a photo dilemma and a pet triceratops.

"Please just give me my photos!!" {pleading}

Sitting in the cart, Eli whines -"Um, Mommy, I'm ready to get out of here..."

"Yes, I know bud.  I think everyone here feels the same way."

{Rewind 90 minutes}

I'm at school, working.  It's 10:45 and I need to pick up the last batch of our school Christmas photos.  Also, Dusty's grandma (and my boss) asked me to pick up some toys for our Toys for Tots drive.  She suggested that I bring Eli with me to help pick something out.  Eli was thrilled to break out of class to run an errand with mommy - especially one that involved getting toys for Santa to give to kids.

I drove to Walmart and once inside, made my way to the Photo department in no less than a minute.  I hate Walmart and I know you have to be fast or can get stuck in there forever.  There was no line, minus one woman checking out.  Somehow this took about 10 minutes.

{finally my turn}

"Hi.   I need to pick up some photos.  The name is under Love N' Learn Preschool."

{looking confused}, "Umm, what is the name?"

"Love N' Learn Preschool."

After the third time, I just wrote it down for her.

{still confused} "Umm, okay, I look."

{5 minutes later}  "I cannot find photos.  Did you order them?"

"Yes, Ma'am.  I ordered them this morning.  They were supposed to be ready by 10:00 a.m. and I got an e-mail saying they were ready for pick up."

 "Oh.  I do not work in Photo Department.  I will call supervisor.  You can wait and he will be right here."

{10 minutes later}

The "Supervisor" finally shows up.  He began his lengthy search for my photos.  He finally returned to tell me that he found the envelope, but no photos.  

{10 minutes later}

Supervisor - "You're photos will print soon."

"How long do you think that will take?"

"The computer prints them in the order it receives them, so yours will be last in the queue."

"Yes sir, but I received an e-mail that my photos were done.  I've been waiting a long time now and I simply cannot wait another hour.  I am late and need to get back to work."

Eli - "Mommy, I'm huuuungry."

"Let me call the manager."

{10 minutes later}

Manager - "Okay, ma'am.  Your photos will be next."

{Manager leaves.  10 minutes later}

Supervisor - "I'm sorry, I cannot give you these photos.  I need a photo release form."

"I have a photo release form on file.  Here is my ID.  I need my photos.  I really cannot wait any longer.  They are already paid for. Please, I really just need my photos."

"Let me call the manager."

{10 minutes later}

Manager - "Ma'am, our policy is you must have a release form for every batch of photos."

"I have been waiting for over an hour for photos that were supposed to be ready.  I really need these photos.  I do not have a release form with me and cannot come back today.  Can I please, please just have the photos?  Here is my ID - there is my release form."

{Hesitating forever} - "Okay. I'll need you to fill out this form."

In the meantime, Eli already missed his lunch at school and his class was already napping.  The manager begins to ask him, 

"Hi, little boy.  What do you want for Christmas?"

"Hi, I am Eli.  I want a pet triceratops for Christmas.  My Grammy showed me a video on the computer of a pet triceratops and that is what I really want.  I sure do love dinosaurs.  He is big and eats leaves and I can ride on him.  I do not like T-rex's - that's my brother Silas.  But my mommy told me that Santa might not be able to find me a triceratops pet for Christmas.  But, that's what I really, really want for Christmas.  I will be so sad."

As he was talking, and I was filling out the form, the manager was laughing, along with the line of about 10 people next to us.  Eli had found a tampon from my purse and was waving it in the air as he was telling his detailed story of what he wanted for Christmas.

Blushing, I received my photos and darted out of the store 90 minutes later.  We got in the car and Eli proclaimed, 

"You have got to be kidding me, mom!!"

"That's right Eli.  You have GOT to be kidding."



So, this is the triceratops Eli wants for Christmas.  Walmart sells them online for $229 but they are out of stock.  They are selling on Amazon and e-bay from between $500 - $1,000.  I think poor Eli is going to be really sad for Christmas.  

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