We stopped at the deli counter and Preston picked out some “noo-noos” (noodles) and put them in his basket, and in the dairy isle he wanted to take home every package of mozzarella cheese; I made him put all but one back on the shelf. He also helped pick out a cod fish filet since it was right at his level.
Once we were done shopping I told him it was time to check out, but by this time the basket was too heavy for just him to carry, so we each took a handle. At some point he saw another kid in a “too-too” shopping cart, and he wanted to join them. I told him “next time,” and that we needed to go home to feed Jacky.
At self-checkout I put the basket on the machine and showed Preston how you have to scan the box (listen for the beep) and then put it in the bag. After 2 or 3 times he was a pro. The employee at the self-check lane thought it was so cute; she invited her coworker over to observe.
After everything was scanned, I let Preston slide the credit card through the machine. At first he had it the wrong way, but after a quick correction he did manage to swipe the card. It won’t be long until he is going to want a card of his own.
Preston then ran over to the coin drop - a funnel shaped contraption that you drop a coin in, and it spins and spins around until it’s going so fast towards the middle, then drops in a bucket. It’s tradition now to put a coin in it, so I gave him one, but he wanted “again”. I was out of coinage, so he was sad we couldn’t do it again.
We left the store and held hands going to the car, then he managed to climb into his car seat all by himself, and I buckled him in to go home.
It was a fun night with Preston, he is a great helper!