You wanna know how lucky I am? (Since I mostly post snark about loathing parenthood despite loving my kid, i figure today is the perfect reason to tell you why I totally lucked out, in spite of the whole “not cut out for this job and seriously considering running away from home” technicality.)
In Trader Joe’s, which, in addition to tasty, affordable loveliness, offers kids stickers and balloons, and P was in fine form. “May I have a bar?” Nope. Already had one today. “Okay……May I have some juice?” Nope. Yesterday was juice day and you had lemonade at the party. “Yeah. That was good lemonade.”
He helps the checker by handing over groceries. She gives him stickers. “May I have one balloon?” Sure. We ask. They’re out of helium.
“Oh, bug, I’m sorry. They’re out of helium, the special air that makes the balloons.” Breath held, calm distractions planned, explanations of world and its unfairness and yet relative goodness calculated.
“Well. Stickers are nice.” Proceeds to decorate his shirt and mine with stickers.
Seriously, does it get any better than a three year old who can shake off balloonlessness?
NaptimeWriting 
A reasonable three-year-old ROCKS.
My kid would have been howling. Awesome.
I had a similar experience. I think my jaw hit the floor. These kids are full of surprises, aren’t they? Glad you had a good end to the shopping experience!
Probably there’s a special place in heaven for those who can handle balloonlessness at a young age. What a saintly show of good-naturedness! Hooray, Peanut!
Super sweet. Those are the days that keeps you from actually packing those bags.