Is THAT your bag?

I park. I get out of the car. I get my kids out. And along with me comes a HUGE bag full of everything that I could possibly need during an outing. Sometimes its even two bags organized by type of item. Snacks galore, diapers, wipes, extra clothes for both kids and sometimes and extra outfit for me. Phone, camera, wallet, keys, suncreen, jackets, picnic blanket. You get the idea. As I am wrangling all this together, I see a new mom exit her vehicle with baby in tow. No stroller, no bag. Just the baby and herself. How in the world is this possible? I look like a circus with my bulging bag and whining kids trying to escape me in the parking lot (I really should buy that leash thing). Is that wrong... to put a leash-type apparatus on your kid? Anyway, I told myself when my second was born that I would NOT carry around a huge diaper bag again. And I got away with it for a while. Lately though, it seems like I have to pack for a 2 week trip just to go to the park for a few hours. I’ve tried to “forget” the snacks at home a few times to lighten my load. Do not try this method. It fails miserably. I’ve forgotten extra clothes on accident only to have my son’s diaper leak like the Hoover Dam floodgates have opened. Again, do not attempt this. Forgetting the clothes, I mean. Not opening the Hoover Dam floodgates. I wouldn’t try that either though. I would love to be the mom with no bag and just baby in tow. The mom with the perfectly coiffed hair, designer clothes and fresh make-up. But I am not. I’m lucky if I get a shower in the morning. My clothes have seen way better days and my make-up bag is in desperate need of a total revamp. But if my kids get hungry or wet or there is too much sun or not enough sun, I am prepared. And the mom with no bag… well, you may be prepared but you will have to run back to the car with a screaming child in tow. Hopefully your bag is in the car. But I am envious of you anyway.