could picture everything and I really wanted to read on! I commend both flavor choices, and your decision not to dump the sprinkles. Ha ha! I hope you enjoyed your day nonetheless, and that tomorrow is a bit less stressful. Maybe your beach fantasy can become a reality soon; I'm with ya on that! Thanks for sharing! (=

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  7. I remember days like this, but never in such detail.
    What a gift to capture the day. Someday you'll be able to read about it and laugh. In the meantime, keep escaping to that imaginary beach with book in hand.

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  8. Such a simple plan totally destroyed. Ahhh good you could have that beach fantasy on the ride back home. It will get easier...that should be your mantra :)
    Bonnie

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  9. Oh dear! This sounds like quite an afternoon! Hope you at least got a bubble bath or a back rub or some pampering when you got home! You certainly deserved it!

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  10. We stopped at our local frozen yogurt place last evening. I smiled as I recalled your piece, and I'm so glad I was able to find it this morning. I want to share it with our ladies' class. I'm teaching a class on capturing moments through journal writing and this is such a perfect example! Your name popped up in our All Write late-night rememberings of fellow bloggers; we've missed you.

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    1. Hi Ramona! Thanks for your sweet, sweet comment above :). I was sorry to miss All-Write this year, especially with so many slicers attending! I went three years ago and was thoroughly impressed. Did you love it? Hopefully I can come up next year... Also, I'd be honored for this slice to show up in your class -- wow! See you soon on a Tuesday :).

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