Hmmm...which one should I get, mommy?

Let me begin by saying that I had decided that tonight would be a good night to go school supply shopping. It's early enough to beat the crowds that will be out en-mass the week before school starts, but not so early that he'll be begging me on a daily basis to 'please let me open my...'. This would only cause me to want to throw them all away so he'll stop asking, which would result in my having to go buy more, which would mean fighting those crowds that I was determined to avoid in the first place! You see, this is our first year of school supply shopping since he'll be starting Kindergarten in 3 weeks, and if tonight was any indication of what lies ahead, I think I'll make this my husband's annual contribution to pre-school preparation. Something that should have been as simple as 'going down the checklist provided by the school' turned into a 2 hour event! Actually, I think it was about an hour & a half, but I added the drive time and rounded up :) Even he was complaining toward the end that it was taking too long. But, I have a feeling that he was only focused on getting home so he could have his ice cream sandwich before heading to bed!

So, because I'd been pro-active and have previously scoped out the store, I knew exactly where I was headed. I figured that this knowledge would help to assure a quick trip. The aisles that we needed were, of course, in the very back, far corner of the store, right next to the toys. Hmmm, what genius decided to put it there? Could it be...no, it's just good marketing on their part, I guess. Anyway, we arrive, get our cart, and head straight back to the 'section' that we needed. When we arrive, Alex's eyes literrally bug out of his head. He get's a huge smile on his face and starts his shopping spree. We begin with the crayons. Glancing down at the list I note "Crayola Crayons 16 Ct. - 5". What? Five boxes of crayons? I can't imagine Alex going through 5 boxes in a single school year. But, he is a kindergartner and I guess they do allot of coloring, so I negotiate with the list and tell Alex to grab 3. "Three boxes? Are you sure mom? That's allot!". "Yes dear, it is allot, but I'm not going to buy as many as the list says, so just get 3 for now." "But mom, you should buy the right amount. If the list says more, we should get more". Ah, the reasoning of a 5 year old. "No honey, we're just going to get 3. If you need more later in the year, we'll come back and get more, ok?". "OK, mom". And, into the cart they go. Next? "Crayola Classic Big Markers - 1". "Mom, what is classic? Is this classic?" (he's holding a box of no-name brand markers that are the typical colors). "Yes, sweetie, those are the classic colors, but we should get these because they are a better brand" (I'm holding the aformentioned brand in hand). "Can I put them into the basket?" "Sure!". And, in they go. Next? "Elmer's School Glue, 4 oz. - 3" Hmmm. Again, I question the quantity, but since they are only 20 cents a piece I decide to throw caution to the wind and get all 3. Into the basket, and on to the next item on the list.

And so, this is how our shopping trip goes. Smooth as silk. No bumps to overcome, moving right along, then BAM! Our first obstacle...We can't locate the 'Beginner sized Pencils'. You remember those right? The big fat, tall pencils? Good grief! Everything is ruined now because we can't seem to locate this item. Time is ticking, I start walking in circles, determined to find the item that simply doesn't seem to exist. "Maybe I missed it over here. Nope. Maybe it's over there. Nope." I'm about ready to give up when Alex points to a cardboard bin at the bottom of the shelf and asks, "Mommy, is this what you're looking for?". And there they are! Relief. "Grab 2 of them honey". "Ok mommy. Wait which colors should I get?" "Oh, I don't know, pick. You've got 3 choices - red, blue & yellow". "I'll get 2 blue. No wait, one red & one blue. No wait, one yellow and one blue. No wait..." This goes on for about 10 seconds too long. I find myself tapping my foot and finally breaking my silence with, "Just pick 2 and let's move on!". He decides on one blue and one yellow. Into the basket, and we're off.

After finally completing the list with only a few more set-backs, we move onto the wall of backpacks. Now Alex's eyes are really glowing. I can see the wheels turning. So many choices, colors and styles. Some you carry on your back, others you pull behind you because they have a handle & wheels. Then, he spots them, at the very end, nearest the beginning of the toy department that I'm hoping he doesn't see! The 'character' backpacks - Batman, Spiderman, Darth Vadar, The Fantastic 4, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, etc. There they are, waiting to be chosen. Each one calling his name. "Mommy, which one should I get?". "Good question, sweetie. Why don't you look them all over and select the one you like the best". "Can I have this one?" "No, we don't like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, so select another one". "Ok, what about this one?" "No, not that one either. The Fantastic Four isn't exactly appropriate for a 5 year old". "Mommy, I'm 5 1/2!" "Oh yeah! Sorry. Hey, look at the super-cool Spiderman backpacks. There are 2 to choose from. Or, what about Star Wars?". "Ummmm, I just don't know!". "Ok, sweetie, I have an idea. Why don't we go look at the lunchboxes to see if you find one that you like. Then, you can get a backpack to match". "Good idea mommy". A minor victory for me :) And, we're off again!

Lunchbox Heaven! Again, so many to choose from, what's a 5 year old to do? I immediately decide that this is a bad idea and maybe we should forego the lunchbox & backpack until another night. But, no, he's off and running already. To save time (mainly yours) I'll cut to the end...after rumaging through countless lunchboxes, he finally decides that he like the Spiderman lunchbox the best :) Yea! A decision at last. Now, it's back to the wall of backpacks. He goes straight to the 2 Spiderman backpacks and starts rumaging through them. He decides that he likes the one with all of the pockets on the front. But, after careful inspection on mommy's part, I have decided that this one isn't the most logical choice for a kindergartner. It has a pocket for a cell phone, one for pens, pencils and who knows what else. Another pouch that isn't big enough for anything I can think of, and finally, a bonus "write-on/wipe-off" board and marker. Nope, this isn't the best choice. So I say to my sweet 5 year old, "Honey, why don't you go with this one? It's got 3 big pockets so there's lots of room for extra clothes (a must for a 5 year old), there's a big pouch for your lunch box, and still another pouch for your homework". Ooops! I just said homework. This sends him off on a totally different tanget. "What? I don't do homework? What's homework mommy? Is it fun? Is it hard? Will I always have homework?" The questions persist for at least 2 minutes non-stop. Ok, gotta get him to re-focus. "Sweetie, we can discuss homework later. Right now, we need to make a decision. Mommy is getting tired of standing here and it's getting late." It takes another few minutes of coaxing, but he finally agrees that he likes the backpack that mommy likes :) Hurray! A victory for mommy, at last!!! The deciding factor? The bonus Spiderman wallet.

So, we've made our way passed the toys with little fanfare and have gotten back to the front of the store. After standing in the check-out line for over 10 mintues, it's finally our turn! I can see the doors and the darkness that lies beyond. Ah! I can feel the hot blasts of air coming through the automatic door every time another customer leaves the store. Hurry up! I'm ready to leave. Then it happens, "Mommy, why are you taking so long? I'm really tired and ready to leave this place!"

What?!?!?