Commissary Trip

A trip to the commissary was a MUST today otherwise we would be eating ketchup covered rice and pretzels a la pickle juice. :)

Me being the independent Navy wife that can do anything (with updated restrictions), I planned my day. I met a friend at the Y and let the kiddos to play in the kiddie pool. Almost thought I would have to unwillingly go swimming due to a fearless 3 year old of mine, but instead I just have a sore throat from yelling. After an hour of that cat and mouse game I pulled them out, showered them and ventured on to my next task of grocery shopping.

I strolled into the commissary and bribed the kids with a special treat from the produce section as I normally do. I got smart and decided I would make them use the restroom before we made it to that third isle that somehow triggers the bladder. Everyone used the restroom and I was ready to tackle my grocery list.

Kalee choose cherries for her special treat. Bear, pluots. Great start if you ask me. By the time I finished the produce section my cart was almost full. I'm amazed at the amount of fresh produce my family consumes. I started my way down the dreaded isles. I try to shop the whole store only once a month and stay around the exterior of the store (produce, meat/poultry/fish, eggs, dairy, bread) to fill in. It helps me avoid the boxed, artificial, preservative filled stuff (not that we completely omit it from our diet but it helps). It was a struggle to push the already heavy cart. The kids started to "nut-uh, uh-huh, hut-uh, uh-huh...." and I blurted "If you want to eat at all this week you two better knock it off because I'm ready to leave...". A little old lady giggled from behind me "You are goooooood, Mom!" Then my phone rings, Max was on his way off the ship and was going to meet me. FANTASTIC! He saved the day! I used to be able to shop, flip through coupons, use my arm to ricochet items the kids intended to sneak in the basket, make sure Kalee got all the items on her grocery list, sing to the store music and convince Bear that it was in fact not an accomplishment if he jumped off the top of the cart. Today my friends, I am humbling myself by saying I don't have the energy to do it all by myself right now...BUT, will again one day. No, no ER trip to report either. :)

Two overflowing carts (one mostly produce), 19 boxes of cereal (at $0.75-$1.25 a box w/ coupon I had to replenish my back stock), 36 coupons (because I make every dollar stretch) and 3 hours later...... I walked out realizing Max should have eaten lunch first. :)

**Eating prior to shopping is a requirement in this house. It helps keep the grocery bill down**