Shopping and Starbucks

Bad had a doctor's appointment yesterday, so after dropping the Princess off at school I strapped him in the car and drove to the city. We moved up here more than 3 years ago, but I've never bothered changing doctors. I like ours so much I think it's worth the 45 min drive. We usually make a day of it - go for lunch, do some shopping. The budget is a little tight these days, so we met my sister and nephew at Chapters. I had a gift card from Christmas to spend, and since they have a train-set in the Children's section and an on-site Starbucks, it's a fabulous place to while away a couple hours.

When we lived in the city I was a Starbucks girl. That was the coffee shop nearest school and work, and that was where I went, despite Hubs constant moaning over their prices. Since moving north, I've found myself without a convenient location, and have become a Tim Horton's drive-thru girl. I realized it had become an excessive habit when the Princess, age 2, piped up from the backseat one day as we were driving down the highway, "Mommy? Can you please roll down your window and get me a timbit?" (For those of you in Timmy's free zones, a timbit is a mini donut) The coffee is good, but yesterday, sipping my Starbuck's tall skinny latte, in a big leather chair in front of a roaring fire, I realized how much part of me still misses fancy coffee and city life. It was wonderful. It was partly the company that made it great, and since my beautiful nephew is still not crawling, my sister was free to help me chase Bad all around the store!

Here's what we bought:

This is an illustrated version of the classic poem by Robert Service. The illustrations are by Ted Harrison, and are gorgeous. It's a bit ahead of where my kids are now, but we already have an out of control collection of board books and storybooks for little ones, so I think a book to grow into was a better choice. My dad used to read this poem to us all the time, and when I saw this book on display I knew immediately I was going to buy it. Now I just have to get the kids and the book to my dad, so that he can read it to them. I've got the rhythm and cadence right, but he is a raconteur of the highest order, and I can't mimic the humour he injects into his delivery, or the wonderful timbre of his voice. And it's his voice that I want them to hear when they read this to themselves later, just like I do.

I also bought this:

to give to the kids for Valentine's day. It's a very sweet story. And, if anyone out there is looking for an inexpensive gift for the Princess, or any other equally royal little girl, I bought this for the Princess to take to a birthday party this weekend. She loves it, and is very distressed that it isn't for her!
I love a successful shopping trip. Now if only I could get another latte.....