Learning at the Grocery Store

 

 

 

Shopping ranks highly amongst Levi's fascinations. Fortunately, there is much learning to be done on our shopping trips. For starters, we are able to work on his impulsivity. We must look for cars before crossing the parking lot to enter the store, when all he wants to do is sprint inside. Upon entering, we must help Levi to walk with us rather than dart off on his own. He has gradually gotten to the point where he pushes the cart for us. In the beginning, he had the hardest time navigating everything. I can smile now as I remember all of the close calls with displays and people, but at the time it was always a bit hair raising. As with everything with Levi, we also had to remind him to slow down with the cart. That boy can zoom through a store with a cart! I imagine he will be highly productive and efficient, not dawdling over each little thing like his mother. Another thing we must help him with is the actual shopping. He wants to fill our cart with everything imaginable, but we are forever making  him put things back. Once in a while something sneaks through the cracks and we discover the undesired item in the grocery bag when we get home. Life is always an adventure with Levi.

 

He is totally obsessed with the check out process. He loves loading the groceries onto the belt and watching the cashier scan each and every item. In fact, we must watch him like a hawk because he has surprised many an unsuspecting cashier by reaching around and in front of them and scanning things on his own. The looks on their faces have been absolutely priceless. I bet this is not something that they experience very often. Some have been entirely gracious and others have been extremely annoyed. We do the best we can, but he is quick and we're not perfectly able to contain him at all times. We do try. Since he loves the check out process so much, we've decided to treat him from time to time by going through the self check out aisle. Oh, does he love it! He knows all about where all of the bar codes are and he greatly relishes packing each item into our bags. He gets to make payment for us, push buttons on the screen, and collect our change. He adores the automated voice walking him through each step. So great is his joy, that oftentimes he will pump his fist in the air, clap, and cheer. It really is hard not to smile as I take in his gleeful little face. Exhaustion has been a near constant companion of mine for years now, but God, in his mercy, gives me these beautiful moments to keep me going.