Since Pickle turned six yesterday, I thought it was high time she learned the art of shopping the mall. Ali and I set out to take her shopping and get a birthday treat. The moment I got her out of the car, I knew I had made the mistake of a lifetime…..
I justified her walking the mall like this. Anytime I take her out, I always have her in a stroller, or a shopping cart, and she always bawls the entire time. So I thought, if I don’t take her in something she is trapped in, maybe she will enjoy herself and just shop with us.
I got her out of the car and took her by the hand to walk in and she jerked that hand away from me and smacked me with the other one. My mind flashed back to Park City and I wanted to cry.
I herded her into the store, all the while insisting on how fun this was, and what a big girl she was, and how many pretty clothes there were at the mall. She stepped one foot inside and stopped. And there she stood. FROZEN.
I’ll admit the mall can be intimidating, but it’s never stopped me in my tracks. She is like a mule, full speed, or NO GO. And that’s the way we went from one end of the mall to the other. Stop. GO. Stop. GO. Stop. GO. In GO mode, she swings her arms and does the "BA BA BA" thing. If anyone walks too close to her, she smacks them. I think yesterday she only connected with two innocent people. Fellow citizens of South County, " I am so sorry."
And that is what I said to everyone we came near. "I’m so sorry, she is special needs." I must have repeated that fifteen times yesterday.
We arrived at Ruby’s Diner. Ali and I were giggling like crazy people because, WHAT IN THE HELL WERE WE THINKING? Our nerves were shot to shit and we needed something far stronger than what they were serving at Ruby’s.
Pickle began tearing the place apart as soon as we sat down.
They brought her a Birthday Sundae and three spoons. She promptly picked up the salt shaker and salted it so she didn’t have to share it with Ali and I.
She was pretty tickled with herself.
She devoured it in a matter of minutes.
She was covered in "stick" from head to toe. I wiped her down the best I could with my wipes and the 200 napkins they provided me. Clearly I didn’t get all the "stick" off. When she ran out of the store with the napkin stuck to her foot, I laughed so hard she ran out the mall exit before I could catch her. I am so glad I captured it on my camera.
Halfway back to the car, she was done. I know the feeling, I was done before we even made it into the mall. Once she gives out, it’s easier to carry her. I was beaten about the head and shoulders all the way to the car. Not because she is mean and was hitting, she is just a spaz, and when she starts signing, and getting excited, and throwing herself around, she is erratic.
We didn’t leave the mall empty handed. She picked out a few new outfits from Gap and Gymboree. She loves them and looks so cute.
She wore this one to school today. She is so much fun. She is a freaking handful, but I can’t imagine not having her that way. I don’t want a different child. I don’t want one that walks in the mall and shops like a normal kid. I just want this pickle.
One last thing. I got this email first thing this morning and I have to share it. It made me cry. I am so proud of her.
Hi Sandi,
I just wanted to let you know how special Brylee is and terrific she is doing in class. Yesterday, after we sang "Happy Birthday" to her, gave her a birthday book (she chose), and her card, she said "mamamama" and went to get her backpack. She is trying to verbalize all throughout the day but I have never heard her say "mama" so clearly. She was totally communicating that she wanted to show you her birthday treats. Wow! She is a joy and working very hard at school:)
Anny
SDC Teacher
PR elementary
