IKEA VORTEX

Yesterday we went on an afternoon excursion to IKEA.

I must say, I really like that store.

Unfortunately, there is something called the IKEA Vortex:
* Usually, I end up buying things that aren't on my list.
* I end up NOT getting the things that are on my list (Yesterday, it was because the intended purchase items were out of stock).
* I end up spending more than intended (Yesterday, suprisingly, it was the opposite: we had planned on buying a piece of furniniture as well, but we couldn't make up our mind, so our overal purchases were much cheaper!)
* I usually get some amazing deals on necessities. (Yesterday we replenished our soup-bowls. They were diminishing due to breakage with kid-handling).

We also went for the full-experience: we ate dinner at the IKEA RESTAURANT. (Quite reasonalbe! Where else can you get kids MacNChees & Drink for only $0.99? )

We had dissappointed children who were not able to use the play zone (because it was closed).

We had antsy children who wanted to try every piece of furninture in the showroom.

Has anyone else had IKEA VORTEX experiences?

Shopping Adventures

Today we went on a Shopping Adventure.

Part 1 of today's adventure involved filling two super-sized shopping carts at our favorite wholesale warehouse. This trip was not only to restock our pantry with necessities and groceries, but also to have a fun family excursion. Although it wasn't cheap, it was productive! Now, we are stocked-up on many things including toilet paper, cereals, carrots and shampoo! The nice thing about heavy-duty shopping is that it should keep items off of the shopping list for weeks to come!

Part 2 of today's adventure involved returning Christmas-gift clothing to a nearby department store, and getting exercise by walking the mall 'loop'. I must say, we were quite appreciative of gift receipts: 5 out of the 6 items we attempted to return had them. The sixth item, lacked a gift receipt, and, the clerk said he could only give us one cent for the item. (I want to know where the rack in the store was which had 1 cent merchandise???) Needless to say, we didn't exchange that last item.

Part 2 wouldn't have been possible without the double-umbrella stroller: Our toddler took a nice after-lunch nap, and our infant joined her after a good snack.

I thoroughly enjoyed the outing. It was productive, and enjoyable. It's been quite some time since we've done it. It was nice to get exercise in the warm indoors. I look forward to doing it again sometime. (Although I won't be surprised if it isn't summer when we're all able to do it together again....)