Blinded by Toddlerhood

I used to judge parents all the time thinking "I will NEVER do that if I ever have a kid."  I eat my words just about every day.  I've learned a lot as a parent and I'm not sure I'll ever stop learning.  I was at Costco last night with KK doing some grocery shopping. I had to work late so I couldn't go before I picked her up from school, so I picked her up right before 6pm (when they close) and braved Costco with her in tow.  I try my best to never take her with me because, honestly, it's a nightmare.  You know that kid in the grocery cart screaming and yelling and the mom is walking around like they don't even hear it...yeah...that's me.  I didn't have a choice this time so I had to roll with the punches.  Let's rewind.  That morning when I woke her up to go to school she had a ring pop (still in it's package) in her hand.  I have no clue where she got that but I'm learning as of late that she is a hoarder.  I found a pile of goldfish in her bed, under her sheets.  I found a package of fruit snacks in her bed too.  I am always finding something in her bed...usually food.  Awesome.  My mom tells me that I used to put pickles in ziplocks and hide them under my bed.  So I guess the food hoarding runs in the family.  So glad she got that trait from me.  Anyways, she woke up and wanted the ring pop. I said no.  After battling with her for a while I finally caved and said she could have it on the way home from school.  She was okay with that.  Pheeew.  I was hoping she'd forget about it but unfortunately I wasn't so lucky.  This kid remembers everything (as I'm sure most kids do).  It honestly amazes me.  The second I put her in the carseat she was asking for that damn ring pop.  I couldn't go back on my word and I knew I had to run to Costco so I figured it would buy me some time to grocery shop.  I opened it up and gave it to her.  Costco went off without a hitch and KK decided she wanted a slice of pizza for dinner.  I wanted a soda so I got one.  We had our dinner together and as we were walking out KK was trailing behind me.  I was trying to get her to hurry up but she was going very slow.  As I turn around I see her...she's holding (and drinking) the soda and is wearing her mostly eaten ring pop.  Right then it dawned on me that I had inadvertently become THAT parent.  A 2 year old with a soda and candy.  Wow.  Never thought that would happen.  The things we do to survive as parents of toddlers.

Never thought I'd have a messy faced kid...but I do.  A sticky messy faced ring pop wearing toddler.