To leash or not to leash?

As I was spinning this morning, I looked out the window at the Farmer's Market spot and started daydreaming about this spring/summer...taking my family to browse the booths, listen to live music, get honey ice cream (or a breakfast burrito for Joel)...

My thoughts came to an abrupt halt when I pictured Ali -- big enough to walk on her own -- but oh my, what a mess this will be!  Us chasing her in and out of lettuce and watermelons, her running faster and faster, into the parking lot...ok, may not be worth the trip.

Then I remembered...



Yes, I make fun of parents who put their kids on leashes.  I'm sorry.  If you put your kid on a leash, I've made fun of you at some point.  Maybe I should stop if I'm considering doing the same thing.

This one looks happy enough, right!  A cute, puppy leash...






Eeek...this kid looks too old to be on a leash, don't you think?  That's pretty bad...

Even worse!  Maybe a kid on a leash is not that good of an idea.

Got it!  Just give Ali a balloon and she'll be golden!

Just precious.  Zoey helping Ali along...on a leash.  Joel and I can walk the Farmer's Market sans TWO kids. Genius! 



(Don't worry, Mom, I'm not being (too) serious)