A Reward

Some might say that my love of Trader Joe's borders on obsession.  I have to agree.  I love their products; but, more importantly, my kids love when we shop there.  Happy Kids= Happy Mom.  Aside from their obvious enjoyment of the tasting area, they love the perpetual hide and seek game with Mr. Bananas.  For those of you who don't know, Mr. Bananas is a stuffed monkey dressed in khaki pants and a Hawaiian shirt.  The employees have created a "Missing" poster for him and encourage the children to search for him throughout the store.  The reward when they find him is an organic lollipop.  With such a reward in the balance, it should surprise no one that Alice has become very adept at finding the missing monkey.  Last time we went shopping I was particularly impressed with her abilities.  She found him in the rafters of a straw hut which houses the plants for sale.  I have to admit that I would not never found him in such a location.

We went to get her reward from the store manager, and Alice took out a second lollipop.  I told her that the manager already gave one to Angela.

"I know Mommy," Alice informed me.  "I wanted to get one for Daddy.  He has been a good boy."

I had to giggle a little bit at that one.  She handed the lollipop to me for safekeeping until John came home.

I think he was thrilled with his treat.  It is always nice to know that one rates highly enough to earn a lollipop.