This is the story of a girl and her balloon

A few weeks ago on Claire's birthday, we went to Central Market to pick up some foodstuffs for The Big Birthday Meal.  It's this fancy pants grocery store where everything is imported, organic, sparkly, overpriced and delicious and, well, I love the place.  Claire and I go there a lot.

Central Market is one of the few places these days that keeps a hefty supply of balloons on hand for the kiddos.  You can pick one up at the door right when you walk in.  They're usually purple or green.

I had gotten her balloons before but she really hadn't paid much interest.  Mostly she'd gape wide-eyed at it while we shopped.

That all changed this weekend.

We were in Houston at a sort of fall festival type thing.  There was a car wash handing out balloons and, well, Claire really wanted one.  She ran straight towards the suckers.

She had a hard time waiting her turn.  She was #3 and she definitely didn't understand the idea that other people would get theirs first.  Another kid would get a balloon before her and she'd look at me like,

"What?  Can't they see that I want a balloon?  REALLY BADLY?  RIGHT NOW?"

 

We tied it to her hand, but she really didn't like that.

So, we put it on the stroller.  Oh, Vintage Car Wash on Louetta, THANK YOU for this wonderful and amazing balloon.  It has truly changed our lives and we will remember it forever.

That afternoon and evening?  She wouldn't let go of the stupid thing.  Chris tied it to some toy to weigh it down and she carried it all over the house.  She batted at it and threw it but she did not let it leave her sight. She giggled and grinned and just freaking LOVED that stupid balloon.

The next morning she made a beeline for it.  It was all sad and laying on the floor without the benefit of helium to make to float.  She didn't care.  She dragged it around for another few hours until it was time to go home.

After we got back from Houston that day, we ended up at Central Market for lunch.  While we were eating she saw another kid with a balloon across the restaurant.  She pointed and swiveled her head as the child with the balloon exited the room.  She clearly recognized it and wanted one.

So, OF COURSE, we got her a balloon once we were finished eating.  (Dudes, they're free.)  I am not even exaggerating when I tell you that she started dancing wildly in that buggy when she spied the balloon destined for her.  She was THRILLED BEYOND MEASURE.

One the way home Claire passed out in her car seat, still clutching her balloon.  It was so cute.

Same story once we got home: Chris tied it to a toy, she dragged it around for hours.  She was unbelievably delighted.  Soon enough though, it was time for a bath and bedtime.  Claire really likes to take a bath so when she threw a gigantic hissy fit about it, I was surprised. 

She even stood up and threw a leg over the side of the tub (a new trick for her) while clinging to me, in a wild effort to escape.  She was literally clawing at me and screaming and climbing up my body to GET OUT.

And, pray tell, what did Miss Claire need? 

Her balloon. 

In the bath tub.

OF COURSE.  HOW LOGICAL.

Comments

[Ashley]

That picture in the car seat is just about the cutest thing I've ever seen.

[Holly]

Ha! This is why I will not buy my future child toys. :) Free balloons and the insulating cup ring from Starbucks will suffice, as Claire has so generously demonstrated. And I'm sure the grandparents will supply enough 'traditional' toys in any case.

[Manda]

Free fun is just THE BEST!!

[KLTTX]

So cute. The one or two times we have given Samuel a balloon, he immediately tried to eat them, they popped and he screamed so no more balloons in our near future.

[meghan]

Love the picture of her in the car seat! For Christmas I don't even want to buy Sweetness any toys, I'm thinking wrapping paper, ribbons, empty boxes is all she needs to keep her happy. Maybe I'll throw a balloon in there too (if she's been a good girl of course)

[Marilyn (A Lot of Loves)]

Aw. I can feel the love Claire had for her balloons. Totally cute. I love the bit about her trying to get out of the tub for her new toy.

[Mel]

I love this post. How cute. We have the exact same car seat, I love it.

I feel like I need a balloon now.