quality vs. quantity

I heard a quote on parenting that says quantity is more important that quality. Which on the outset sounds a bit off doesn't it? Shouldn't everyone spend quality time with their children? But, thinking about it again i suppose that having your kids with you while you're even doing the mundane junk of everyday lets them learn how you (instead of a nanny, or manny if you're Britney Spears) interact with people, how you spend your spare time, and what sort of things make it to the top of your priority list. Ok, so that makes sense. Makes me reevaluate a few things but definitely makes sense. What kinds things do make my priority list? How do i talk and interact with others?

The other day we were grocrery shopping and I had Sophie and Owen with me and 2 sisters that we were watching for the day while their parents were at a conference. Shopping with 4 kids is a pretty insane but i'm proud to say we did it and came out with lots of food and without incident. Well, except for the following.... I am checking out and placing everything on the conveyor belt and owen is off choosing some gum. An older woman pushed her shoppping cart up behind me and was looking at some magazines and sort of blocking the aisle in front of Owen. I'm watching him try to maneuver past this lady and feel confident he'll be polite and just ask her if he can get get through. This is Owen after all, the easy going mellow little boy.

But instead he hollers, "Excuuuuse Me, Old Lady!" And while he says 'old lady' he shifts his body back and forth like a rapper from one side to the other. "WHAT THE CRAP? What was that?? I couldn't believe my eyes and ears, I was absolutely mortified. The lady was a little startled but she said, "well, alright, now you can get through." He makes his way up to me and i grab him by the hand and march him right back over and wouldn't let him leave until he looked at this kind lady and said, "Excuse Me, Please."

Of course by that time he was very embarrassed and just put his head down but we stood there until he said it to her.

No way did he learn this from me, right? I mean, we do live aournd A LOT of old people. It's got to be at least 75% elderly here. But I'm the one that likes old people, remember? All those cute littly hunchy couples walking each other around the block, i love that. Or, did i get a little too flippant with my comments as we slowly, oh ever so painfully followed an elderly driver as they made their way down our street. dang. Kids pick up on everything.

Maybe they ARE better off with the Nanny.