Grocery Shopping with 4 Boys

Step one: Plan your attack. I cannot emphasize this enough. Write down exactly what you are going after, preferably in the order that you will approach each item in the store if you start at the produce and work your way aisle by aisle.

Step two: Deep breath. Hustle all 4 across the parking lot, telling 7 year old to slow down, 5 year old to hurry up, and hang on to other two. This may not be easy as the 3 year old will most likely be trying to wrestle his hand out of yours so he can race through the cars.

Step three: Buckle all four boys down in the special car buggy. Proceed to go aisle by aisle, gathering items on list. Just throw in the basket and go. Exchange knowing smiles with other moms wrestling their own children in the carts (strangely enough, their children are boys as well).

Step four: Reach the foil trays. Realize that these are a little pricey, and that there is no generic brand. Pause to think if you really want to spend that much on something that will be thrown away. Boys realize that the cart has been still for 30 seconds. Boys start to tussle. Realize that you don't have time - just pay for them this time and start moving again.

Step five: This is it! Get all of the items onto the checkout stand. Warn 5 year old that he is getting a bit too loud - use that inside voice! Retrieve 3 year old's discarded shoe. Pick up 1 year old who is now fussing.

Load the car and drive. Hustle everyone into the house. Exhale.


Side note: Rainy days, where boys have been cooped in all day are not good errand days. At all.