Cute Kids Have Problems, Too

This afternoon, the boys and I were at CVS (buying, incidentally, 4 Soy Joy bars, 1 mascara, 1 foundation, 3 razors, and a Crest spin brush refill for $.80! yep, that's cents.), when one of the employees began smiling and waving at Kyler and Beckett. This happens everywhere we go. People are suckers for little kids. And in Texas, as opposed to Wisconsin, where approaching strangers and making silly faces at other people's children is not just common practice but a sign of politeness and friendliness (after all, you can't just see kids in a shopping cart and NOT say anything. that would be downright RUDE!), our shopping excursions are typically delayed at least 5 min. to stop and chat with a new acquaintance about these two adorable boys. I am fortunate that my boys are typically well-behaved in public. They relish in others' attention and will flirt, smile, and say silly things to get it. So, this particular CVS incident was nothing unusual and pretty much expected. Except, when the woman said, "Your boys are just too adorable!", and Beckett responded with equal parts exasperation and annoyance, "Why are people ALWAYS saying that?!" The woman just stopped and laughed. Bellowed is more accurate. Then she replied, "Because it's so true." See, Beckett's old enough to remember the days in Wisconsin not so long ago when we could shop uninterrupted, without the joyous gushing over his and his brother's cuteness that's now, at least to Beckett, so painfully predictable and confusing. Now, here in Texas, life is just full of problems. It's hard being cute.