Mardi Gras at Wegmans

Have I mentioned lately how much I love Wegmans? This morning Stephen and Matthew were begging to go there; they love it as much as I do. I needed to pick up some groceries anyway, so I agreed.

Our first stop at Wegmans, as always, was the playroom where we were greeted by Miss Dee. She's one of our favorite child care workers, a statuesque woman with a crown of intricate braids. We've missed her the past few times we've visited.

Miss Dee greeted the boys warmly. She put paper bracelets on their wrists while I signed them in. She fastened a matching bracelet around my wrist and handed me a pager. Miss Dee then ushered them through the half door. I watched through the window as Stephen went to the computer and Matthew sat down at the art table. Then I headed for the food court.

Today the store was decorated in a Mardi Gras theme. Balloons floated everywhere. Feathered and sequined masks hung from the walls, and colorful beads dangled from the shelves. The store employees wore strands of beads, too.

At the food court, signs advertised New Orleans fare: crayfish etouffée, jambalaya, gumbo. The coffee shop was offering beignets and praline coffee as Mardi Gras specials. I ordered a cup of the coffee, resisted the beignets, and went upstairs to read and relax.

New Orleans jazz music was playing on the loudspeakers. I'm not a jazz fan but the music was pleasant enough. I sat sipping my coffee slowly and enjoying the momentary respite from motherhood. Wegmans is full of little touches that enhance the experience, such as paper napkins on every table, for example. Full sized paper napkins, no less, not the tiny, cheap ones. I love the tasteful arrangements of miniature silk sunflowers on each table, too.

I lingered upstairs for nearly an hour, then I went shopping. My grocery list was short, and soon I was back at the playroom to pick up the boys. Miss Dee told me that Miss Ruth, another one of our favorite childcare workers, had left word that we should visit her at the back of the store before leaving. With Stephen and Matthew in the cart, I went in search of Miss Ruth and found her blowing up more balloons for decorations. She wanted to give the boys a balloon each.

"I love your beads," Stephen said, pointing to the purple Mardi Gras strand she was wearing.

"That reminds me...wait a second." She went into a back room and returned with a small necklace of yellow beads for each of the boys. Matthew and Stephen were thrilled.

"They're safe; they break apart if you pull on them," she told me, demonstrating.

We thanked her and told her we'd see her next week.

I usually leave Wegmans feeling relaxed and happy, and today was no exception. Grocery shopping, which used to be a stressful experience, is now something to which I look forward each week.

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