Friday, May 01, 2009

Grocery Shopping

I did a quick run to the grocery store by myself the other day. This always feels weird. I feel, well, normal. Like no one is staring at me or making way for my group.

And then there was yesterday.

Did you know that 5:00 is a very busy time at the grocery store? And apparently that's when the single people coming home from work and the people with only one child go shopping. Not the people with four young kids strategically placed in various positions surrounding the cart.

I felt especially out of place and received an unusual amount of "you've got your hands full" comments.

Now, typically I tend to take a preventative approach with discipline in the stores, but Noah was determined on this ride to grab whatever Oliver had in his hand and throw it overboard (they sit together with their legs crossed over one another in the front seat. There is no illustration for this on the cart and I keep waiting for a nice concerned store clerk to reprimand me).

After repeated attempts to dissuade him, and after a very deliberate "stare and drop," I gave his hand a calm thump. This was followed by an onlooker's abrupt voice asking "Does his mother know you do that?!" What could I say but the truth? "I am his mother."

At least I got a laugh out of the trip. And Noah didn't drop anything else.

13 comments:

Jen said...

I love that story!

Mainely Me said...

Priceless!

alpidarkomama said...

Oh, good grief! :)

Proud Parents said...

You've only just begun!

Anonymous said...

Ugh..I'm sorry you had to deal with that..

Eyes_Wide_Open said...

Okay. That's funny.

The Singlers said...

John's response:
That's a great one
(a minute later)
that's a new one

frustrating, yet funny

Unknown said...

It was more funny than anything.

JPB said...

Great story!!!

Bethany Fegles Photography said...

Oh my goodness! You have the best stories!

Unknown said...

Take that, nosy person!

Sheri said...

There's humor even in a naughty little boy! Love the story. Love it that my mild mannered daughter-in-law took such joy in the response!

Unknown said...

Too funny. Would have loved to have seen "concerned onlooker's face"--how to proceed. Smile and nod? Walk away quickly? Frown? Wow. And yes, there are more people with only one kid shopping at 5 than any other time. :)