My shopping Buddy

Joshua has become my little shopping buddy. It started a few weeks ago when I headed out for a quick trip to the store. Scott was mowing the lawn and all the kids were playing. Joshua innocently asked which car I was going in. I said the van, and his reply was “which one is the van?” A few moments later after I left I discovered I had a stow-a way in the back seat. It was so cute that I let him get away with it.

I used to go shopping after the kids were in bed, but when I try to squeeze shopping in-between feedings the best time for shopping is a little closer to bedtime. Of course Joshua’s little disappearance acts have been noticed and I have started rotating who get to come be my helper. Now, Joshua has come a few times and everyone else has had a turn.

Well this last Friday, I was not in the mood for shopping but it was obvious that we were out of too many staple foods to let it go another day. So I started my list and preparations for the dreaded trip. All kids expressed interest in going, but it was even later than normal so all were denied. Joshua had his shoes on and refused to put his PJ;s on until he got in trouble. Even with his pajamas I notice he still had his shoes on. It was really late so I fed Alex before I left. Kids had been put to bed, Alex was settled and it really was time to get the job done. I was trying to slip out, but Josh was watching my cues and was right by the door ready to go when I left. (When he had prodded earlier to which car I would be taking, I told him I didn’t know—I didn’t want to take any chances)

Despite all of the refusals of anyone coming, Josh had not been discouraged. Maybe all kids do this, when they are told they can’t do something they keep going as if they haven’t heard. They push to see how serious you are. If it hadn’t been so late, I would have totally given in, because it all seemed too innocent. I tried dashing out to the car fast and locking the doors, but then I couldn’t drive away because he was right there upset that the door wouldn’t open. It broke my heart to drag him back in as I realized how important it was to him to come with me, but it really was late.

With the baby fed and no kids to hurry to bed, I resorted back to a long lazy trip. The longer I was there the slower I got, but I couldn’t get myself to move any faster. I was also hungry so I broke open a can of peanuts and had half a bagel before the trip was done. Then I realize that I like shopping with my kids (only one or two at a time). They are good helpers, I stay focused, and when I refilled the water bottles, they would stay to turn them off while I collected items on an isle nearby. I guess Joshua has secured a future as my shopping buddy. When I went to turn off lights and go to bed I noticed he had gone to sleep with his shoes on—poor kid.