The fruit snack debacle

Every time we take a trip to the Commissary, I let the kids choose a box of fruit snacks to bring home. This special treat usually guarantees good behavior, but today was a different story.

We hit the fruit snack aisle about mid-way through the store. Ryan picked out Lego fruit snacks and Caitlin selected Nemo snacks. The kids were especially hyped up today (standing up in the cart, pulling things off the shelves, hitting each other, etc.) and after the treats were in the cart, I threatened to take them away several times.

Finally, when we were checking out, Ryan whacked Caitlin on the head, so I pulled the fruit snacks out of the cart and told him they weren't coming home with us. As soon as this happened, the wails began. If you've ever heard Ryan when he's upset, you would have recognized the familiar combination of shrieks and high-pitched screaming. I just ignored him, but he was so upset that the scene continued. I had to drag him out of the store. I don't think I've ever had to drag him out of a store.

We finally made it to the car and he continued to cry most of the ride home, even after sweet Caitlin shared a pack of her fruit snacks with him. The crying finally stopped when Ryan realized that he didn't have to have a quiet time today because it was already after 3pm. Ahhh, finally relief!!

The funniest part of the entire ordeal was Caitlin, emulating the Soup Nazi from Seinfeld. Ryan would scream, "I want the fruit snacks!" and Caitlin would very matter-of-factly say, "No fruit snacks for you." It was hysterical and I really tried not to laugh.

Hopefully this incident will mean better behavior next time we're at the Commissary so the Lego fruit snacks can come home with us!