It's The Hard Knock Life...For Us?

On a recent trip to our local grocery store, girls-in-tow (of course!), the trip was filled with "the usual" chaos: Josie wanting to walk instead of ride complacently in the shopping cart, which usually is the beginning of the end of what could have been a journey of wonderment and surprise, discovering new sights and smells among the aisles of Wal-Tart.

Between the free-for-all grab fest on my end as I watch the girls tear thru the aisles, it becomes increasingly clear that I am losing control of the situation. How can I get these two angelic partners-in-crime to mind me? And as if God was showing me the answer I so desperately sought, I just happened to view a stepford wife in the check-out line, smiling peacefully as her pristine looking brood of four stood silently beside her.

Making sure Josie and Sara hadn't torn down the entire junior rack of clothing, I do what I do best: Ask questions w/o the fear of feeling ridiculed. "Wow. You're kids are SO well-behaved. How do you do it?"

As I took in a more detailed glance, each child was holding a small treasure in his/her hand. Chocolate bar, Barbie and the smallest two had dvd's, clutched tight to thir chests.

"Bribery." She answered, smiling knowlingly at me.

Hence, the movie "Annie" was purchased due to good behavuor. Sara mow wants a new dog called "Sandy" and sings "It's The Hard Knock Life" on que. I've begun to join in, although our choreography needs some work.