Now You Know Why We Avoid Shopping Together

Mike has been doing a great deal of work at home (which I love by the way!), and this afternoon, Mike had to prepare for a big meeting.

I decided to take the kids out of the house so he could focus in peace. Since we are starting school very soon I thought going ahead and getting school supplies would be an awesome idea.

The kids were of course, thrilled.

So we get there and the usual patterns begin.

"Can I have this?"

"Wait, I need to see if there's anything new at the dollar stop!"

"They have Mcqueen stickers!!!!!"

And so my three older children began the constant questions, chatters and begging. Spanky never bothered to ask. He was far too busy filling up the cart with things he needed (the things all two year old need--water bottles, post it notes, balls, glue, markers, crayons, locker mirrors, protractors, erasers.....).

Trying to make sure I was getting everything on the extremely specific lists, I let the kids continue and went on with the shopping.

I was glad I came early because all the kids seemed to start wondering, especially Spanky who had his hands full with 5 lunch boxes (one for each day I suppose).

So anyway, I ended up letting the three older kids get a special 'school' treat. The girls got fancy folder covers and Dino got a Cars notebook (their school keeps most supplies plain so this was a big deal). I figured I would try to barter with Spanky with something he already put in the cart.

At the check-out line, I mentioned to the cashier, I did not need everything in the basket and would be giving her a few items. It was easy to do at this point since Spanky was very distracted with candy by the register.

I handed her:

• 23 bottles of glue
• 7 bottles of clear glue
• 5 mini-post it packs
• 9 boxes of 24 count crayons
• 3 water bottles
• 6 lunch boxes
• 2 Hello Kitty back packs (guess he was thinking of his sisters?)
• 1 Koosh ball
• 7 packages of markers
• 2 index card packs
• 1 soup container

Miley commented as she was trying to wrestle Spanky away from the candy that she understood why I never liked to go to Target during the day and I only went at night when Daddy was home.

"I have a head ache and my legs hurt chasing that boy," she mumbled as we got in the car.

Sarah of course chimed in saying she would be happy shopping online from now on.

I smiled, thinking this would end the endless quests to go to Target on a lazy day.

And when I got home, I had everything we needed for the school list plus:

• 4 extra index card packages
• 3 extra sets of jumbo markers
• 2 folders
• 1 extra set of erasers

I'm sure I'll find a use for those items somehow ;)