How I ruined Grace's life

And then there is Grace. She is happiest when she is flitting around, humming a tune, picking flowers and putting rocks in her pocket, while wearing a hat and carrying her purse. Nothing is "small" to Grace - everything is bigger than life. She plays big, she dances big, she hugs big, she cries big.

Well, I guess one day a few weeks ago, I ruined her life. We were shopping in the local "Super Walmart" on the grocery side of the store. Jacob and Grace were in the basket of the cart I was pushing (I know, I know - they should be seated and properly strapped; but I challenge you to try to do that single-handedly with 2 four year olds!). We happend to pass the individually-packaged applesauce (6 to a package). The marketing people for applesauce have kids pegged -- Scooby Doo (as a pirate, no less!) was all over one particular package of applesauce. Well, Grace, who refuses to eat anything that even resembles anything close to "fruit" (except gummies!) just had to have this package of applesauce. So I said:

Me: Grace, if I buy that applesauce, you will need to eat it. Do you promise me that you will eat it?

Grace (affirmatively): Uh-huh!

Me: Are you sure? I am not going to buy it unless you are going to eat it.

Grace: I'm going to eat it, mama

Me (doubtfully): okay, then . . .

She was then given the applesauce package to hold in the cart. We then began to make our way to the opposite side of the store (I swear, it was 1 1/2 miles away!) when Jacob said, "mommy, Grace said she doesn't like applesauce." I asked Grace, who confirmed that she really was not going to eat it, and she wanted to put it back.

Okay, so now we turn around, and make the long hike back to the grocery side of SuperWalmart. When we arrive at the applesauce isle, Grace is holding the applesauce behind her back. Then the following conversation:

Me: Grace, where is the applesauce?

Grace: I don't know! I don't see it!

Me: It's beind your back. You need to give it to me.

Grace: No, mama, no!

Me: Are you going to eat it?

Grace (hesitantly): . . . nooooo . . . .

Me: We need to put it back then.

I then took the applesauce and put it back. My goodness, the wailing began! All of a sudden, Grace throws herself face down in the basket of the cart, crying and wailing, and begins to repeat (loudly, I might add!) over and over: "My life is ruined! My life is ruined!"

Tears streaming down her face, and her continuing to repeat between sobs "My life is ruined" -- I begin to return to the other side of the store . . .

Meanwhile, Jacob, who has been sitting quietly next to Grace in the same basket during this whole ordeal, looks at me and sweetly says, "Mama, I'm being good!"

. . . . ah, four year olds!