Oh, For the Love of Balloons!

Sawyer woke up in a rotten mood today. Kind of whiny and clingy....just not herself.
After visiting the new Target (which was fantastic) to pick up a few things, we made a stop at one of Sawyer's favorite places...Half Price Bookstore.
We stayed a while and read some books, and everything was hunky-dory until we went to leave. She started crying about not getting a balloon. Not the kind of obnoxious, fake, no-tear cry that kids (including Sawyer) sometimes do when they want something and can't get it. No, this was a pitiful, tears-popping out-of her-eyes, truly heartbroken cry. And I was confused. Why in the world was she expecting to get a balloon at the bookstore? Then I remembered. The last time we were there, probably a few weeks ago, the woman at the counter gave her one of the balloons that were floating on the displays. She loved that yellow balloon...took it everywhere with her until it ran out of helium.
So, I felt bad for her because she was already having a crummy day and there was no balloons at the bookstore to lift her spirits.
Lucky for me (and Sawyer) there is a Factory card outlet right next door to the bookstore, so we went in and had them blow up two helium balloons for us. I let her pick out the two colors she wanted (there were way too many options, but she chose in about 6 seconds) and you should have seen her face when the lady handed them to her. It was great.
She's played with those balloons ALL DAY LONG. Literally, I don't think she's let them out of her sight (or hands) except to take her nap. She even held them when she had lunch and dinner. The balloons seriously brightened her day. Isn't it funny the little things that kids take so much pleasure in? She was happy, and I was happy that such a small thing brought her so much joy. Not that you should always buy your kids things to keep them happy...but you know what I mean.
And that, friends, is why the $1.50 I spent on those two balloons is the best purchase Ive made in quite some time.