One Day In Trader Joe’s

One Day In Trader Joe’s

I was in Trader Joe’s the other day…if you don’t have one where you live I feel very sorry for you…and I was doing the grocery shopping with the kids in tow. If you’ve ever been in Trader Joe’s you know that they carry all sorts of hard to find product brands and unique specialty items. After I had everything on my list we got in line to pay.

Just like any other store chain they put a lot of impulse purchase items right there for you to look at while you’re waiting. I got up to the register and all of a sudden I heard from my boy Michael…

“Joseph! Rose! Joseph! Rose! Look!”

In his little 4 year old hands was a big bar of gourmet milk chocolate. It had fancy paper wrapping and the bar itself was wrapped in foil like all the chocolate companies used to do. I was very confused about what was so special about this chocolate. My triplets gathered around and other people in line were now looking at my overly excited child. Then he said…

“Now we can find a Golden Ticket!”

My jaw dropped.

“Michael, “ I said, “I’m sorry but that’s not a Wonka Bar.”

All the people in line gave out a collective, “Awwwww”.

My children were crestfallen. “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” (the Gene Wilder one) is one of their favorite movies.

“Besides”, I said, “don’t you remember that Charlie got the last ticket? The contest is over.”

I thought he might cry so I gave him a big hug. People that say TV and Movies don’t influence children have no idea what they are talking about and obviously don’t have 4 year olds. I think one of the hardest parts about being a parent, at least for me anyway, is watching when reality rears its ugly head for little kids.