The New Meaning of "Adventure"

WALMART - WITH 2 CHILDREN IN YOUR CART :)

I really do avoid going to WalMart alone (with my children) at all costs! For the past 8 months, since Jude came along, we have been doing most of our grocery shopping as a family, which has been so helpful.  But there are days that I need things, Aaron is at work, and we just have to brave those crazy falling prices all on our own.  Today was such a day.

It was really windy today and somehow I managed to get us all in the door without anything blowing away.  I did have to laugh at Jude gasping as the wind would hit him in the face.  Babies are hilarious in the wind!  He had a hat and coat on, but he wasn't sure what to do when a gust of air got him....to funny. 

I put both kids in the cart, Jude in the front and Maya in the back.  I gave them both snacks and we were off.  From the moment the cart wheels began turning, Maya was requesting a visit to the "Spishies" = Fishies.  Since we were going right past there, I obliged.  There was a man cleaning the tanks and he had to stop and tell me how wonderful Betas are and how low maintenance they are and that we should try them before trying other types of fish.  He was sorry to hear that "we" had no interest in buying fish, we just wanted to gawk at them and say "hello."

Maya sang and I shopped.  Poor Jude was at the mercy of us both. We managed to acquire everything on my small list in a fairly short time and we headed to the checkout.  As I wheeled closer and closer, I noticed that the bread and hot dog buns in the cart were TOTALLY smashed (probably one of the reasons that the carts actually say NOT to put children in the back).  When asked what she did to the bread, she demonstrated a drumming motion on the bread.  Aaaaaaahh, I see.  Time for a life lesson.......and a return trip to aisle 4 for a quick switcheroo.  Who left these smashed loaves of bread here??  Now, you're probably thinking "Time for another life lesson, Super Mom." Yeah, well don't judge until you've been there :)

Finally made it to the checkout and Maya kept telling me that she had "disappeared" in the cart.  She WAS practically hidden in food.  I pulled her free and let her stand where no 3-year-old should be allowed their freedom....the checkout line.  I informed her as I set her down that she was not to touch anything.  She did SO well.  She only looked and asked lots of questions about everything.  Then she saw the Arcade.  Seriously, Walmart.  An arcade?  Do people not already have enough reasons to come here??  She politely asked if we could go ride the mouse thing and I politely told her "no" just as I always do.  I mean, come on, as often as I'm at that store, I can't be making trips to the arcade every time we go there!!  I'm not going to be "that" mom.  And I'm proud of all you mommies out there because I've never actually seen anyone in there!  Way to be!! She said OK and she climbed on the end of the cart as we left the store.

I was so proud of my little ones today (other than the minor bread incident :)  They both were so well behaved and that made me think that maybe grocery shopping without my husband tagging along IS something I want to do.  Besides, he never wants to go see the "Spishies" - what a party pooper!