Sofa Shopping

So, we had to go through another round of furniture shopping with the boys. We dreaded doing this but it had to be done. I surfed the net and found the one I liked, problem was that I couldn't buy it online and the store was an hour south of here. Darn it! We packed up the kids Saturday morning and headed out with our mapquest directions. We were back on the devil's highway. It really isn't so bad as long as you don't need to make a turn or see something on the opposite side of the road that you might be interested in.
The plan was for James and the boys to stay in the car while I scoped out the furniture. I walked into this huge furniture store and headed toward the sofas. Surprisingly I wasn't attacked by the piranha salespeople. I found a salesperson and told him that I could use his help since he looked rather bored. (Literally, he did. He was leaning against a chair inspecting his fingernails. They were rather nasty, bitten and ragged.) Not sure why I chose the obvious slacker but he ended up being quite helpful. Slow, but helpful and quite honest. We headed to the desired sofa and I decided that I liked it and wanted it in red. (Sounds sleazy but it looks really good.) He suggested that I try out the next sofa since the first one was a cheap model used to attract people into the store. (See, honest.) I actually preferred the second sofa and decided to go with it. I then told him I was interested in seeing an entertainment unit as well as some bar stools.
Here's where the slow part comes in. He lead me haphazardly through the store and showed me random entertainment units. I tried explaining the style that I was looking for but he didn't appear to get the picture. Next we headed to the stools and he tried to convince me I needed the taller height. I knew the shorter height was what I needed since we were using them at our kitchen counter.
Meanwhile, James is in the car with the boys. We brought along our video collection to help entertain them. He also headed to Dunkin Donuts for some coffee during my search.
I decided that I had seen enough and it was time to bring in the family. I dreaded this moment but I really wanted James' opinion. We gathered everyone and gave stern warnings about only walking in the store and listening. Uh right, listen? Walk? As soon as we got into the store they took off at a mad dash; one in one direction, the other headed elsewhere. James and I tried desperately to corral the boys while looking at the pieces I picked out. The kids loved the sofa and promptly took off their shoes so they could climb all over it. As we headed through the store Jameson obsessively touched everything he could get his hands on. It's really irritating even though I realize he's just figuring out this new environment. I appreciate that he is curious and loves to learn but enough is enough. Leave the glass balls alone, don't touch the stacked boxes, you get the picture.
After a brief meltdown James and I decided to go with the sofa and forget everything else. I didn't love any of it enough to commit to buying it and the boys were running everywhere. (I really wish my kids would casually stroll along while holding my hand but it just doesn't happen. No matter what techniques I try to employ, they still run at breakneck speed whenever given a space large enough to do so.)
We took the boys back to the van and I went back in to finish the paperwork. Easy enough, it would be ready Tuesday. As I feared they could not deliver since we were out of their delivery area. The salesman suggested renting a UHaul and figured it would be cheaper anyway. OK, no problem, I'm sure James can drive one of those.
Off we went quite pleased that we got the sofa.