No warranty.

I took the kids and their friends to the mall on Black Friday (I know, how stupid am I?) just to kind of hang, and look around as well as get gift ideas for Christmas the holiday season Christmas.

We stopped off and got some ice cream before we headed back home. Some of you may remember that Chickie got her braces off in June and now wears retainers. To keep this short I will NOT go into how she has "lost them" a few times (we always found them) or anything like that. But nothing beats what I am about to tell you.

After eating the ice cream, the girls all threw their napkins away. Internet? Do you see where this is going? We got about half way down the mall and Chickie exclaimed."Uhoh." I can see that some of you parents out there are shuddering because that term, along with "Oops" are things you DON'T want to hear from your child's mouth when you are not in the room. Especially if it follows a loud crash.

Chickie immediately said "I'll be right back" and the other three girls followed her. I patiently waited, counting the diamond shaped tiles beneath my feet and praying that it was not something that involved shoplifting. I was relieved once I saw them all heading back to me with smiles on their faces. Situation calm. Everything is ok, and I really didn't want to ruin the moment by asking them what was going on. As it turns out, I didn't have to wait long.

On the drive back home, as heard from the back seat:

Chickie: I accidentally threw my retainers in the trash can. Can you believe it? I had wrapped them up in a napkin and threw them away with my other napkin. I had completely forgotten about it until we were walking away.

Me:... (I could not speak at this moment because my head was on fire)

Chickie:Luckily, I remembered. Oh man, Mom would have KILLED me

Me:Thinking - or made you eat lima beans, which would be a fate worse than death.

Chickie:I made Meelie fish them out for me.

Me:Meelie, why did you agree to that?

Meelie:Moooom, I'm the good sister, remember?

How quickly we parents forget.