groceries

I have no doubt in my mind that I have been blessed with two amazing kids. When we are out and about, as long as I choose the right time to go shopping with them, we hardly have a problem. However once in a blue moon, a seemingly smooth shopping trip can go downhill rather quickly.

Today my Mother and I decided to go grocery shopping during the afternoon. It meant that the kids would miss their nap but hey, that happens once in a while. With lists in hand (well…on cell phone) the group of us marched confidently into the grocery store determined to complete our task. These trips are very to the point (no browsing or dilly dallying) with rules and routine to help get the most time out of the kids. Rules, you ask? Yes b’y!

The Newfoundland Mommy’s Grocery Store Rules

Do not touch any groceries unless Mommy says it’s ok
When walking, always stay next to the cart
Do not bug Mommy to put certain groceries in the cart
The free cookie club cookie is earned. Do not ask repeatedly for it.

Things started off very well with my Daughter helpfully pointing out her favorite fruits and vegetables and my Son handing me produce bags as I need them. The product section was perfect, the breads area was beautiful, the meat aisle was…meaty? Everything was going fine until we reached the dairy section. Perhaps it was the lighting or maybe the yogurt was sending them subliminal messages but whatever the reason…my kids went absolutely nuts.

My pretty princess decided she was tired which put her into cranky mode. She got upset when her Brother looked at her, when I put lemonade into the cart and each time we went into a new aisle. My little man switched to “I’m gonna ask for pizza five times a minute” mode and when he didn’t like the answer, he whined and whined and whined!! As always, I calmly addressed the issues and did my best to reassure them that we would be leaving very soon.

Thankfully there were no lineups at the check out but the bickering and complaining continued. The cashier chuckled while, at that point, I simply ignored their antics and by the time I got outside I was in the midst of singing “Let it Go” in an attempt to hold onto what sanity I had left. Here’s how it sounded:

ME: Let it go, let it go, can’t hold it back anymore…

KIDS: Mommy!! I want pizza. I’m tired!

ME: Let it go, let it go, turn away and slam the door…

KIDS: Can we have pizza? When is it bed time?

ME: I don’t care…what they’re going to say….let the storm rage on…

KIDS: MOMMY!!! MOMMMMYYYYY!!!!!!!!

ME: Your yelling never bothered me anyways…

Once we got into the car and seatbelts were buckled, “serious Mommy” kicked in. The kids burst into insta-tears because they figured they were going to face consequences for their poor choices. Was I mad? Nahhhh. Frustrated beyond belief but not upset. Like I said, they did miss their nap time and I can’t blame them for the resulting behavior. Pizza for supper and putting them to bed early helped to resolve everything.

What’s the lesson in all of this? There is no lesson really! I just wanted to tell you all about my day. 😉

Yeah I hear you all shouting “YES!! This chick gets me!” I do…I really do.

This evening I had one task – Go to the grocery store and pick up a turnip (aka rutabaga for all the mainlanders out there) for tomorrow’s stew. Seems easy, right? Not hard to remember at all. I arrive at the store a mere seven minutes afterwards and think to myself “Fruit, the kids need fresh fruit for the week”. After scouring through the produce and picking out lots of yummy fruits and vegetables, I wander through the meat section and pick up some chicken, a roast and some ground beef. After that I grab some milk, spices, cheese and pretzels. I was excited that there were no lineups and coast through the check out. A few minutes (and $97) later I walk out to my car, load up the groceries and sit down in the driver’s seat. Do you think I bought the turnip? Mother bleepin’ NO!!! I realize my mistake, shout “DAMNIT!!!”, and stomp back into the stupid store. CLEARLY it’s the store’s fault and not my own.

Don’t you deny it all you Mommies and Daddies out there. I know you’ve been in my shoes before. How many of you have gone to Walmart for diapers, spent $50 or more on stuff you didn’t even need and you forget the diapers? Exactly! Don’t be afraid to put your hands up.

Why does this happen? What the frig happens on a short trip to the store that you forget you’re supposed to get a single item. Not just a single item, an important one at that. Let’s face it, who heads to the store just to get one item unless it’s very important? An ingredient to finish off a meal, diapers, wipes, pads…these are all items worth a trip to the store. Forgetting that item is a kick in the pants and spending money on things you didn’t necessarily need just adds salt to the wound.

I will go now and enjoy my fresh fruits and veggies. I’ll tell you one thing though – that stew better me darned good tomorrow!

The Newfoundland Mommy

Two Ladies, Two Kids and a Grocery Store…and Pizza!

Who Knew A Turnip Could Cause So Much Grief?!