Leashing a Monkey and a Bear

I just joined the local Mothers of Multiples Club, even if my multiples are almost 23 months old now. I didn't have the time to volunteer or go to meetings, but have heard that the get-togethers are nice. They all meet to go on "field trips" to parks, the zoo, etc. I think that would be fun for us this summer.

Twice a year, the club holds a big giant clothes/baby goods sale. Although we don't need any more gear, I like to go for clothes and books/games for my preschool students. Since I'm a member, I got to go and shop 30 minutes earlier than the general public. You would have thought that they were giving out bars of gold there or something. It was a madhouse! There were people everywhere and you literally got trapped down 1 aisle and couldn't move and there were kids and babies with strollers, and dads looking aggravated while the moms hunted for bargains. I didn't find very much clothing that wasn't worn out or blah or a good price. But I was able to get some gently used jeans for 50 cents and Drew will love them. I did get some games and toys for cheap, including Crocodile Dentist, which will be great with my dentist unit in a few weeks. There were a lot of items and gifts new in original packaging-- photo albums, frames, etc. I got 1 big photo album that was brand new and adorable-- for $1! I love a good bargain.

I also found these 2 things that I have debated about getting for a while now. I've seen other moms using them and wondered if they are borderline child abuse. I'm talking about those kiddy "leashes"-- where the child wears a cute backpack stuffed animal with a harness and its tail is a long leash. They were $4 each and brand new, so I bought them. We tried them out when I got home and they loved them! They were all over the place and wore them for a really long time. I still can't decide if they are just wrong or a great idea for moms, especially those of multiples. Hmmm... thoughts??