The Day an Alpaca Became a Sheep

I have a grandson named Gio, and shopping with him is always an experience. I raised three children of my own, but somehow I don’t remember shopping with them being quite this adventurous. Maybe time has softened those memories! What I’ve recently discovered, though, is that taking a toddler to the mall isn’t simply running an errand — it’s an expedition involving snacks, negotiations, unexpected detours, and at least one moment when you wonder who exactly is in charge. Spoiler alert: it’s the toddler.

On the drive there, Gio sits quietly in his car seat, taking in the beautiful mountain views like a tiny tourist on vacation. Every now and then, he attempts to sing along with the kiddie songs playing in the car. The lyrics may be questionable, but the enthusiasm is Grammy-worthy.

Occasionally, something catches his eye outside the window, and he gives it a cheerful little wave goodbye before returning to his concert performance.

Once we arrive at the mall, he happily accepts his royal carriage — also known as a stroller — and allows us, his servants, to push him from store to store.

We stopped to shop for toddler clothes. While Mom and Dad searched through endless racks of tiny shirts and pants, Gio decided that Gama (his adorable name for Grandma) needed assistance. So off we went, exploring the store together.

Hand in hand, he marched beside me, using his free hand to touch, pat, smack, and inspect absolutely everything within reach. Apparently, quality control is one of his many talents.

Then he spotted it. A gray stuffed porcupine. He grabbed it immediately, clearly convinced he had found the treasure of the century…for approximately 5 seconds. Because then he saw something even better: a small, fluffy white alpaca. He handed over the porcupine, snatched the alpaca, hugged it close, and proudly announced: “Behhhh! Behhhh! Behhhh!”

“Oh, sweetheart,” I explained, “that’s not a sheep. It’s an alpaca.”

“Behhhh!”

“Well, okay then.”

To be fair, I was in no position to argue. I had no idea what an alpaca sounded like. For all I knew, they spend their days saying “behhh” and laughing at us for getting it wrong.

So the alpaca remained a sheep, and the sheep remained firmly tucked under Gio’s arm.

When it came time to check out, he proved himself a seasoned shopper. Without releasing his new best friend, he carefully held the alpaca up for the cashier to scan, then immediately pulled it back into a tight hug as if to say, “Thank you. We’re done here.”

One of my favorite things about Gio is the way he hugs his plush animals. He wraps his little arms around them with such tenderness and love. Watching him do that melts my heart because it reflects the love he receives every day from his mom and dad.

The alpaca may have left the store labeled as an alpaca, but in Gio’s world it was a sheep, and more importantly, it was loved.

And honestly, I think that’s all that matters.

Maybe that’s one of the sweetest things about being a grandmother. I get to experience these little moments all over again, only this time I’m not rushing through them. I can slow down, laugh at the silliness, and see the world through Gio’s eyes. A simple trip to the mall becomes a memory worth holding onto—and apparently, an alpaca can become a sheep.

P.S. After writing this, I got curious and looked up what an alpaca actually sounds like. As it turns out, their little hums and calls can sound surprisingly similar to a sheep’s “behhh.” So apparently, Gio may have known something Gama didn’t. 

Score: Gio 1, Gama 0.