Friday, June 27, 2008

grocery shopping mama

I just returned from a huge grocery shopping trip.

The fun part? Taking all three of my children.

Oh, I'm joking. It wasn't really fun.

For them, maybe, but not for me.

I have taken for granted the beauty of public school, and being able to grocery shop sans children. If you're tempted to hate me for that, don't. Please. Because the 2007-08 school year was the first time in 10 years that I've not had at least one child in tow.

I told them before we went inside that we were sticking to the list.

That didn't keep them from asking me for eighthundredandninetytwomillion things.

And don't think for a minute that I didn't buy stuff for them. Everyone got new toothbrushes, hair clips (well, not Will because I can finally see his face again after his haircut yesterday!), and snow-cone syrup (how did that get in the cart?). And that's in addition to all the food I bought for them.

Abbey asked me as we were leaving the parking lot why I spent $XXX when I told her we weren't buying anything. She looked so cute with the magic marker freckles she drew on her face (oh, YES she DID!) that I couldn't help but smile back at her.

The best part? Having them help me carry everything inside and put it away. I could definitely get used to that.

19 comments:

Faith said...

Hi Meredith! Thanks so much for visiting my blog and for your sweet comment!
This is such a cute post! You're family is adorable!
Hope y'all have a wonderful weekend!

Gretchen said...

SIgh...those limits we set are just b.e.g.g.i.n.g. to be pushed, are they not?

Jewels in your crown for shopping with the brood. It's a daunting task, but somebody has to do it. :)

xxxooogretchen

Teri H said...

LOL! I'm sorry... school will start again...

You are training them well! My boys no longer go to the store WITH me... but I've trained them (only one still at home) to unload for me when I get home! If he's here...

His Girl said...

I love when my kids put away the groceries.... ahhhhhhhhhh! i tell them all the time this is the only reason we had kids... (kidding!)

Unknown said...

I feel your pain, friend.

As a matter of fact I have been avoiding the store for almost a month now. Which isn't good for meal planning or the budget (since I end up running there for last minute items and buying 'off the list'!

The sad news is that my kids go back to school in TWO SHORT WEEKS!

I am not ready. Even though it means sensational, solo shopping.

Mrs.Naz@BecomingMe said...

Shopping with kids is so not fun...even worse is trying to push them in those awkward race car carts. Today while my 4 yr old was in VBS, the 1 year old and I went grocery shopping. Still not fun, but a tad easier.

Stephanie Kay said...

Sorry, I'm not feeling any sympathy here. = ) I almost always go with my 3 in tow. They know the drill - which items we get, where things are. It's not too bad. Until a few months ago Ben rode in the cart, Ellie rode in the stroller and Will pushed her while I pushed the cart. I've been wondering how I'm going to manage when the 4th baby gets here!! I guess we'll go back to using a stroller also. I'd go in the evenings when Joel's home but by then I'm out of energy!!!

Heather said...

I am wanting a snow cone, now! I will "Amen" your comment about being able to grocery shop alone- you can just think better!

Brenda said...

Hi Meredith, since I had my girls 13 years apart, it's like raising an only child. So I couldn't imagine taking 3 with me to the store. Grace is pretty good, but she's getting too tall to be in the cart so she HAS to walk and her poor little legs are getting SO tired! Then the minute she gets home, what is she doing? Running all over the place. What happened to those So Tired little legs?!
Did you get a pic of the magic marker freckles?
Have a wonderful weekend.
Brenda

Kristin said...

That's funny, I ask myself why I spent $XXX at the store too...when I wasn't going to buy anything! :)

Girl Raised in the South said...

I've gone grocery shopping with my daughter a few times lately, and am amazed how you just forget that it's so so much harder with kids in tow. But what to do when I'm the one whining about wanting to buy something we don't need????

Moriah @ Please Pass the Salt said...

Ugh. I can't think about grocery shopping right now. :)

I'll tell you a little secret though, I remember putting magic marker freckles on my face when I was little. Funny, huh?!

Rmomof3 said...

Precious!

Jennifer said...

I love having the kids put the stuff away! Somewhat makes up for having to lug, er I mean bring, the three kiddos with me to the store. LOL Well, NOT, but you gotta do what you gotta do! LOL

Kelly @ Love Well said...

That's hysterical.

"Oh, did I say we aren't buying anything? I really meant you!"

Gina said...

I have 3 letters for you. V. B. S. I know you've already done that- but I'm just sayin that we are not real choosey about denomination (as long as it is Prodestant and meets on Sundays) and we make the circuit....
Or shop between 9:00 am and 10:30 am when everyone is fed and fresh.

Michele said...

Meredith, one of my LEAST favorite things to do is go to the grocery store, and having to take my 3 with me makes it even worse, and what makes it even worse than that is when my hubby comes along (he's like having 2 more kids with you:). I always tell people I don't like the grocery store b/c I spend way too much money and I have no fun doing it. Your family is adorable. I LOVE that you had help carrying the groceries inside and putting them away!

Rae said...

I have decided to hire a babysitter during the summer months when I go grocery shopping. As far as the cost of a babysitter, it will probably be a wash since I will not be buying extras for them at the store PLUS I keep my sanity! :)

Jenn said...

I usually try not to take my three shopping but when I do it is always an event!

Can I say that I love that Abbey gave herself freckles? Just precious.