(More than) Fourinarow.net

Recently, a new Super Target opened up near my house.  It’s just 2.8 miles away, door-to-door.

We’ve been looking for a good place to shop for the groceries we can’t get at Costco.  The regular grocery stores here are VERY expensive and when you’re feeding six, well, you need a Super Wal-Mart or a Super Target.  Surprisingly (to us backwooders, anyway) there are no Super Wal-Mart stores around here.  There are regular, cramped, crappy, old-style Wal-Mart stores, but not the newer, big ones with lots of groceries that we’re used to.  I assume it’s due to the strong unions up here, but what do I know?

Anyhow, I LOVE our new Super Target.  The only disadvantage is that it’s over the county line, which means higher taxes. But, I figure I’m saving enough by going there to make up for it, right?  Right?  Well, maybe.

We first went when the store opened a few weeks ago.  We went after school, so I had all four kids with me.  We grabbed one of those gigantic carts that holds several children and after some squabbling about who was going to sit where, we headed into the store… smoothly.  The brand new cart was so smooth!  It glided down the aisles.  Now, that might not sound like a big deal to you, but I’m the one you’re always looking over your should at in the store – the one that always gets the crappy cart.  You know, the one that has one stuck wheel that makes it difficult to push and turn and clunks annoyingly and loudly throughout the store.

We ooohhhhhhed and aaaahhhhhed as we walked along.  The aisles were so bright and wide and everything was displayed so temptingly.  It was new!  It was clean!  It was HUGE!

As we headed over to the grocery section, we discovered that the store is “green,” too.  The frozen food coolers light up only when you’re in front of them.  Jack and Maria immediately caught onto this ,and as they were the the least restrained they immediately hopped up and ran down the aisles, the lights coming on as they zoomed past.  Normally I don’t approve of my kids running through the store, but I had to admit that it was pretty cool.  It was as if a runway was lighting up as a plane rolled down it.

We finished our shopping (buying way more than we came in for) and I bought the kids a bag of popcorn while I indulged in a latte from the in-store Starbuck’s.  Now, normally I’m not a huge fan of The Evil Empire.  I like to support the little guy.  But, whoever had the idea of combining Target with Starbuck’s was a genius.  Or, more likely, a mom.  One who never had a chance to get a nice cup of coffee at a coffee shop since she always had her crazy kids in tow.

I think I’ve been back most days since our first foray into the new Target.  I go there to browse.  Or to buy.  Or to kill time.  Just the cart gliding effortlessly along the wide aisles puts me in a good mood.  All the kids know how to get there and as soon as we see the sign, Sam yells “There’s the Super Target!!!” excitedly.

The other day I told the kids they could each pick something from the Dollar Spot just inside the door at Target.  After MUCH deliberation, Maria picked a butterfly magnifying glass, Lukie chose a twirling, flying toy and Sam picked an air dart gun.  That was the best $3 I’ve spent in a long time.  The kids were entertained for the rest of the afternoon and most of the next day.  By far, though, Sam’s toy was the biggest hit.  Do you know how far one of those foam darts will shoot?

So… we went back a couple of days later so everyone could have their own.

Locked and Loaded

(Maria has one, too, she just declined to be photographed for this event.)

Well, gotta go.  I’m sure the checkers at Super Target are wondering where I am today…