Christmas Shopping has started.

Around this time last year I jumped onto Amazon and ordered a number of Christmas and Birthday (my oldest’s birthday is on December 3) presents for the kids. I mainly looked for things that I can’t get over here (Australia), or stuff that is way more expensive when buying local. I know that it affects the economy by buying online, but the mark up that local stores put on some items (not to mention the GST) and strong Australian dollar it makes it hard to justify. 

I bought the kids NBA jersey’s (starting from $3.99 US), Baseball’s and Gloves, Sonic the Hedgehog plushes, Club Penguin books and Lego t-shirts. The trouble is, one of the boxes got caught up in customs… I think the baseball gloves were quarantined due to the leather :|. That box had other items in it for my son’s birthday and it wasn’t delivered until after his birthday.

This year I put my first order in on the 4th of October and today I received my first package (5 days later)… awesome (It’s for 3AM Mum, so I won’t tell you what it is ;)). Now the hardest thing is finding hiding spots ;). 

I am a massive fan of shopping, online and other, but there is always a risk when shopping online… do you have stories about shopping online? What is on your kids wish list at the moment?

We have a few on the list already - 

• Guitar picks and stand
• Skylander Giants (EB Games is taking preorders on characters ;))
• Lalaloopsy
• Monsuno

What was the most embarrassing thing your partner has asked you to buy?

After a number of years in a committed and loving relationship, I have bought a number of things for my wife, that wouldn’t be “typical” for a man to purchase. I have gone out and bought the tampons, pads, prescriptions, panty liners, make up, under garments etc. and have never been flustered. Until recently thought that I was immune to the embarrassment of purchasing something for the opposite sex.

A few weeks ago we had a fancy dress event, the theme was World War 2 and 3AM Mum was going to go as a War Housewife. My wife borrowed an outfit off a friend, but still needed a few things. 

If you have been reading this blog for a while, you have realised that I am not your typical man. I like baking and having coffee with the girls, I’m known for having a good cry and yes, I really enjoy shopping. When the wife handed me the list of items she required for her outfit, I thought… sweet, a day of girly shopping.

A mate of mine happened to be off work the day I was planning on going shopping, he SMS’d me the night before “What are you up too tomorrow mate, I’m off work?”

“I’m going shopping for shoes, lipstick and blush for the wife.” Thinking he would respond with “Good luck with that”. Instead he responded -

“You’ll have time to grab a coffee too yeah? I’ll tag along after school drop off.”

I was surprised, didn’t think it was up his alley. The next day I picked him up and off we went with Yve for a day’s shopping.

We had varying “looks” going into every shoe shop in Harbour Town (at least a dozen), nothing was suitable and my mate’s patience was beginning to wane.

We left the first shopping centre with nothing, so we hit another.

We found the shoes at the first store, phew, it was a tough first 3 hours. Lipstick, Liquid Eye-liner and Blush soon followed. I felt pretty good about things now.

There was only 2 things left on the list… the first “Old School Feather Duster”. I had done my research by asking the lovely ladies on The Imperfect Mum on Facebook “Where can I get an Old School Feather Duster?”. The most popular response was “A $2 shop”… and they were right. I even bought 2 different styles for a total of $4.

The final item… :s. I had let my eyes wander down the list a couple times and quickly looked away. The item was Chicken Fillets aka Boob Builders aka Fun-bag Fillers aka Silicone Bra Inserts. As mentioned previously, I have never been embarrassed/worried about buying anything for my wife. For some reason, these were a problem. I think this was because, I had to ask a staff member about them, I couldn’t just go up and pick them off a shelf, mix them in with the carrots, canned tomatoes and frozen peas.

As I approached “Bras and Things”, I asked my mate “Do you want to stay out here with Yve while I go in and get them?” He responded “Hell no, I gotta see this.”

I stepped into the store and made my way through the lacy bras and panties, straight to the counter. I asked the lady, “I need some chicken fillets for my wife.” she responded, “No worries, over here.” As I went through the various sizes and shapes and discussed each with the staff member, I relaxed… it wasn’t that bad. I made my purchase and it was over. Wasn’t too bad after all.

Play Date

I had a very cute conversation with my oldest son yesterday, that reminded me of a play date he had recently.

One of Jaec’s best friends is a young lady called Taylah. Tay, has a great little personality and is a great friend to Jaec. About 2 months ago or so, Jaec wanted to have Tay over for a play date. He said “We can go shopping, I think Taylah would like to go shopping”. We invited Taylah shopping.

Rewind 2 months

One of my favorite things I like doing is listening to the kids conversations and when you through another child into the conversation (and a female at that), it makes it even more interesting. I was driving the kids to the local shopping centre (mall) and a conversation started on hair colour. Taylah noticed that all our kids had different coloured hair.

“Yve has Blonde hair, you have Dark hair Jaec and Kaine’s is in between”. Tay remarked.

“Yeah, and Mum has all the colours” Jaec responded. Mel has a bit of a multi tone thing happening. :D

During the play date, Tay went into every second shop, and took her time. I had to explain to Jaec, that ladies like to take their time shopping and like to look at lots of things. Jaec wasn’t too happy about that.

We dropped Tay home and I discussed it further… he understood, but wasn’t too happy about it. “Next time I think we will do something else”.

Fast forward back to present day

Jaec pulled me aside “I’d like to have another play date with Tay. I am OK if she wants to go shopping, I know that she will look at more stuff and will buy more stuff than me.” he said.

I’m pretty sure he just wants to buy the latest Ninjago Lego, but he is willing to endure the torture of a days shopping with a lady to get it ;)

Shopping tip

I have stumbled onto a great way to not lose your groceries in the boot of your car. We have all been there… you place your bags in your boot and try to push them into the corner, hoping that they won’t move in the short trip home. When you get home and open the boot, there is nothing in the corner, except a couple of empty bags. Your bottles of diet lemonade and evian have rolled to the opposite end of the boot and your bread is squashed up against the side by the baked beans and laundry liquid that were in 3 different bags.

I was on my way to the Sports Camry after a medium size shop (the worst, as a little one can sit on the passenger seat and the larger has less of a chance to move in the boot). I popped it and looked inside… initially I was a little pissed at myself as I had left the boys scooters in there from the weekend. Then I realised it was a god send, as I strategically placed bags in between the gaps of the scattered scooters.

I traveled home with a new found confidence, not worried if taking the upcoming round-a-bout at 45km/h would scramble my eggs. I arrived home a short time later to this.

Pretty good if you ask me.

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