She's sneaky like that

Bella, Austin and I just returned from a trip to the grocery store. If there's anything I've learned since becoming a mother in regards to taking children to the grocery store (or any store for that matter) it's this: expect anything. We've experienced everything from diaper blowouts to runaway children. Today was no exception. Since Austin has become an independent sitter, he sits in the front of the cart and Bella walks along side. I've really become aware of how many crappy foods are marketed to children since Bella has been walking through the store instead of riding in the cart. It's crazy the bad foods that are stocked eye level to a 3 year old. It's shameful really, but that's not the point of this post, or maybe it is...

I was almost through with my list and finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, when I went to get some yogurt. While I was picking out flavors, Bella spied the Pillsbury Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk ready to bake cookies. The girl has a bad sweet tooth.

Bella: "Can we get these, Mommy?"
Me: "No. We already have ice cream in the cart. We don't need ice cream and cookies. Maybe some other time."

That was it. No whining. No fit. Easy. So I smile smugly at my parenting skills and continue to pick out yogurt.

Most of the time, I prefer to do my grocery shopping on a weekday. It's far less crowded and the shelves aren't as picked over. The one drawback to shopping during the week though- not many grocery baggers. So, I usually end up bagging most or all of my groceries myself. Today was no exception. (Sometimes I do prefer to bag them myself so I can make sure that raw chicken doesn't end up in the same bag as grapes and apples. I guess not everyone appreciates being able to avoid salmonella while eating fruit.) Anyhoo, as I was bagging away, what should come down the conveyor belt? Those Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk cookies. My smug smile was replaced by my gaping mouth. When I made eye contact with Bella, her guilty smile gave her away.

Me: "Bella, did you put these cookies in the cart when I wasn't looking?"
Bella: "No, you did."
Me: "Bella, it's not nice to tell a story. Tell me the truth, did you put the cookies in the cart?"
Bella: "No"
Me: "Well if you didn't and I didn't, who did?"
Bella: "She did." As she pointed to the check out lady.
Both the check out lady and I were doing our best to keep a straight face.

Bella finally fessed up. But, by this point, I figured those cookies were destined to be taken home with us. Because, Bella's sweet tooth was likely inherited by me. Maybe not the best parenting decision, but those cookies will be delicious, I'm sure. Perhaps I'll be a little more vigilant over Bella's "shopping" next time.