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Saturday night 4/21 - half way through Planet Earth on Discovery channel my husband declared, “I’m beat and calling it a day see you upstairsâ€Â. Wanting to finish the show and the mundane details of domesticity I responded, “okay, I’ll be up in a minuteâ€Â.
By the time I mousy on upstairs, he was fast asleep. In the bathroom, near my toothbrush was a yellow sticky that read: “. . . . . the alarm is set at 6 we need to leave at 6:30 (wii) good night…â€Â
He’s been chasing the elusive wii since December. He promised the kids (on condition that schoolwork’s the priority) he’d buy it ---if not during Christmas --- by mid April for sure labina kon happy siya nan 3rd quarter grading report.
He’s been on a wii hunt ever since.
Word got out that Toys R Us will be getting a substantial shipment and will have them available by 4/22. Strictly first come first serve basis no rain check.
Sunday morning's when I sleep in. I’d get up around 9:00 take my sweet little time to get ready for the 10:30 mass.
The yellow sticky ruined my planned lazy Sunday morning knowing he’s determined to do whatever it takes or cost (my precious sleep) to obtain that wii.
He had already cooked bacon and eggs and was dressed ready to go when he gently nudged me to get up. Half asleep I jumped into the shower, wrote a quick note to stick on the bedroom door to let the kids know Mom and Dad are out early to check something. Breakfast’s ready on the table, to call us if they need us and very important, ALEXA ANAK DON’T BOSS YOUR BROTHER AROUND!!!.
I grabbed my pocketbook, grouped stuff that would keep me occupied during the early start to a long anticipated wait. I brought my camera too thinking this is one silly stupid thing I would like to document for posterity. Crazy things parents do for their kids. Lu grabbed his camera too kay may problema iya ipa check sa Best Buy next door to TRU.
We pulled into the Toys R Us parking lot around 6:35 am. To my horror there were two lines forming opposite from each end of the store entrance.
One line had already snaked down the sidewalk around the corner passed Best Buy Electronic Store, passed the old motor vehicle office and half way down Stop and Shop Supermarket. I looked at my husband, let out a little cry and said, “If that’s not madness! I don’t know what … are you sure?†“Yap†he said, “We promised the kidsâ€Â
You promised the kids I was dying to say but I bit my lip too early to argue.
Soon we discovered that one line was for the ticket, the other for the store. We split. He briskly walked toward the ticket line and I headed for the store line.
Not soon enough word traveled down the line that the 4th person in front is a nearby 24-hour CVS Store employee. His shift ended at midnight. Being it was a warm night he escaped home drove straight to the parking lot, set his wristwatch alarm to 4 am reclined his seat then went to sleep.
When his alarm went off, he looked, 3 people were already forming the line. The first 3 guys got there at 2:30 am!!!!.
We saw familiar faces, kids’ friends and classmates’ parents some in front of us others behind us. We communicated via sign language shaking our heads, pointing imaginary guns into our head - - - gesturing at each other about how crazy we are and how can we let our kids do this to us.
But honestly we were starting to have fun.
Five hours later, tired, hungry, money poorer but wii, extra control and 2 games richer Luis said, “Never will I promise again!â€Â
For years I’ve been telling him that (don't promise just say maybe) but did he ever listen?
On our way out we saw Dr. Lavine daddy nan best friend ni Karlo. Lingo-lingo siya tapos laong dayon “Is that for Karlo? I can’t believe it, Michael told me Karlo’s got one already!!!†Lu asked him if he got a ticket. He said yes but Michael’s not going to see the wii just yet. “I’ll hide it from him for about a week punishment for lyingâ€Â. Lu gave him two thumbs up, then turned to me and said “loko pala talaga tong si Michael" as we walked out the door.
Young parents be warned....kids will go the extra mile just to get their parents to get them what they want.
On the ride back home with the kids' new wii, I told Lu we have to watch Karlo carefully. We don’t know what trick he might have picked up from Michael already. Hahahaha…
](./images/smilies/eusa_wall.gif "Brick wall")
