My trip this morning was not exactly what I had planned when I set out this morning. I had to take all three grocery shopping, like stock-up shopping that requires the-entire-cart, by myself. And as we were getting ready this morning I had to start taking away privileges due to kids being, well, kids. Unfortunately these privileges included tot spot while there AND the car cart :(
I'm thinking we've got this covered. The preschooler can push the kiddy shopper cart, I'll put baby on my front in a MT and the toddler on my back in the Ergo. Still good to go :)
Well, as we are entering the toddler exclaims he's dirtied his diaper. Wonderful. Diaper changes with all three sets of wandering hands in a small public bathroom are my most favorite thing EVEH, NOT! We get there, just gas. Thanks kid :P Well, as we're leaving the baby drops his one and only paci on the floor of the public bathroom. I am NOT wiping that one off to give to him *yuck!*
Still, I'm thinking we're good to go. I know he's an hour past his naptime, and we're down a nuk, but he's strapped to me, we'll be walking and moving the whole time, and I'll be quick. I was super mom this morning and used that super cool free website to put together my grocery list, separated by aisle, with special indicators for items that had coupons and everything. But as I turn the corner into the produce section I look for my list. It's nowhere to be found - I left it in the printer :(
It's still ok I tell myself. The preschooler is doing well, the toddler LOVES being on my back, and the baby is rubbing his eyes but still not fussing. I'll just try to remember everything on my list.
Ha ha ha! All you other moms are chuckling at me right now, aren't you?
As we are turning down the next aisle the baby starts to fuss. And I'm already forgetting things and having to back-track. As we continue I'm having to tell myself to just get the necessities. I can come back for the extras later. I just need the stuff for dinner tonight and the stuff that's on sale that won't be tomorrow. It'll be ok.
By the time we turn the last corner and head for the check-out lanes the baby is crying and overtired and I am SO relieved that my most favorite checker is on duty and doesn't have a single person in her line. She is awesome. She takes my coupons and my vouchers, organizes it all for me. The manager on duty notices that we were in a 'you bag' lane and comes over to help me unload the rest of the groceries from my cart and grab the cloth bags that I had DD stuff on the bottom of my cart for me. Remember I have not one but TWO kids strapped to me? He also commences to start bagging our groceries for us. While I look up from trying to calm the baby the other checker in the lane next to us who was also free came to help DD unload her little kiddy cart. Half way through my order the world's most awesome and nicest checker lady asks if I want parcel pick-up. As I open my mouth to decline because I'm already embarrased at the sight we must be she assures me that he can follow us out to our vehicle so he can start loading us up while I'm getting the kiddos in.
And THAT is why I will always take my business to my most favorite grocery store ever. Did you catch all that?
Here it is and more:
- They have pregnancy and new mother parking
- They have a tot spot to drop the kiddos off if you want
- They have car carts if you want to take them through with you
- They have not one, but two free lanes (less on the weekends but sure beats some other stores I've been to on weekday mornings)
- They have the most awesome and caring and capable and quick and efficient checker in the world!
- They have both you bag and we bag lanes
- The manager drops what he's doing to help
- The other checker drops what she's doing to help
- The parcel pick-up guy follows you out to the parking lot to help if you need it
- Oh, and those reusable bags I brought? You can get a nickle off of your bill for every bag you bring and use. Not alot, I know, but after all of that, doesn't it just put the icing on the top?
And as for my state of mind? Yes, I'm crazy. Yes, I wore two kiddos through the whole store and parking lot. Yes, it would have been fine, and I would have even made it look good, too, if only that nukkie wouldn't have fallen on the bathroom floor...............
P.S. Thank you to my older kiddos for being so sweet and agreeable even though your baby sibling was tired and I was just a tad flustered. Thank you, preschooler, for following close and not leaving my side. Thank you, toddler, for making babywearing look awesome. You had all the grannies and grampies smiling at you even though your baby brother was tired.
P.S.S. Thank you LORD for helping me to at least not forget the wallet or lock the keys in the van or have a running child or forgetting my baby carriers or any other of the 110 other minor things that added to the tired baby would have made me cry.