The one in which I prove just how far I will go to show my love for my son

The boys and I went to Walmart the other day to get a few items, including a new cooler for Buddy to use at work. With Jacob in the car seat inside the buggy, there was no room for the cooler, so Quinn got to be Mommy's helper and pull the cooler through the store. Normally I make him ride in big stores when I'm by myself or if we are in a hurry because it's easier that way. So he thought he was a cool dude being able to walk through the store.

And he was being a good helper....until we saw the balls.

Walmart is so thoughtful to strategically place large bins of balls of various sizes throughout the store, so children will see them and scream their heads off until the parents give in and buy one. At an impulse purchase of $2-$3 apiece, that can add up to a lot of extra money each year for Walmart! Good marketing strategy.

*Ahem*  Sorry, where was I?

Oh yes, the balls. And Quinn politely asked if he could have one.

Did we need another ball at our house? Nope.

Had he been a good helper? Yep. He pulled that cooler through the whole store, stayed right beside or behind me, and never ran into me or any of the other shoppers.

So I decided yes, he could choose a ball.

However, this time Walmart Marketing came up with an even better idea. Not only have they decided to place the balls in a strategic place (right by the registers) they added the element of public embarrassment.

You see, these were the largest balls I've ever seen sold at Walmart, so they needed a special display....an above-ground swimming pool. I'm not good on dimensions, but I would say the pool was about 8 feet in diameter and was almost up to my hips (and I'm short), so it was probably 3-3.5 feet high.

Quinn picked the one he wanted....blue with orange polka dots.  He's gonna make a good Clemson Tiger one day!

But for now, I think he's secretly part of the Walmart Marketing team, because the ball he chose was in the exact center of the pool.

Yes, yes, it was.

I tried the easy approach and suggested a plain blue or a plain orange ball, both of which were within easy reach.

Not good enough.

So I did what any good mother would do......

Yup....I climbed in that pool and got the ball for my boy!

Not because he pitched a fit for it.

Not because other people were watching to see what I would do.

But because I love him!

(I did have to pull the cooler with one hand and push the buggy with the other, but that's another story!)