Shopping with Children and Rats

Published on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 by Katherine

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I have figured out a wonderful way to keep children occupied while grocery shopping.  Are you ready for this one? 

A week ago I was alone in a local grocery store and heard a man call out a surprised expletive (let’s just say it rhymed with “oh spit!”) while pointing in my general direction.  I turned just in time to see a rat piddle paddle across the floor (that is the only way I can describe it – he was piddle paddling!) and finally slip under a shelf.  

Instead of shock, I felt somewhat amused.  After all, times are tough and I regularly shop at a “less than glamorous” grocery store.  To us, Food Lion is a fancy store now!  So I wasn’t surprised.  And like I said, the little guy was piddle paddling! 

Yesterday I had to make a quick run for some dinner items.  Timing was crucial.  We had a birthday party in a few hours and I had to get a soup cooking quickly so it would have time to gain flavor.  In tow – my NOW EIGHT YEAR OLD DAUGHTER and a ten year old neighbor I car pool with.  

I had to make it fun and I had to make it fast.  As we were walking towards the door, it hit me.  “I know kids!  Let’s play a game!  Let’s go rat hunting!”  “YEAAAA!” was the quick response. 

From that moment on, it was a race to see who could get to the next aisle to look for Mr. Ratty.  At one point I looked ahead at them and found them kneeling on the floor, peering under the shelving.  <Shudder> Perhaps it went a bit too far. 

BUT… I was home within the hour – AND – that was pretty darn good soup!!!