MJ's Shopping Adventure

Several weeks ago, the boys were invited to a sleepover party. Toby and I asked MJ what she wanted to do on Friday night. She quickly decided she wanted to go to the "new Food City", which was built and opened recently. MJ talked and planned for days about this shopping trip. She wanted to push the mini-sized cart all by herself, and select and put the items in all by herself. And Toby and I were to act as the children. So it was a role reversal game. I reminded her that the mommy has to bring the money and pay for all the food. MJ didn't hesitate, but ran to her bank, and transfered all $5.84 to her purse. I asked her what she intended to put in the cart. She listed green beans, tomatoes, and apples. Impressive, I thought, that she should list three items of produce. And even more surprising, she doesn't really care to eat two of the three of those foods.

She answered that question so well, that I decided to truly step back and give her the reins. Even Toby was surprised at how much I surrendered. (I guess I'm usually pretty controlling about the grocery decisions.) I kept in mind a $25 budget for her, but really the size of the little cart was a sufficient limiting factor. And true to her word, MJ headed straight to the produce section.

Okay, I couldn't keep my opinions entirely to myself, I did steer her toward the apples that were on sale, and the $1 SaraLee bread. Also when she eyed the deli snack mix at $5 a tub, I suggested we get the bagged equivalent from the snack aisle. But other than that, I think I did a pretty good job of staying out of the way.

And MJ really did a good job of being the shopping mommy. Especially considering she can't read price tags. I was impressed with her understanding of making choices. When we got to the dairy aisle, she noticed the Trix yogurt (which had often been requested in vain.) As she put the Trix yogurt in the cart, she said, "I'll get this instead of the snack mix."

Her one indulgence came at the end. Stuffed animals are rather a weakness of MJ's. There was a little polar bear near the floral section which made it to the top of the cart. "Frostiness" is already grayish white-- the animal most likely to get dragged everywhere.

Oh yes, and at the check out aisle, MJ picked up some Rolos and said, "You guys have been really good, so I am going to buy you these." In the car, she passed one Rolo to me and one to Toby. The rest of the roll are unaccounted for. Hmmm.

What a fun and memorable evening. Simple pleasures are the best.

MJ, Age Three

I think perhaps 3 years old is my favorite age. Yes, there is the mischievious side which I am not crazy about. After all, it was just hours ago when MJ shredded a her brand new pants with a pair of scissors. Nor have I forgotten her participation in the lotion on the laptop incident. But those are just the more frustrating examples of how a three year old makes life interesting. More often, our MJ is making life interesting with the funny things she says. Here is a small sampling from the past week.



"Here Daddy, wear this tie! It's a big ol' tie! It's the biggest tie I never never saw in the whole dry world!" This was MJ's fashion advice to her father on Sunday morning, while pointing out a very average-sized neck tie.



Entering the bathroom after her brother, MJ wrinkled her little nose, and with a very serious look said, "Something smells poisonous."



Tonight MJ was snuggling up with her Daddy when I asked, "You love Daddy, don't you?" She agreed. "Do you love Mommy too, a little?" I prodded. "Yes," MJ answered, "I love you a little little tiny bit." She got attacked by the tickle fingers for that one, so of course she said it several more times.