Publix

Let me tell you about why I love Publix.

1. The employees are sooo nice. It's not like they are just polite- they seem happy to be working there. One time Giovanni and I were done shopping and about to go out into the rain with our purchases. A Publix employee ran out with an umbrella and said "Hey- let me walk you out! And then he held the umbrella over me while I put Giovanni into his car seat and the groceries into the trunk. Nice.

2. Space ships. They have carts for kids that are a space ship for kids to drive. Giovanni loves it.

3. Really good bread and produce. I guess that's pretty self explanatory.

4. Samples. They have really good samples on a regular basis. If you happen to be there around 5, they are always cooking up an example meal. They have all the ingredients for that meal gathered right there, so if you need to come up with something quick and healthy for dinner, you can just grab it all in one place and go. Which lead me to:

5. Recipe cards for dinner. They have good ideas for whole meals that you can collect and put in their own nifty recipe books. (I don't do this, but I've heard other people that do really appreciate their system).

6. Baby club. They have a free baby club where they send you a how to raise your baby book and coupons every month. Sometimes the coupons are useful, sometimes not, but it's free so it's worth it for the times you need it.

7. Also, they double coupons and take competitors' coupons, so although they are more expensive, you can make it reasonable. And if you're really smart and diligent (which I am not), it can be a cheap as anywhere.

8. Free balloons! They give free balloons to kids, which Giovanni REALLY loves. We brought one home and he wanted to hold it the whole time he was eating lunch. He accidentally let it go, and it flew to the ceiling. I thought he would get upset, but he thought it was funny. For the rest of the day, he wanted to let it go and then for me to lift it up so he could grab the string and pull it down again.