Another day for Gratitude

First day back to school after Thanksgiving break for Dylan and Lilly. Minimal issues getting everyone up and off to their respective learning environments.
Meanwhile, we are low on staples, like bread and butter (and Ironman fruit snacks!), so it's a trip to Walmart for Harper and myself. She is excited to pick out the cart and go speed walking through the store. As we go, I realize I am grateful today for many reasons.
1. Shopping is much easier with only one munchkin in the cart. She can't reach much and we move at my pace rather than the pace of dragging feet and arguments.
2. In deference to all those ads and commercials, I keep up a running commentary as we zoom through the store. As we hit the juice aisle, Harper disagrees with something I said.
"No, no no" she tells me in a calm, matter-of-fact tone.
"But yes, yes, yes" I say back as we head for mid-aisle. the conversation repeats... and repeats.
 A heavy-set man perusing juice selections at the end begins chuckling, and somehow I do not imagine it is at the crazy cartoon character on the Hawaiian Punch. I could be wrong.
3. We finally get everything on the list (+10 or so), and we enter the checkout lane behind a thin man with a baseball cap and long, semi-scraggly beard. Harper begins her cheerful babble, noting the "cookie!" as well as sharing her opinions on who knows what else in her own unique dialect. The man in front of us turns and smiles in appreciation.

These are the people I am thankful are in the store at the same time as myself. They are the ones who know how to enjoy life, can appreciate the entertaining moments and even discover them amidst potentially annoying situations. I realize some people don't enjoy children. I am extremely grateful not to be one of those people and enjoy running into others that are not of that mindset as well.
Yes, my kids have their screaming terror-wish-I-could-disappear-in-a-hole-and-die-of-embarrassment- moments, but they are still gifts. On Monday, we had tons of fun sled riding and playing on the swingset in the snow. Today, Harper and I got through a shopping trip sans meltdowns AND had two people smile and enjoy our presence.
I cherish these moments.