Aldi, how we love you.

Aldi is a local grocery store out here that is simple, has low-prices, and we love it. In order to use a cart, you need to insert a quarter in which you will then get your quarter back when you return it (pretty smart idea, if you ask me--no one ever has to collect carts from the parking lot or if they do, they get to make a little tip).

Quick story: We lived near a Aldi when I was growing up in Ohio and whenever we passed the store and there were carts left in the parking lot, we would beg my mom to stop so we could put the carts away and collect the quarters.

Well, one day at Aldi, we walked up to the carts and found that someone left their quarter in there (either on purpose or accident) and it made my day! I have always had a huge love for quarters! :) Well, anyways, after our shopping experience, I decided (hard decision but worth this :)) to leave the same quarter in to make someone else's day. While Bryce was getting Brycen in his carseat, I was watching the carts; I wanted to see someone's reaction. Well, an Asian guy walked up to the cart and tried to insert his coin and when it wouldn't go in, he gave up frustrated and went to the next row of carts. haha. Well, it wasn't quite the reaction I was looking for but it will do.

We must be one of Aldi's favorite customers. Not only do we do all our major grocery shopping there weekly, but they have special buys each week for non-food items for things around the house and we love their quality so we usually buy a few. In the past, we have bought pillows, rain boots, sweaters, TV cabinet, coffee table, and kitchen utensils to name a few. Well, this week they stocked up on toys for the holidays and we purchased three toys for Brycen: now, for Christmas, and his birthday. We love their prices and quality. They double guarantee their quality (which is usually their own brand) and if for any reason you don't like it, you can return it, even if you already ate some. We love almost everything there except some Popsicles we bought once and thought they were d-e-gusting. The nice thing about having their own brand, we didn't even need a receipt.

This was his for-now present. I am always looking for toys that will help keep him entertained all day long and since he LOVES emptying out and destroying my kitchen, I wondered what he would do with one his own size.

I had no idea it came in pieces though.

Haha. Cut out, stickers, and all. But it sure made me appreciate it more since not only did I help put it together, I got to see how it all worked. Pretty creative ideas people have for these kids.

We did it while the little man was sleeping so when he woke up, he was surprised and loved it. Ran right over to the phone, dialed a number and said, "ello?" It actually kept him entertained for awhile this morning while we got ready for church. It's so nice to have something he can independently play with and be able to reach everything. He has already dumped everything out and organized it the way HE wanted.

The stove burners light up and make bubbling and sizzling noises and he even has a dishwasher. I wish I could say the same for my kitchen. One day though, meanwhile, the hubby will work just fine. :)