Family Field Trip

Last week, out of nowhere, Little said, "Mom, can we go to Trader Joe's and you can put it on your blog?" This is funny on so many levels. . . I didn't know Little was aware of this blog, what a blog is, etc. I do know that Little has been obsessed with returning to Trader Joe's ever since we went there to get a meal for friends on a Gluten Free diet. She LOVED the fact that they had little grocery carts just her size. She has talked about going back and pushing one of those carts ever since.

That was a long time ago.

After the blog mention and my response, "That would be fun, " Little had it in her mind that we were going and every afternoon came out of rest time with her shoes on, prepared to go. The third times a charm and on Tuesday our schedule was finally such that I set off in the van with the three kiddos - destination: Trader Joe's.

The entire 2 mile drive was spent rehearsing how this outing was going to play out.
"If there are enough small carts you may all push one. If there's not enough for everyone, then Little gets to push this time and Bubba and KB will ride in my buggy. If you are pushing a buggy you must look where you are going. Be aware of people. Obey mommy's voice the first time."

I parked so far away from the front door it was comical. Benefit? There was no traffic to compete with and safety was pretty much guaranteed. Once we got to the sidewalk I was pounced upon by one wanting my signature on a petition; the children were, thankfully, entertained by this . . . fountain? Spurting water thingy?


There were enough carts for everyone and so we headed into the store in a single file line. The kids happened to line up by age and it was just as adorable as you are imagining. AND just as comical. I was walking beside them calling out instructions ("Eyes up! Watch for people! Watch for those bottles! Etc.) and grabbing front corners of carts to redirect. I don't know that I have ever really paid attention to just how many tall displays of bottles there are in Trader Joe's until this outing with my children. FOR PETE'S SAKE!!!

In the next picture you can see one said bottle tower. You can also see two of the many little old ladies who kept peeking around corners to watch us travel through the store. They weren't quiet talkers and so I heard, "Mae - come look at this." and "That's really cute." And then one said TO ME, "I see what they have in their buggies!!" So glad to know her eyesight was good. (Her comment was actually meant to give guilt. My good Southern upbringing dictated I not tell her to mind her own business. How weird is it that some stranger would start giving input on your life in random places? I digress. . .) I simply responded that the purpose of this trip was for the children to pick snacks for the next week or so and they had risen to the challenge. Good grief.


We pulled up to the register and each child took their treat of choice and put it on the counter. While the employee scanned the items I took the picture Little wanted to go on the blog. See how nicely she smiles when her plan comes together?


The lady at the register exclaimed, "A camera! What is this? A field trip?" She had no idea. . .

We went back out to the water spouts, beyond the distraction of . . just about anything, and I took a picture of the kiddos with their booty. Bubba picked Schoolhouse cookies (shaped like letters and numbers), Little picked animal crackers, and KB picked tiger cookies. I gave everyone a couple for snack that day and immediately Little said, "I'd like letter cookies." Bubba said, "I'll eat tiger cookies." KB said, "I want animal crackers." FOR PETE'S SAKE!


So, there you go, Little! Christmas came early this year! You asked and got a trip to Trader Joe's and it's on the blog. It was actually really fun - a great memory. So, Little, if you have anymore ideas for outings, please let me know. You sure are smart!