Before yesterday, my kids weren’t aware of a shopping experience that didn’t involve carts, departments and the option to purchase food; Winners, Zehrs or Target.

We’ve had a great run with our special boutiques and I like being able to find something to eat for dinner and wear while eating it in the same place.

But yesterday, I was looking for something different. I wanted to walk into a store and find a dress I could wear to an event.

A dress I haven’t already worn 38 times in front of the same 38 people with the same 38 red wine stains.

A dress I wouldn’t worry the lady in the juice aisle would also be wearing at the same event but in a slightly lighter, once washed shade of peach even though we bought them from the same rack on the same day.

From a store that had curtains and fancy hooks in the change room and a “the sky’s the limit” policy when it came to number of items permitted in the room at any given time.

A store I didn’t have to worry about my ice cream melting in the cart while I held an item up to my neck and thought, “Well, it seems to be big enough to cover my neck so I’ll take it.”

I told the girls we were going to look for a dress for Mommy in a new store we’ve never been to and I needed them to look but try not to touch anything.

The first thing Ellie asked was, “Is this a house?” I explained that just because the building was made of bricks and had an awning out front with a staircase at the back, didn’t necessarily make it a house.

“It’s a store,” I reminded them (again).

“It doesn’t look like a store. Where’s the big blue ‘W’ or the tires?” (Costco)

We opened the door by turning a knob (it wasn’t automatic) this was blowing their minds.

Chloe said, “I’ll go and look at the toy section.”

“This is a store for Mommies Chloe, there is no toy section.”

Ellie extended a hand and said, “I’ll take her to look at the kid’s clothes Mom, don’t worry.”

There are no kid’s clothes. This house carries Mommy clothes, specifically Mommy dresses.

The owner of the store came over and asked if she could help with anything.

Chloe: Do you know her Mommy?

“No, she’s here to help.”

The girls looked at each other in utter confusion. Since when do we need help? Why is Mommy talking to that stranger?

The kind woman offered to show the kids some toys.

Chloe: See, I told you there were toys.

There was in fact a small table with a few toys for kids to play with while their parents browsed. My kids stood, staring at them knowing at Winners they weren’t allowed to just pick things up and start playing unless they were paid for. Another kid came along and picked up a train. Chloe covered her mouth with both hands, “He’s going to be in trouble.”

This is not going the way I had planned.