Target Friday

When we were younger, my grandfather would often take my sister and I out to do things.  Out to breakfast at the nearest donut shop, where his coffee would be spilled on my stuffed dog, and cause him to have a "spa day" when we got home.  Trips to a near by park, where we filled duck's tummies with stale bread.  No matter where where we ended up, my sister and I absolutely cherished these days...looked forward to them almost as much as Christmas!!    We felt "older".  That's all most children ever tends to want to be, "Old Enough".  Old enough to do the fun stuff.  To feel like they are just as important as the adults. 

My favorite place though?  Barnes and Noble.  These memories stand out the most in my mind.  We'd always start it off in the cafe. (Yes, Barnes and Noble Cafe... Not Starbucks.  Man, do I feel old!)  We'd take our hot chocolate over to their little bar, and shake every powdered spice on the whipped cream. A little chocolate powder.  A dash of vanilla.  Some nutmeg.  And of course, the cinnamon.  Then we were off to find a little table where we could sit and converse for a while. Whatever we felt like talking about.  Have questions about witches?  Wish Balto was really your puppy?  Concerned over the hard times your favorite book character was going through?  Nothing was off the table.  Absolutely nothing.  Once we were done with our drinks, we were off to find books.  This was our time.  As long as we stayed together, we were allowed to look at books by ourselves, while he went over a few aisles to look at his.  My sister and I felt very special.  Like we were adults.  These outings shaped our childhoods.  And trust me when I say they were shaped in the very best of ways.  My grandpa is very smart, and he knew what he was doing! That's for sure!  =)

I look at my children, and I know I want special memories for them too!  Traditions they will look back
on, and think "that was awesome, wasn't it?".  For some, it's "Family Game Night".  Others go out to dinner the same night every week.  Or maybe you're a "Family Movie Nighter".  For us, its "Target Fridays".  Target Fridays are definitely my current favorite.

Every Friday we go to Target.  The same Target.  Every Friday. Rain or Shine, it doesn't matter.  The staff in the Starbucks know my kids (yes, now it is Starbucks), and make them feel special.  The boys hand them their chocolate milk, and wait patiently to have it scanned.  Atticus' favorite spot is the big window where he points out cars as they pass by.  "RED! ANOTHER ONE!  THAT ONE'S BIG! MOMMY, A TRUCK!!!"  We love watching cars, and laughing at kids passing by.  Once Luke and I receive our drink its cookie time! The baker usually sees Atticus coming, and has cookies ready for him.  She waits patiently until Atticus asks for his cookie, and always finds it cute when he reminds her that he needs one for "his baby" too.  While the kids are munching, and slurping Luke and I get our grocery shopping done.   When the kids are out of their snacks, we stop by the deli.  The lady here also knows us and our kids, and always makes sure to leave a couple slices out of the bag for the kids to munch on.  We finish our last minute, forgotten groceries and head to the kids clothes, and toy aisles.  Let me say first, that my kids do not get a "reward" every time we go out to the store during the week.  But Fridays, Fridays are special.  Fridays they are allowed to get something.  Sometimes its new shoes.  Sometimes its a new hat.  And sometimes its a new toy.  But Fridays they are allowed to get something SMALL.  Because Friday's are special for us.  Not to mention, this also tends to create some good brother bonding when we get home.  They are both so excited about playing with their new car, or playing outside so they can wear their new hat/shoes that they tend to spend the afternoon playing together.

Fridays are a win/win for everyone.  Our routine makes grocery shopping usually go relatively stress free, and they create memories that we will all hold on to. The consistency also allows my children to know what they can expect, and creates an environment where my husband and I can catch up.  And we have some time carved out every week that we know we'll be able to spend as a family.

And I love our family. =)