Let's go Krogering!

I like having someone, even an almost 13-month-old someone, along for the ride when it comes to running errands. It helps that Cate has fun with whatever she's doing and wherever she's going.

The grocery store seems to be among her favorite stops. She likes to look at everything, babbling and pointing as we walk down the aisles. She makes friends with whoever we pass, especially other little kids and the older women who love on her with their sweet words.

And we have little games we play at Kroger. Sometimes I count -- "one, two, three ..." -- and then walk really fast down the aisle. Other times I sing "Peanut, peanut butter, JELLY!" (The condiment aisle always prompts that song.)

The baggers love her too. She always tries to reach out and help them. She follows them, first as they put things in bags and then as they put the bag in the back of the cart. One bagger's name is Diego and he's all about talking to her. One time he even told her about Dora, even though Cate is too young to have any idea what he's talking about.

It's these little moments of motherhood that I cherish. And, to be honest, these moments are unexpected pleasures because I had no idea Kroger could be so much fun.