Sunday Snapshot: Determined to make grocery shopping fun…or doable

Following a great weekend which included several trips to the pool (see previous post!) and a trip to the Franklin Institute (we learned about VSDs in a BIG way…see picture below) which tired our girlie girl out in a big way, Sunday was the icing on the cake.

After church, the kids just settled themselves while Lydia napped. And, Mark and I both laid down, read a bit, and took naps. It was glorious. Seriously. Then, we just laid there and talked (imagine that!) until the kids unsettled themselves and started coming in with random things.

I have been going grocery shopping for the week on Monday mornings with all the kids (can get stressful though Wegman’s child playroom is a nice option for at least 2 of my 4). But, this week, the oldest two still have swim lessons. So, I suggested all 6 of us go to the store Sunday evening. To make it more appealing, I told everyone they could pick one item–anything in the store–that they could add to the dinner menu. I quickly had to change the parameters when I heard: “Cookies!” “Brownies!” “Ice cream!” Sorry, guys, must be a food item not simply a dessert item. At hearing this, Drew first refused to play along. But, when he realized that cereal could count as a normal food item, he was back in. So, here are a Sunday snapshot of the results.

Drew–of course, he chose cereal. He told me today he likes these because of the mushrooms. I think he meant marshmallows. I’m embarrassed to report that only 14 hours after purchase, the box had one serving left (sans mushrooms). Any takers? I bet Lydia will eat what’s left.

Evan–at first, he was slightly stressed out over what to pick. But, Mark helped him find these. Really, Mark? This is a borderline dessert item as well. Oh well, Evan was thrilled with the find and ate several of these bad boys.

Ashlyn–always the thinker and mothering type. She gets a big pat on the back for picking apples for her item. Of course, I cut a whole one up for her and she ate maybe two slices. She was too busy eating chocolate chip waffles and Lucky charms to care much for the apples.

Lydia–don’t think for a minute that we left her out. We asked her what she wanted and she babbled “na, na, na, na” so the kids/interpreters informed me that she had chosen bananas. That works for me.

Mark cheated a bit, picking a single serving of sushi and seaweed salad. Glad he enjoyed it but hardly a contribution for dinner. I chose a frozen Dole smoothie which I loved…as did Lydia. She drank a good bit of it. So thankful the girlie has now mastered a drinking straw. A whole new world has opened up to her.

Sorry for the lack of snapshots of real people. I am guessing that snapshots of these random food items are really not all that interesting. But, I was too busy blending my smoothie, holding the glass for Lydia to slurp, making waffle after waffle in our oven, and pouring countless bowls of Lucky charms to grab the camera. So, these snapshots will have to do.

After dinner, guess what we did? Headed back to the pool…again. And, even hit Rita’s afterwards (please don’t judge me for the amount of sugar I allowed my children to consume in one night. It’s summertime.)