Fisher Price Little People Play Zone at momstown Oakville's Birthday Party

momstown Oakville is so excited to have Fisher Price sending in toys for the Fisher Price Little People Play Area at our 6th Birthday Party!

Moms and kids will get the opportunity to try them out and at the end of the party we'll raffle each of them off.  Here's a glimpse of what we have in store:

You can enjoy these great toys plus a few extra surprises that are on the way! In order to win these prizes you will need to check in at the registration table. Register ahead of time to earn an extra ballot! More details about our free birthday event can be found here: momstown Birthday Party.

Looking forward to seeing you at the party!

Fern Resort In Orillia Delivers Perfect Family Fun

This past weekend, my family and I were lucky enough to spend a few days at Fern Resort in Orillia, Ontario.  Fern Resort is an all inclusive resort that does an outstanding job at taking care of families and making sure that they have an unforgettable vacation.  I am fortunate to have access to a cottage on both sides of my family, but Fern can't be compared to going to a cottage.  That's like comparing apples to oranges. For parents, Fern Resort offers you a break from cooking, cleaning and being the social entertainment planner for the kids.  At the cottage, I still have to do all those things. You really get to relax at Fern and spend some time as a family and as a couple and get alone time too (there is a spa, tennis courts, golf, a fitness centre and a jogging track too!)  - Fern really is the best of all options when it comes to all members of the family feeling like they got a vacation.

Check out more pictures of the resort here.

When we got up the next morning, the kids really wanted to hit the pool.  Lucky for them, Fern Resort actually has three pools!  After a delicious breakfast in the main dining room, we changed into our bathing suits and hit the pool deck.  All of the pools are surrounded by inviting lounge chairs, even the kiddie pool has kid sized lounge chairs.  While we were in all three of the pools, the favourite was the small wading pool that was nice and warm and very shallow.  After working up an appetite, we grabbed lunch pool side.  The kids had choices of hamburgers, tacos, hot dogs, wraps, pizza and there was lots of fruit and veggies to choose from as well.  And let's not forget the dessert station which offered ice cream sundaes, freezies, tarts and cakes too!

My littlest succumbed to an afternoon nap on Saturday and that left my son and I some time to explore the resort a bit more.  In one afternoon he tried several things he'd never done before.  First up, we relaxed for a bit in the hammocks by the lake.  Then we tried our hand at fishing (those sneaky fish stole our worm twice but the two kids next to us were having lots of luck!) and finally the trampolines and then the low ropes course. Yup, all that stuff is at Fern Resort for kids to do plus so many other options and I haven't even gotten to the Play Village yet!

Left to Right - Climbing the low ropes course, playing life size checkers and walking across the suspension bridge

The Fern Resort Play Village is  really quite amazing.  I have not come across such comprehensive children's
programming at an Ontario resort before.  Just take a look here at a sample of their weekly program.  One morning, my kids got to make their own superhero mask and have a pony ride!  They went back in the late afternoon and had fun with motorized jeeps (my 4 year old son was in absolutely heaven).  The Play Village has secure indoor and outdoor areas to play and breaks down the programming by age.  They will take infants from 2 weeks of age!  And what did Mom and Dad do while the kids were having a blast in the Play Village?  Well, we had a quiet coffee by the lake, we did Archery and tried out a dual pedal bike and even got to have dinner alone while the kids watched a movie with the Play Village staff.  The resort has done a great job at thinking of every last detail to make being away from home with kids easy and enjoyable.

Motorized Jeeps!  

My final note would be to say that Fern is not just your summer vacation destination!  This Halloween weekend package caught our eye and be sure to find out about their New Year's family friendly celebration too!  Check out all Fern has to offer on their website, you won't regret it!  Momstown members always get a 5% discount off of any price too!

Et Tu Salad Kits Get Oakville Kids Making Salads!

momstown Oakville's special Et Tu salad Junior Chef event was a little overcast and we had some light rain to deal with but that didn't stop the kids from getting very hands on in the preparation of today's Junior Chef creation.  It can be hard to get kids to eat salad but one of the best tips provided is to get them involved in the preparation of the food and they are more likely to eat it.

So how did we do that when it came to making a Caesar salad using an Et Tu Salad Kit?  By involving one thing that kids just can't ignore....spray bottles!

We gave our momstown Oakville Junior Chefs spray bottles full of water to clean and wipe down the lettuce. Then they dried the lettuce and ripped it up into a few big bowls.

Once the lettuce was prepped and ready to go, we opened the Et Tu Caesar salad kits which contained everything we needed to make a complete Caesar salad - croutons, real bacon bits, parmesan cheese, seasoning and dressing.  

Kids loved being able to pour the Et Tu items into the bowl all by themselves

We added grilled chicken to the salad and then had wraps on hand to make an easy sandwich for kids. There are so many ways you can modify this meal such as adding tomatoes to make it more of a Clubhouse Chicken Caesar or adding another type of protein such as turkey breast or shrimp.  The best thing about an Et Tu salad kit is that it is a pantry item - keep some kits on hand for those busy nights where you need a quick meal.  All you need is some lettuce and you've got something yummy to add to the dinner table in minutes.  And our Junior Chefs proved today that a toddler or preschooler can help you assemble the salad!

Eating her creation in style!

We were lucky to have a few extra Et Tu salad kits and sent some home with happy moms who commented that they found the kits to be very handy to have stocked at home.  With the new school year starting soon, an Et Tu salad kit is an easy 'go-to' for those very busy nights.  Thanks to all our Junior Chefs for all their hard work!  

momstown Oakville's Mom & Baby Program Heads Outside To Sing, Rattle & Read

momstown Oakville has lots of programs each month perfect for moms and babies.  In addition to our weekly Baby Basics mom and baby program, we also have a Sing, Rattle & Read program that gets Oakville moms and babies moving and grooving!  This month we gathered outside to enjoy the beautiful summer weather and were thrilled to have such a large group join us.  Not surprising, but 20 little ones can make a lot of noise!

Everyone was up on their feet and participating in action songs and rhymes before we broke out some instruments and let the babies shake til their hearts content!  Each month we read and then give away one copy of a Scholastic Canada Book at our mom and baby Sing, Rattle & Read program.  This month the book was called 'No more puppies jumping on the bed' and the winner was Sylvia and her daughter Ariana!

We finished the morning blowing bubbles and watching them get carried away in the gently breeze.  Bubbles are always a hit and an easy way to get some giggles!

momstown Oakville's mom and baby programs run all summer long and you can join at any time.  Visit our website to start your free 4 week trial or purchase your yearly membership for just $45.  Your membership also includes a 12 month subscription to Today's Parent magazine!

Arrival of the Royal Baby Is Exciting, But My Heart Goes Out To Prince William

I was part of the crew anxiously waiting for Royal Baby news yesterday.  I guessed correctly that a new Prince would be born and I can't wait to see a picture of the new little guy and find out the name that has been chosen.  It is a very exciting time and nice to be flooded with good news for a change.

As the world focuses on the new mom and the bundle of joy, William will, like most new Dads, get pushed to the back of the spotlight for a little bit.  But I feel for him.  I just can't forget that he is experiencing one of the best things that can happen in life but at the same time, must be fiercely missing his Mom.  It always seems to be the large life events that allow heartache to creep back in even if its been decades since the loss of a loved one.  Coincidentally, my Dad and Princess Diana both died in August of 1997.

Prince William will be overjoyed while holding his new son, he will marvel at the amazing strength of his wife, at the outpouring of love and support from family and friends but I know he would just love to have his Mom teach him how to swaddle a newborn baby.  He would love to have her walk the halls with the baby during a fussy period or capture a picture of his Mom holding his son and her pride of being a first time Grandmother. He would also be gaining a new perspective and understanding about the love his mother had for him, something all adult children realize once they have a child of their own. Royal or not, this wonderful time will be slightly overshadowed for William by Princess Diana's absence.

But as they settle into their new life as a family of three, William will catch glimpses of Diana in his son, whether it be his smile, a mannerism or perhaps his eyes.  I have no doubt that William will find a way to pull Diana into the life of his little one (and any future little ones!) and speak about her, show pictures and talk about what his Mom was like.  There has already been speculation that the polka dot dress that Kate wore yesterday when leaving the hospital was a tribute to Diana.

I wish the new parents all the best and think the new Prince has a very bright future ahead.  How can he not with a incredible destiny already predetermined and with Diana looking out for him wherever she may be.

Best Summer Camp Songs For Ages 3 And Up

My son is having a blast at the summer camp he is going to and comes home each week with a new song that he loves to sing.  Some of them I recognize from when I was a kid and they bring back great summer time memories.  I was also impressed with the length and complexity of the songs he was remembering.  As a parent, I was happy to realize that memorizing these fun songs are a great way to keep his brain working over the summer!  Here are some summer time camp songs for ages three and up that are favourites in my house right now.

Herman The Worm

Sittin' on my fencepost, cheweing my bubblegum (chew, chew, chew, chew)
Playin' with my yo-yo, wee-oo! wee-oo!
When along came Herman the worm
And he was this big (make a motion as if measuring a tiny worm)
And I said: "Herman? What happened?"
"I ate my sister."

Sittin' on my fencepost, cheweing my bubblegum (chew, chew, chew, chew)
Playin' with my yo-yo, wee-oo! wee-oo!
When along came Herman the worm
And he was this big (make a motion as if measuring a bigger worm)
And I said: "Herman? What happened?"
"I ate my brother."

Sittin' on my fencepost, cheweing my bubblegum (chew, chew, chew, chew)
Playin' with my yo-yo, wee-oo! wee-oo!
When along came Herman the worm
And he was this big (make a motion as if measuring a bigger worm)
And I said: "Herman? What happened?"
"I ate my Mother."

Sittin' on my fencepost, cheweing my bubblegum (chew, chew, chew, chew)
Playin' with my yo-yo, wee-oo! wee-oo!
When along came Herman the worm
And he was this big (make a motion as if measuring a bigger worm)
And I said: "Herman? What happened?"
"I ate my father."

Sittin' on my fencepost, cheweing my bubblegum (chew, chew, chew, chew)
Playin' with my yo-yo, wee-oo! wee-oo!
When along came Herman the worm
And he was this big (make a motion as if measuring a tiny worm)
And I said: "Herman? What happened?"
"I burped."

Purple Stew

I'm making a purple stew,
Whip whip, whip whip,
I'm making a purple stew,
Shooby dudby do,
With purple potatoes,
And purple tomatoes,
How 'bout you in my purple stew?

Button Factory

Hello, my name is Joe
I have a wife and a dog and a family
I work (all day) in the button factory
One day, my boss came up to me and said,
"Hey Joe, are you busy?"
I said, "No, heck no!"
"Then do this..."
(this can be anything from pushing a button to jumping on one foot, be creative)

What was your favourite camp song?

Lettuce Wraps Recipe

Thanks to Amanda, one of our momstown Oakville members, for sharing this yummy recipe!  This is a great appetizer or also a light summer meal when paired with another yummy side dish.

Photo credit

Ingredients required:

16 Boston or Bibb lettuce leaves (you can also use a regular head of lettuce, rinsed - use the large leaves)
1 pound ground chicken breast
1 large onion -- chopped
2 Tbsp minced garlic
1 Tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce
1/2 cup hoisin sauce
2 tsp minced fresh ginger
1 Tbsp rice wine vinegar or red wine vinegar
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper or 1/2 tsp dried red chili flakes (optional)
1 can (8 ounce size) sliced water chestnuts -- drained and finely chopped
1 bunch green onions, slice thinly
2 tsp sesame oil

How To Make:

Rinse lettuce leaves, keeping them whole. Set aside to drain.

Cook chicken in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring often to break up the meat. Add onion, garlic, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, ginger, vinegar and spices. Cook until the meat is crumbled and brown. Add water chestnuts and green onions. Cook until onions begin to soften, about 2 minutes.

Stir in sesame oil. Arrange lettuce leaves on the outer edge of a platter. Spoon meat mixture in center and eat like a taco!

Tropical Fun At Momstown Oakville's Art & Play Sponsored By Tropicana Tropics

momstown Oakville didn't get on a plane but it sure felt like we were in the Tropics this morning!  The weather today was smokin' hot and it just happened to fit perfectly with our special Art & Play: Picassos in the Park sponsored by Tropicana Tropics. We had a great big group of Oakville moms and kids join us at Coronation park to make homemade leis, paint with fruit and cool down with some delicious Tropicana Tropics juice.

Juice Bar All Ready To Go!

As always, the kids got right into the painting (many little ones left with green or blue hands)!  Painting with tropical fruit (papaya, pineapple, limes and oranges) was a great sensory experience as well as a chance to do some exploration using different materials and seeing the results.  Everyone also got a chance to make their own lei to get into the tropical spirit.

Getting Crafty!

It wasn't long before we all felt the need to be refreshed and broke into the juice! We had Tropicana Tropics Orange, Peach, Mango and Orange, Strawberry, Banana on hand to try. Tropics is made with 100% juice and puree blend and contains no added sugar and each 250 ml glass of Tropics juice blend provides you with two full servings of fruit. Not to mention it was extremely refreshing on this hot, hot day! I tried the Orange, Strawberry, Banana first and really liked it. I thought it would be my favourite of the two but then I tried the Orange, Peach, Mango flavour and was surprised by how much I liked that one too!  momstown Oakville was happy to be able to give several moms a coupons for a container of Tropicana Tropics so that they could enjoy the juice at home.

Cheers!

Thanks to everyone who joined us in the Tropics this morning.  After all the crafting and refuelling with Tropicana Tropics, the splash pad was the next stop for most kids before packing up and heading home. If you'd like a chance to try all four varieties of Tropicana Tropics and get all the fixins' to host your own Tropical party, click here!  momstown Oakville still has more Picasso in the Park events taking place this summer so if you would like to join us, sign up here.  

Thumbs Up For Oakville's Family Friendly South Street Burger

This week's weather makes it too hot to really cook and add in the fact that the inside of my house is being painted and my family needed a dinner option that was out of the house.  I had received some vouchers for South Street Burger in Oakville and given all that was going on, it seemed like a perfect time to use them.

I checked out the website before our trip and was happily surprised to see their family combo option - 2 burgers, 2 kids burgers, 2 large sides and 4 drinks for $29.99.  Pretty reasonable if you ask me.  The regular burgers have some awesome unique options like their four signature burgers - The Hawaiian, The Nacho, The True North and Mushroom & Swiss.  And even if you don't pick one of those, they have more than 25 toppings to choose from!

Waiting for his hamburger

I had The Nacho signature burger (guacamole, fresh tomato salsa, cheese and lettuce) and my husband ordered The Hawaiian (ginger glazed pineapple, bacon, lettuce, wasabi mayo, hot pepper relish).  Both were delicious and we appreciated being able to order something a little more 'grown up' while still dining out in a casual atmosphere with the kids.  An added bonus?  They serve New York Fries!  I don't think I've had those since I was a teenager (hanging out in the mall food court, of course) and I won't be waiting that long before I have them again, they are delicious!

The Nacho Burger

Mmmm....New York Fries

We were too stuffed to indulge, but they also serve milkshakes made with premium ice cream and milk (and real strawberries for the strawberry shake).  Check out their website for more information on the poutine items they have, other food choices (like hotdogs and onion rings), nutritional information and locations.

We really enjoyed our meal there and would definitely go back again.  Always nice to find another great spot to enjoy a meal out as a family.  Click here for your chance to win 1 of 4 $40 gift cards to South Street Burger (valid at any of their locations).

July Tales for Tots - momstown Oakville's Parented Early Literacy Program

The hot, hot and more hot weather this month really fit our momstown theme at Tales for Tots this month: The Desert! momstown Oakville moms and kids packed the party room at The Little Gym to get crafty and enjoy our book of the month from Scholastic Canada.   

A very common sight in the desert is, of course, the cactus so we decided to make our own version minus the prickles! We used pre cut cactus shapes cut out of green construction paper, pink and white tissue paper for the flowers, stickers to jazz it up, google eyes so that our cactus friend could see and finally markers to create a big smile! As with every Tales for Tots program run by momstown,  Oakville kids had plenty of free play and to end our morning we read a very special story that celebrated the hot sunny days of summer called "Let It Rain" sponsored by our friends at Scholastic Canada.

Every month one lucky little one takes home a copy of the book we read and this month Cooper was our proud winner and could not wait to read it again with mom- congratulations Cooper!

Momstown's theme for August is birds!  Join us as we explore all things related to our feathered friends.  Sign up for your free momstown Oakville trial today - click here.

Cooking With Kids: No Bake Sand Cake Recipe

momstown Oakville has been exploring all things desert this month and so for our Junior Chef program, Oakville moms and kids made Sand Cake!  This recipe is a great, no bake treat that kids can almost do all themselves.

What You Need:

1 12-ounce box Vanilla Flavoured Wafers
1 8-ounce container Cool Whip
2 3-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
1 4-ounce package vanilla or chocolate instant pudding mix
1 1/2 cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

How To Assemble:

Make the "sand" by crushing the Nilla Wafers with a potato masher or in a food processor. Combine the Cool Whip, cream cheese, pudding mix, milk, and vanilla. Layer a fifth of the crumbs in the bottom of a large, clean sand pail. Top with a third of the pudding mixture, then a layer of crumbs. Continue layering, ending with crumbs. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes. Decorate with the candy shells, if desired.

Kids love getting in the kitchen and this month's group of momstown Oakville Junior Chefs were no different!   Join momstown Oakville to see what cooking events we have coming up - click here for your free trial.

momstown Oakville moms and kids visit the Oakville Farmers Market

momstown Oakville loves getting kids involved in cooking and preparing food.  This month we added a special Junior Chef event that included a trip to the Oakville Farmers Market where kids could be active participants in picking out fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables.

Some of the momstown Oakville crew ready to shop!

The Oakville Farmers Market is open on Thursdays from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM (last day is October 10th) and on Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM (last day is October 26th) at Oakville Place in the parking lot in front of Sears.  Our momstown Oakville group met at the market to do some shopping and then headed back to a members house who lived close by to enjoy a tasty snack of Farmers Market finds.

Shopping cart all loaded up with fresh fruit and vegetables

Yummy local blueberries

Homemade salsa anyone?

Cucumbers, zucchini, lettuce, potatoes - lots to choose from

It was great to see the kids excited to be at the market and to shop and participate in the food choices. Thanks to the Oakville Farmers Market for giving the momstown Oakville group a few pints of strawberries to enjoy!

Snacking on beans, peas and blueberries

 I know we'll be back again soon.  I'm looking forward to getting some Firestone peaches which should be coming in August, love making peach cobbler!

Enter to Win A My Little Pony Equestria Girls Doll!

Introducing My Little Pony Equestria Girls!  A magic mirror connects the world of My Little Pony to Canterlot High, where some things change, but true friendships remain magical! The mirror is a portal to a magical new land with high schools instead of castles, and where six pony friends become real girls with a love for fun and fashion. Rainbow Dash is sporty chic, Rarity shines with girly glamour, and Fluttershy dazzles in her own graceful style. Playful Pinkie Pie wears outfits fit for a party, while Twilight Sparkle shows off her smart style, and Applejack loves to look country chic.

Straight from the halls of Canterlot High, the My Little Pony Equestria Girls dolls are best friends with a flair for fashion and fun!  Each doll in the collection comes stylishly dressed in an ultra-chic look and features her signature ‘cutie splash,’ a unique design similar to the cutie marks on their pony alter egos.  Each doll sold separately.

Coming soon to DVD:  My Little Pony Equestria Girls movie on DVD August 6th at major retailers across Canada.

Keep checking the My Little Pony Equestria Girls website for upcoming information and fun activities.

HOW TO ENTER - Leave a comment about why you'd love to win and your email address.  One entry per email address. 

Contest rules:  

By entering this Contest, you acknowledge that you have read, understood and accept the terms and conditions below.

No purchase necessary. Contest closes August 6th, 2013 at 11:59pm EST. Open to residents of Canada (excluding Quebec), who are of legal age. Limit one submitted entry per person/email address. Odds of winning depend on the total number of eligible entries received online by the contest closing date.  One winner will be chosen randomly and contacted by August 10th, 2013.  Winner will not be able to select specific doll characters.

 © 2013 Hasbro. MY LITTLE PONY Equestria Girls is a registered trade-marks of Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

How To Make Your Own Food Colouring

momstown Oakville moms are extremely resourceful and I love all the information that gets shared between members.  A few weeks ago at our Busy Bag Swap, we got to talking about food colouring and one momstown Oakville member shared how she makes her own natural food colouring.  I thought this was brilliant and knew that there would be tons of moms that would love to have this information so I was inspired to write this blog post.

Early this year in March, we shared this great recipe for St. Patrick's Day spinach cupcakes in which the cupcakes were green due to the addition of puréed spinach!  Not only was this a wonderful example of natural food colouring but this treat also included a good dose of spinach and the kids didn't even notice.

Puréed Beets

Here are some tips to make your own natural food colouring.

Red/pink: Beets, cranberries or raspberries (fresh or frozen)

Yellow/orange: Carrots

Green: Pureed spinach

Blue: Blueberries (fresh or frozen)

Purple: Red cabbage

If you are concerned about the food changing the taste of a recipe too much, try covering the ingredient chopped or grated in a pot with just enough water to cover it. Boil for about 15 minutes. Drain and cool. This results in a mild colour and almost no residual flavour.  Because this is not a concentrated color, use this liquid in place of all liquid if you are using this for a frosting recipe.

For a more intense colour, juice or puree any of the above listed ingredients. This method will include some flavour of the pureed food although carrots and spinach don't seem to change the flavour all that much.  To compensate for the extra moisture being added with the coloured water or purees , reduce other wet ingredients slightly so that the recipe doesn't become too mushy or watery.  Use the natural food coloring within 1-2 weeks of making it as it will go bad.  Store the colors in a sealed container, in the fridge.

Top 5 Gardening Tips for Summer from Oakville's Heart's Content Gardens

Oakville's Heart's Content Gardens was featured on HGTV in the Summer of 2012. Owner, Lindsay McFadden, has a unique personal touch makes her stand out among other landscapers. She asks her clients the right questions and combines their ideas with her extensive knowledge and expertise to design gardens that fit their life.  She then hand picks and personally guarantees all of her plants to ensure those gardens stand the test of time.  Lindsay is a mom of two children and happens to be a momstown Oakville member!  I don't have much of a gardening flair but loved reading the weekly tips Lindsay gives on her Facebook page so I asked her to share some of her wisdom in a blog post.

Top 5 Gardening Tips For Summer

1. If you want a blooming garden all season go to the nursery every few weeks and buy a few things in bloom that catch your eye. This is a sure way to have colour through the season and makes gardening a fun adventure.

2. Buy annual flowers that haven't bloomed yet. Everyone goes for the ones with huge flowers right away but it is a sign that they are getting root bound often. Look for healthy leaves and remember to fertilize with 20-20-20 once a month.

3. Read the labels. Trees and shrubs are nice and small like puppies at the nursery and can throw the best gardeners off. Plants grow so make sure you plan to keep them trimmed if you want them in smaller spaces or plant them in an area that will suit them at maturity.

4. To have a "green thumb" all you need are the right plants for the right space and water. I have found the best trick is a sprinkler system set to 15 minutes every other day. Rain sensors are key! It is way better to water often with smaller amounts than blast the gardens when everything is wilting for hours. We've all done it!

5. If you look out your kitchen window into someone's living room you need to plant a tree. Look for the spots where you need that little bit of privacy. Choose trees with smaller canopies for along fence lines or move trees like maples forward and get some shade. Trees grow quickly so again read the labels!

Need some help with your landscaping and gardens?  Visit www.heartscontentgardens.ca or follow Lindsay on Facebook for weekly tips. Heart's Content Gardens serves clients in Oakville, Burlington, Mississauga, Milton and Toronto.

A Funny Thing Happened At The Grocery Store

As I was out and about doing errands and getting ready for a week at the cottage, I stopped in at a grocery store where I don’t normally shop, but fit in better with my route that day.  When I got to the checkout, the cashier asked me if I needed bags.  Turns out, I did.  Normally, the cashier counts the bags you need and hands them to you to pack your own groceries.  This time was different.

The cashier started bagging my groceries in the manner that used to be common practice.  She bagged them right after she scanned them, carefully taking the time to pack things well and maximize the bag space.  She bagged my berries in a produce bag, in case they were to open, and then added them to the grocery bag.

While this was going on, I was thinking two things:
1) This was taking forever!  I for sure could have done it faster, even if my method was just to chuck things into the bags or bins I brought.
2)  I felt awkward just standing there watching her do all this while I did nothing to help.

Upon further reflection, I realized that this was how grocery shopping used to be done all the time.  And I even remember there being a big of outrage amongst society when they took away the bagging/free plastic bags. But how quickly we've gotten used to adding things to our lives that continue to let us rush, full speed ahead. I actually have been stressed at the checkout because the cashier moves right into processing the groceries in the order behind you, leaving me scrambling to get my stuff bagged before the shopper behind me also wants to come to the end of the checkout and bag their items.  Or there is even a hold up in scanning because the cashier can just whip through customers now that they don’t stop to help bag the groceries.

And so yes, I also felt awkward.  So what did I do when faced with a situation where small talk seemed appropriate with a complete stranger?  Break out my smart phone of course!  I say this in jest, it’s not like I don’t ever make small talk with a customer service person, but the difference in this case was that the transaction was long!  We are so used to everything being rushed, being automated or having the option to do a self-checkout that this situation where the whole transaction took 20 minutes left me feeling awkward with not much to say and awkward that the cashier was doing all the work while I watched.

So which way is better?  Interestingly enough, if my kids would have been with me, having someone bag all of my groceries would have seemed like a huge help.  But when it was just me, I was more focused on finishing the errand so I could move on to the other three I still had to do.  And people don’t seem to value the relationships they have with their local stores like they used to…remember when everyone used to write personal cheques for groceries?  I remember my Grandma paying that way.

There certainly is no going back.  I don’t think we’ll ever have people bagging groceries all the time but I also didn't like the uncomfortable feeling I had when it came to having to slow down and get wait for someone to do what they considered part of their job.  Another quick reminder to slow down my pace and take a minute to talk to people who are happily lending a helping hand.