Both our girls are doing swimming lessons since Monday. It is the second time for Max, and the first for Alex. While the latter is older, the former is kind of more aggressive towards the water, that’s why we call her a water baby. We are unsure if it is because I was still swimming in Puerto del Sol even when I was already 7-months pregnant with her. hahaha
Anyway. So on their second day, Alex and her classmates were told to bring a kickboard the next day. Since I no longer live in a place where malls are just two short rides away, I had to ask the husband to buy one for the little girl. Before going to work, he dropped by a mall to get one. Unfortunately, the designs he saw were either too pricey or not age/gender appropriate. So he came home empty-handed.
First time yun na may pinabili/pinadala ang teacher (coach) na wala si Alex. I know fellow parents out there can relate to me na it is a NO-NO to send our kids to school/class na walang dala na pinadadala sa kanila. Yung lahat ng classmates meron tapos siya wala. Pinaka-ayoko nun. Kaya kung kelangan mag-effort para makahanap, effort talaga.
So Wednesday came and Alex attended the lessons without a kickboard. Buti na lang may spare ang coaches. Still, I told her that I will buy her one after my client meeting. Since client meeting ang pupuntahan ko, I have my heavy laptop in tow. Then my friend, who was also in the meeting with me, returned my breast pump. Then I have my shoulder bag. Can you picture me already? I have 3 bags already, wala pang kickboard.
After the meeting, I went to SM North. My first stop was Toy Kingdom. They only have character kickboard for boys. I asked the one who assisted me if he can check at the main mall if they have something for girls in stock. At first he hesitated because these are two stores, while bearing the same name, are handled by different companies. But he agreed to make a call. He returned to me to say that their phone has no dial tone. Pffft!
If you are familiar with SM North, you know that the main mall is quite far from The Block. With my three bags, I went to the main mall. On my way, I googled the contact number of Toys R Us Trinoma. After two attempts, I was told that they only have the same characters hubby saw. At the main mall, they only have one kickboard left with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle on the cover.
I was tired already. Gusto ko ng umuwi! But I made a promise that I will bring home a kickboard. Lahat ba ng bata na nagsi-swimming lessons this summer bumili na ng kickboard? Hindi ba na-anticipate ng merchants na tataas ng demand for these? Those were my thoughts as I cross the bridge connecting The Block and Trinoma.
At trinoma, I went straight to Landmark. I didn’t have to go up to the toy section, which is at the 3rd floor, because there are displays at the ground floor already. Sadly, wala na rin silang stock ng any character. I tried Speedo on the same floor pero what they have is too much for a starter. Uwing-uwi na ako. I phoned my mom thinking she would be able to get one in SM Southmall, then I will just meet her up the next day since she’ll be near our area. But she have changes in her plans. I was going to try sports house this time pero naisip kong silipin ang meron sa Toys R Us.
With every perseverance comes great rewards.
Kakasilip ko sa displays sa Toys R Us, I found the perfect kickboard for Alex. It does not have a cover of a character she loves. But the moment I saw it, I knew she’s going to enjoy it. It is not pricey too so swak na swak talaga.
So I have 3 bags, one being extra heavy. Buti kasya dun sa isang bag yung kickboard. But I had to buy an order of chicken joy na binilin naman ni bunso, which I got at the Landmark foodcourt pa dahil olats yung mismong store. Tapos rush hour but I don’t have the heart to ride a cab. Nakasakay naman ako agad ng shuttle but I have so much in tow! Naiimagine mo ba ako?
Sulit naman lahat when the girls saw what I have for them.
But look at her smile, sulit naman! I know how you feel, that’s exactly what I did for Una’s Halloween costume last year. She wanted to be Tinkerbell pero ang malas kasi lahat yata ng costume ng fairy pink or purple, walang green! May Tinkerbell akong nakita but super mahal, 1k plus just for a costume?! Luckily I saw a set of green wings and tutu. I just bought her a Tinkerbell blouse for her top.