Costco system

When this episode of Tom and Jerry is over, we're headed to Costco.  Have I mentioned before that my kids love Tom and Jerry?  Most were made in the 50's and they are so NOT politically correct, it's so comical.  The only one I kind of had issue with was when Jerry (the mouse) broke into the liquor cabinet and then exited with swirly eyes and bumbled around the floor until he passed out.  When was that EVER appropriate for cartoon-age watchin' kids?  Crazy.  Anyway, while they watch their inappropriate cartoon of mice getting drunk while cats whack the shit out of them, I am finishing compiling my Costco list. 

Have you ever gone shopping at Costco with a 1 year old, a 3 year old, and a 5 year old by yourself?  If not, I highly recommend it.  For us it's almost a weekly outing.  Here's how I make it manageable and dare I say... fun!  Lauren always sits in the little part of the carriage.  She gets to look at my lovely face while she kicks me from underneath the whole trip.  My solution for keeping Drew and William from ruining the trip is this: depending on the date (Drew has all even days and William has all odd days) that person gets to choose whether they walk and help me or sit in the big part of the carriage and listen to my Ipod.  Today is the 8th, an even day.  Drew has chosen - and has made it known to all - that she'd like to walk and help.  That means William will sit and listen to my Ipod the whole time.  When we get to the check-out, whomever is sitting in the big part finally gets to get out and help load the carriage.  It's a good system that works well.  As with most other parenting things, I don't make exceptions so they know this is how it goes.  When Lauren is too big to sit in the little part and kick me from underneath, well, I don't know what we'll do then.  I'll come up with something else.  And I can tell you, as annoying as it is, I will miss little feet kicking my belly from underneath a carriage.  That is for sure.

photo by The Bean and the Bear