Rural King

Yesterday Jeff and I took all four kids shopping in Columbus to Rural King. We have been wanting to go down there for a couple months. Jeff has desperately been needing new boots. Okay, it is always insane shopping with four kids. But then it happened. We went to the toy department. People were staring at us because our kids were such monkeys. Four kids screaming, "I want this! I want this!" at every single toy. Juliet was even getting into it. The last aisle was the almighty tractor and construction toy aisle. It was like they hit the jackpot. They went bananas. We couldn't even talk to them. Jeff and I just looked at each other both wondering how did this happen and how can we escape, with or without the children at this point. I had recently had this idea to split the kids up. Jeff takes two and I take two kids shopping. Then the kids could buy gifts for the other kids. We could do a little exchange between the four of them. At that point in the store Jeff decided they could each pick out one toy and open it on Christmas from each other. I explained this to the boys. They each could choose one toy. Jacob picked out a tractor with a wagon $29.99, Jonah an excavator $44.99 and Jackson this mini scale three gift set with two tractors and a backhoe $24.99. We get up in line and the boys are still screaming out more,"I want this and I want that!" Jeff and I had had it! It was so stressful. We put the toys back. The boys freaked out. They were all crying. We only bought the toy Jackson had picked out. And it really worked out because it included three toys. Each child did end up with something. As soon as we walked out of the store they were already over it. But I was not. I felt horrible, sick to my stomach horrible. How could we go back on our word?! We told each of them they could pick something out. Their little faces lit up with excitement. Then bam! We took it away. Jeff reasoning was this, "think of all the times we say 'do that one more time and we won't go (fill in the blank)' and we always end up taking them. This just makes it all even." Really? Then, why did I feel so horrible? Fast forward to this morning. All three toys they received yesterday are broken. My kids are so destructible. They break everything. This list is so long but includes their night stands, books, most of the toys and trucks, their motorized dump truck they rode around the yard in, my oven and on and on. At what age will they stop breaking everything. I definitely don't feel bad about the events yesterday at Rural King anymore. I feel very frustrated. Are we teaching them this behavior? Have we missed something? Why aren't they more appreciative? Ugh, I hate this. Today Jeff and I were cleaning their room. This is the third time this week I have cleaned their room. Today we found Oreos I purchased last night. The container was half eaten. We also found this wine bottle kit Jeff received at his company Christmas party last week. Some of the pieces were missing. The kids sneaking food out the kitchen has also became a huge issue. We have found 2 liters of pop, a half eaten block of cream cheese, an empty pizza box, and many wrappers to various foods. I almost forgot a tub of frosting mostly eaten. I wish I had a door on my kitchen. I don't even know when they get up and go downstairs and sneak food. I feel like I need a security system on my kitchen. I feel like I should be a better parent and know how to stop this. We feed our kids three meals and at least two snacks a day. I am having some major frustrations issues this morning. It doesn't help that I feel like I have been hit by a truck today. Jeff and I both have colds or something. I am supposed to be in the shower right now but I have zero motivation today. We are going to take turns going to the clinic today. Doesn't that sound pathetic? At least the kids are all healthy and feeling great. They have all been on antibiotics since Thursday. In the future when the kids get sick I should just get antibiotics for Jeff and me. It is inevitable that we will get sick too.