TGIF

That says it all really...

Tiger has suprised me (which I should be used to by now) during a shopping trip yesterday. It was a student free day, Frog was happily playing with her friends at daycare, so Tiger and I took a girl's day out and went to the next town (slightly less Hicksville than where we live) so that we could soak up some urban delights - Woolworths and Target.

WOW

Now, to give you an idea of why I was a little hesitant, the last time I took Tiger to Woolworths I had a breakdown because of her horrendous behaviour and tantrums over - wait for it - The New School Pencil Case.

I did what I have always done and gave her a choice between two styles, and said she could pick whichever design she wanted. She didn't like those and wanted a big one (not only do I know the teachers hate them because they take up vital desk space, they are EXPENSIVE and I can't afford them). Cue major sulk, tantrum, *I hate you screaming* etc etc and I finally cracked after sticking to my guns for half an hour. WonderMan had to escort me out of the shop after an assistant asked if she could do anything for me and I replied "Find me a new family or bury me out the back" in hysterical tones....

And the one we finally came home with is now broken. So we need a new one...

This was making me a little nervous. Not only was I worried about tantrums, I was on my own. No one to hold my hand and pass me some tissues when I melted from sheer frustration.

And I was pissed off because I spent $10 on a pencil case (and a lot more on counselling since...) and it didn't even last ten flipping weeks!

So I saved Woolworths until last, and yes, we did have some grumps... but once she realised people were looking at her she was a lot quieter and stopped crying...

It was the rest of the day that I was surprised with. We drove and played I spy, we listened to her new CD, and she was happy. 

Tiger is never happy. Going anywhere as a family requires the patience of a saint. I was suspicious. 

We had morning tea and she chatted away happily, we shopped for clothes and things we needed, we found a present for the birthday party that's on tonight, we did the grocery shopping. All the time she wasn't silly, rude, grumpy or miserable. I was wondering if she was a changeling - or if the fairies had brought back the girl I raised and took away the changeling I have been living with for the last year....

I'm still not sure what's going on....

But I'm loving it while it lasts. This is the beautiful, pleasant girl I raised. I sat down over cuppas with WonderMan last night and we discussed it and wondered what had happened, but decided "Hey, this is what we wanted all this time... let's go with it!" 

So I gave up caring why and I'm happy.

Then Frog decided she liked her brand new boots so much, it was essential she wore them to bed with her pyjamas.

*SIGH*

At least it makes a nice change from the everyday, when she flatly refuses to wear clothes....