Who would have ever guessed that a simple trip out to the grocery store is what I would look forward to doing during the day? This is only the second time that I’ve chosen to be insane and venture out with all 3 kids by myself. Now, after two very successful trips I think I’ll be able to head out more often. I have to say that I thought the hardest part of shopping would be finding a way to get inside the store. I think I have figured out the best way to accomplish this task. I unload the baby in her carrier; I head to other side of the van and release the other two kids from their car seats. I’ve told my oldest that I cannot carry her sister without her help so she “helps” me carry the car seat while I hold my son in the other hand. Now, as long as everyone cooperates then this isn’t an issue. So far so good.
We get into the store no problem and we load up in the car cart – thank you very much to whoever created car carts because they are my life saver. I start shopping only to listen to my daughter say “What are you doing mommy?” every two steps that I take. At first I kindly answer, “I’m getting bananas, tomatoes, etc…” I find this does not stop nor even slow the questions so I change my answer to “I’m grocery shopping honey.” The questions continue and I finally said,” Love, what do we do when we come to Publix?” My daughter responds with an “I don’t know mommy.” I’ve finally learned that giving her something to look for or to figure out helps her keep focused on something so I told her to keep an eye out and try to figure out what Mommy was doing. Miraculously the questions stopped.
I was actually able to do about 45 minutes of grocery shopping without too much interruption. I get to the checkout aisle where some fool thought it was best to place candy at the eyelevel of children. I have yet to have bought something from this area for any of my children but despite that fact, my daughter simply keeps repeating “this mommy? M&M’s Mommy?” I push the cart on through so I can pay and look down to see my daughter basically has my son in a headlock and claims to be giving him a big hug. Several of the employees are smiling and say, “Gee, they sure love each other. Look she even gave him a kiss!” I suppose this is one way to look at this situation.
Needless to say, I went with three kids, I came home with three kids all intact, and even got some grocery in the process so I feel this trip was a true success! We’ll see how next time goes – it can only get better right!
