Sometimes Ben will accompany us – or more accurately, we’ll try to keep up as he lopes through the store – into Whole Foods for “a treat.” But more often, we’ll drop Karen off and go get gas for the car and come back to get her with goody in hand.
But not yesterday. As Karen describes…
“As I got out, Ben sprung out of the car too. [I parked the car as quickly as I could – Dave] He was determined to shop for his own snacks. [Karen decided at this point to let him choose, unrestricted, everything he wanted, something we’ve never done before, just to see what it would be – Dave] He barreled through the crowded store full of pre-Super Bowl shoppers, side-swiping a couple groups of people while I pushed a cart and tried to keep up with him, apologizing as I went. [Sometimes being in crowds with Ben makes me think of a bowling ball and bowling pins – Dave] Ben made a beeline for the bakery. He started with the self-serve section. My goal was to have him bag his choices and then put them in a cart rather than eat everything on the spot. One of Ben’s ‘rules’ is that he wants to buy everything in a category.
His first choice was Snickerdoodle cookies. There were eight on the shelf and all went into a bag. Next, in went the large cinnamon rolls, and thank goodness there were only three. On to the pastry counter — luckily, not self-serve. I told Ben he could pick one cupcake and he pointed out his choice. Next, a box of six donuts.”
Then came the cake. That’s it in the picture. I’d caught up by then, and I had no idea what the heck it was, the bizarre colorings looking like something you’d see after a good rain and discarded on the side of the road. “No Ben, that’s too big. Let’s look at something else.” (And he already had plenty of “something else.”) Nope. No way. He wanted this “King Cake,” and we found out it was for Mardi Gras, hence the various shades. We’ve also been warned that a plastic baby lurks inside. Ben should find that interesting. We hope it’s detected before it’s consumed (Ben doesn’t need plastic roughage).
So we headed for the cash register victorious and with a win-win. Ben got to pick everything he wanted (his win), and he only ate some of it by the time we got him home (our win?). Actually, it’s a win-win-win, since everyone in his house – staff and clients – are welcome to share in the bounty — or at least what’s left. He did eat all three cinnamon rolls right away (one while Karen paid, the other two in the car), and most of the Snickerdoodles, though he did give up a few to save for later – but very, VERY reluctantly.
And the total cost for his all-sweets splurge: $32. Ben would call that money well-spent.
