Twin Challenge #3 - Getting Around

I am not a homebody. I MUST get out of the house to stay sane. Yet getting out of the house often involves so much. Well truthfully it depends on where we go. I LOVE one-stop shopping, thus explaining my love affair with Target. It doesn’t hurt either that I can get there without even going through a red light. But the problem is the stroller.

ALL moms know what a pain it is to hoist the stroller out of the car and all the buckling and unbuckling of seats. Unload the stroller. Unbuckle child one from car seat. Transfer to stroller. Buckle in stroller. Repeat. Ugh! Remember it’s 100 degrees here – talk about sweating! Then do the reverse when getting back in the car. I think the difference with twins is that until they are about 2 years old, nothing else is an option. There are finally at least a few grocery stores that have double infant seats in the basket but otherwise nothing is safe for my 1-yr-olds. So we must take the stroller…..everywhere! So that is why one-stop shopping is great because I only have to deal with the stroller ONE time.

We actually have going out with all 4 down to a science. I get lots of looks when we’re all out (mostly people either in awe or smiling at my four cuties or giving me the look that says “you poor lady.)” But I think most of the time they are impressed. We have rules – the big girls are not allowed of the car until the baby girls are completely loaded into the stroller. Then one big girl on each side of the stroller with her hand ON the stroller until we get inside, and even then they hold on most of the time. It keeps everyone safe and together. So it works well for big outings which is more worthwhile. Unfortunately I can’t buy much because I can only buy what will fit under the stroller, though you’d be surprised how much I can stuff down there. People that get behind me at the checkout think I don’t have much until they see me just keep unloading. It’s like a clown car! Joke’s on them! Ha ha!

But it’s the little things that get me. Need to mail something. Walgreens. Kids boutiques and resale shops. Forget Subway and Quiznos. I often think, how nice to just grab the one kid and carry her in while you do something really quick. Or even just grab a basket and put the kid in it, but with two little ones.... noooo…..one quick errand still requires the whole shebang! So most of the time I just forego it or wait until I can get out alone. And I have to limit myself generally to no more than 2 places at a time that involve the stroller, which is about how long they can stay out anyway, because any more stroller/car unloading is just too exhausting.

Last week I was so annoyed that we went to WalMart to buy the school supply pack only to learn after all that they don’t even carry those. All for nothing! I debated back and forth whether to go to the drug store and haul everybody out . Well, I didn’t want the whole outing to be for nothing so we unloaded and did it. And once it was done I was glad. It often just depends on the day, and the weather. And I’ll have to write separately about grocery shopping later. It’s a whole different subject. And hopefully it won't be too much longer and the little ones can ride in a normal basket.