A few weeks ago, I had a horrible experience in a little store. It's a tiny Amish store but they have fabulous produce and great prices. I had all three kids with me, with super strict warnings to stay with me and be incredible listeners! They were; they did fabulous, until...we were checking out. Ben and Annie were unloading our cart. I was semi helping them and trying to move forward to pay. Emily was standing on the edge of the cart and reached over in a split-second and touched the cash register next to us. OOPS! The lady pretty much went ballistic.
I have received my fair share of comments in stores (of having my hands full) and have learned to basically roll with the punches. I do have THREE children - that is sooooo many! Alas, this cashier proceeded to talk incredibly rude about me and my children to her customers, other cashiers and the people waiting in line. In her 2 minutes interaction with me, I was an unfit mother who didn't watch her children, had too many children, and basically should never take them to a store unless I was going to control them. (This was nicely tempered by the 4 comments I'd received while shopping about how helpful and well-behaved they were.) After I had paid, I reached over and touched her on the shoulder and apologized as sincerely as possible(for the 4th time) - telling her I was so sorry. I got a, "Ya, well, you need to watch your kids." Hello? I was watching; that's why I could tell you what button she pushed!?! **Just for my sake, my child is 2 years old AND I've been noticing that every other cash register in the store (and every other store I've been in) had a little plastic piece between the register and the next aisle protecting it from possible little wandering fingers, except that one.) Granted - still my child's mistake.
By the time I left, I was in tears. Not a typically Lindsey thing! I think I'm pretty easy-going. Once I vented a little bit to a friend and Andy, I expected to fell better about this. Well, its still bothering me enough I don't want to go back. I talked to a friend this morning (who is picking me up some apples from that store) and kind of shared my experience. After learning I'm not the only one who has had issues, I called the manager. I DID IT!
I've never called a manager to complain before. It felt good. After I explained what happened and how I felt, he said she had mentioned this situation to him and Emily had wiped out the order. I apologized (AGAIN) and said that the woman had re-entered it in less than a minute. He apologized profusely. I did great; stayed calm and said everything I wanted to to. It was a good 8 minute conversation. My heart is still beating rapidly (2 hours later!) and I worry that next time I'm there she will shoot daggers at me, but that's okay. She did that before too! No one should be made to feel like dirt because their two-year-old had quick fingers. Nor should a woman be made to feel inferior because she has THREE whole children! Earl asked me to please call him again if I am ever in the store again and am treated that way. You betcha!!! What an empowering feeling to stand up to a BULLY! At least to the bully's boss... :)
Lots and lots and lots of snow. Annie hated it because the snow was so high, it would cover her boots and sneak inside. I have that covered now! I gave her some bigger ones and Annie's to Emily, so everyone is happily covered...except me (but I don't whine as much as the kids do). This is the leftover from the snow plow - you can see from about 2 feet from where Andy is standing to the road - would have taken another 4 hours!
This is the front yard; our fire hydrant is completely covered.
Carving out the guts of the cave!
They put water in a circular sled and let it freeze overnight. After church on Sunday, they put a 'window' in the cave. It is so awesome. We ride on a sled to get in. Our entire family was in the cave and could have easily played cards or a board game. I can completely stand up and Andy almost can. It is seriously AWESOME!
The pathway to enter...
Standing on the inside of the cave by the window. They also poked air holes throughout the cave which also let in light. 
One of our rules is they can't be in there without an adult (Andy) and he is back to being REALLY busy, so we've come up with lots of other outside activities - snow balls, making a slide, finding the fire hydrant, knocking off icicles, etc. (Although I think the fun came from building it, not necessarily playing in it. I think they need to camp inside it because it is surprisingly warm inside!) I even got dressed warm and playing the snow Saturday; it was a blast. We had a great time. Now I've just GOT to find some snow boots that feel good. It's been fun, but we were SO SAD that Aunt Jamie's flight was cancelled and she didn't get to visit for Valentine's Day. It was Ben's first one without her. :(
