I really, really, really really reallllyyyy detest taking my youngest daughter shopping. For one very simple reason she runs off.
But on Saturday I had no other option after all SHE was the one needing new shoes. I figured it was easier if I took the older two with me so they could chase I mean help look after her.
Normally Abs hates getting new shoes, usually Char and I end up holding her down while we try a pair on her and pray they fit then buy those ones, but this time I tried to make her more excited about the prospect by suggesting to her that we go and buy her some pretty sparkly new shoes like the faeries wear (well anything is worth a try eh?)
So 5 of us went off to the local mall - Lucky for G he was working! First stop the shoe shop. Oh wow how lucky was I - Dora the explorer shoes and oh my they FITTED. Ok so we had to hold onto her and stop her from running out of the shop while I paid for them but at least there was no tantrums!
So shoes done I figured we could call into big W and pick up a couple of things for the girls and J that was my first mistake.
As soon as we entered the shop Ab's gave a giggle and ran! and I mean RAN, I had J in the pram and knew there was no way I was gonna manage running around the shoppers with the pram in front of me - I looked at her sisters and said "think you better run after her" Char gave me the usual 15yo daughter response and Ys ended up running after Ab's. I sighed and sent Charl following while I rushed and grabbed the stuff we needed for J ect.
a few mins later Charl reappeared on her own then Ys who was very distressed as she couldn't find Ab's. I left the older 2 with Ja who by now was getting distressed himself as he needed a feed. and I started searching.
Now as the name suggests Big W is BIG and searching for a 2 yo is pretty impossible, I ran from one side to the other shouting her name asking people if they had seen her and getting a tad scared - ok very bloody scared.
I figured if she got close to the entrance and bolted I would have lost her; so quickly I went to the front of the shop and told security, they sent me to another area so it could be announced over the loud speaker. Then everyone can look for my dear daughter...
I was scared, very scared, especially as recently there have been a few attempted abductions in our area, I was alternating feeling cross at her for running and desperately upset - so I was so visibly relived when I saw the security guard with her.
And her excuse for running off?
"But mummy I was finding monies for shopping"
Sigh!
By this point I had decided enough was enough and sod the cup of coffee I was desperate for -I wanted HOME!
So we all jumped in the car and set off....
Suddenly Charl shouted "Mum Mum move your head NOW...... nooooo towards me" I looked at her - yes she looked scared
"OMG MUM ITS A HUGE SPIDER" she screamed
"Ummm shit" I thought "is it poisonous"
Then Ys obviously noticed it and started screaming.....
Abs decided cos Ys was screaming so should she.....
I decided at this point stopping the car was the best option
I pulled over and turned around - slowly.... yep there was a HUGE Huntsman spider, as I looked it ran across the ceiling of the car to the back door on the side opposite me. By now all 3 girls where screaming - (I have no idea how Ja stayed asleep!) and Charl was out of the car and flung opened the back door for the spider to get out. I ran to the passenger side to 'prod' the spider to remove itself of its free trip out. Once removed Charl and I jumped back in rather sharply and I drove back.
Once home Ja got his long awaited feed and I vowed (once again) not to take Abs shopping................
