Four short stories

The shopping sprees

Part 1

We, my wife and I, took our three young granddaughters , Della,Zoe and Lucy, shopping before at the dollar store. Our thinking was that they can pick out their own toys and save us the uncertainty of buying the right gift for each of them. 

Carole gave each girl five dollars to spend  which we thought was adequate for their tastes. They could buy more than one gift each; they had five dollars after all.

They could shop the children’s isle for as long as was needed.

We told the three musketeers that we would be browsing  different isles and would meet them at the cash register.

They were waiting at the cash register for us. We were stunned somewhat since they had nothing in their hands but their five bills, which they  handed back to grandma.

Della, the quiet one,  casually remarked that they only had cheap toys for kids!

A team effort

Part 2

There came a time when we ruled out taking the three granddaughters to the dollar store for ever more.

Grandma suggested the book store for our next shopping spree; specifically Barnes and Noble booksellers.

I sat in the food court  reading magazines while Carole took her three charges shopping for one book each at the cost  of 5-6 dollars.

Being a retired teacher she thought they would have  to learns about the nickels  and dimes. Let’s not forget the quarters and Pennies.  After all they knew their whole numbers.

They dropped their books on my table while I was reading and drinking coffee. 

Della, the quiet one, asked if they could have hot chocolate later since  grandma is letting them buy another book.  I said yes.

I looked at the price label on her book and saw $10.99.  Before I could ask about the cost, Della said, with a smile,she can read word books now!

Zoe quickly mentioned that “we’re buying another book since I told grandma I like different books not just one type  to read!”

When they finally returned and sat at the table  with me Della , the quiet one, asked if they could they could go with me to get their drinks and their snacks. “Snacks?” I questioned. “ I am hungry”   Lucy remarked. 

“ What’s with the toys” I asked.

“Lucy can’t read story books yet. Right lucy?” Carole casually mentioned. “I read picture books faster than Della and Zoe read their books, so grandma said we  can also get a toy if we wanted one,”

“By the way hon, you can pay for the books and toys when you buy them their drinks and 

snacks, “ assured my bride. “ Make sure they each get a book bag to carry their purchases in ,” she concluded.

Another team effort.

The Mark

There came a time, the same day we went to Barnes and Noble, when I asked the three granddaughters, Lucy, Zoe an Della,where they would like to shop next. The response was immediate , “ Michaels!”

I asked them how they knew about the store and Lucy said, “ it’s near the bookstore.”

When we were walking to the store, Della, the quiet one, asked , “ how much can we spend?” My response was “ 6 dollars!”

We, Carole and myself, let them browse through the store on their  own, while we watched  them from the center isle.

Lucy showed me a box of crayons and asked how much. I told her it was 8 dollars. She returned the crayons to its shelf.

Then Della asked about a drawing set but it was 10 dollars.

Zoe hunted me down to show me a solar powered car for 15 dollars. She would build it ,test it and do a show and tell in her classroom!

I said ok.  

I told Zoe to tell her sisters they can also have 15 dollars.. “ They know, they  have a place on line for  us with grandma,” she said.

When Zoe and I got on line, Della and Lucy said, with big grins, “thank you for the school paper too, grandpa.”

At the register, grandma told the girls , one at a time,to have their choices rung up and grandpa will pay for  her flowers also!

Another coordinated  team effort! 

A broken rule

There was a day when we( my wife and I ) took our three granddaughters to a small amusement park on Long Island, New York . It was called  Adventureland.

I felt confident I could handle any fun ride with any one of my grammar school age granddaughters; moreover it was an amusement park for young people .

When we entered the park, the only rides I saw were for real small children;those around grade k kids! I felt good and told myself “ I can do this.”

Grandma Carole was the match maker, pairing me with our youngest granddaughter, Lucy.

The twins , Della and Zoe, was judged capable of picking their own rides . I was elated at my bride’s pronouncement.

After lunch it was determined by my wife, Hawkeye , and the twins  could ride on the medium sized roller coaster in the park. They were fearless, for goodness sake!

With sweaty palms , I made it clear that I didn’t do dangerous rides as a rule.

I volunteered to take my partner on a ride I remembered it being called  the octopus( as a young thrill seeker, I rode on that type of machine which I did not enjoy in the least)!

What the heck,I acknowledged I was an adult  now and probably could handle it. 

After We watched Della and Zoe on the  coaster , Lucy and I went on the “octopus.”

At the conclusion of the ride, my youngest granddaughter said “ grandpa you can open your eyes now and unbuckle your seat belt,the ride ended a little while ago!”

Not only did I break my rule of not going on a fun ride that was a threat to my well being,  but I realized that all three of my granddaughters were fearless!

PS Not once had  my bride gone on any “significant” amusement park ride, except on a Ferris wheel with me before we married.

In her defense, all I can say is that she was fearless on the ski slopes!