The C is for Cookie Edition

Yesterday was an eventful day. Not only was Zoe up most of the previous night, but that developed into severe Intwopendence attitude throughout the day.

Fortunately for me, I bought a child carrier backpack. Zoe and I are headed down to the nation's largest three-on-three basketball tourney this weekend. In our city, you ask? Why yes. Apparently we're the only city in the nation that can close all routes through downtown and life will function as normal.

In high school I never missed this tournament. It was my feable attempt to impress boys with my love and knowledge of basketball. Obviously since I married a band member, my charms cannot be rivaled.

Now the whole experience serves as an opportunity to people watch and support my nephew's hockey team. Hockey at a three-on-three hoops tourney? Why yes. His hockey team is sponsoring a concession stand. He knows the key to my heart. Fried foods.

Because there are like 2 billion people crammed into 40 city blocks, I thought it best to avoid any stroller action. Nothing worse than running over some 7 foot, 300 pound basketball player's pinky finger, which provides the magic touch for his three-pointers. I don't know if I'll be able to keep him from experiencing Zoe's riot act.

I have to protect the players. It's my civic duty.

I'm very excited about my new pack. May I present the Kelty Kids 2.1 in Green Apple.

I spent a good portion of the evening attempting to coordinate all the moving parts for a safe, comfortable ride. I read the entire 4 pages of the directions. Learning that carrying a child like this might affect my coordination and width perception.

Fortunately for the writers of the Kelty, I've always had a width perception problem.

Or maybe just a width problem.

Since Zoe loved riding in her Bjorn when she was an infant, I knew she would love riding in a backpack. I was right. She cried, screamed and pulled my hair the entire 35 hours she was in it.

Okay 3 minutes, but I swear it felt more like 35 hours.

Finally, after hiding the pack and distracting her with cookies, she calmed down. We read her book Nighty Night which suprisingly talks about sleep. Cookie Monster is her favorite. He sleeps with 7 cookies. Which I think reminds her of me. Except I'm not blue.

We were headed to bed, she kissed grandma and was all smiles. My mom asked us to turn around and Zoe was holding a cookie.

I'm glad she's learning right.

Maybe next week we'll try one for each hand.

And pack a whole bag of them in the Kelty Kids. I'm going to need something to stop my screaming. From all the hair pulling.

Or a peace offering to the 7 foot guy whose finger I step on from the coordination issue.