I have an unusual affinity for stores. Whenever I travel, I make it a point to stop in local Supermarkets just to see the different kind of stuff they have, the different layouts and to get a real feel for the region (Cancun has a spectacular supermarket!!). But no matter what, the real Mecca of shopping for me has always been all Costcos. Going there with the kids is an adventure every single time… and I love it. Granted, I need a full hose-down with Dove Men+Care body wash, but let’s save that for later.

Costco always has great stuff on EVERY aisle. Even the aisles that most people skip right past. I’m talking about you – office supply and mattress row (I still love you).

The employees there are generally helpful and enthusiastic and above all else lies the true gem – the Costco Buffet.

When I’m in other stores and feeling even remotely hungry, every buy is an impulse buy. “Corn meal and squid? I can probably make something spectacular with this!”.

Luckily, Costco keeps me well-nourished, so my impulse purchases are confined to inflatable pools and 98-gallon jugs of Windex. And of course there are the items that I go there to seek out – this time, a Dove Men+Care body wash 3-pack.

I recently learned that Dove Men+Care Extra Fresh body wash is available now in a 3-pack for a limited time at select Costco stores throughout the country, and I needed to get my hands on it.

Not only have I heard that this body wash smells amazing (menthol as an ingredient – GOOD MORNING ARCTIC AIR!), but it contains unique MICROMOISTURE technology, which activates upon lathering and locks in moisture – something I’ve obviously been studying up on in all of my spare time.

While I typically just use my wife’s body wash (THAT’S JUST BETWEEN US) that’s sitting in the shower, I created this mission specifically to find and procure the fabled Dove Men+Care body wash. Nothing wrong with something that’s specifically designed to leave my skin feeling hydrated, healthy and protected against dryness, right?

Generally, I go to Costco with the kids and it’s an easy sell for them. We eat, relax on the furniture they’re selling, play hide-n- seek and have a blast.

My two kids are easy to manage, being old enough to not stray too far and also having the wherewithal to be able to locate me in moments. However, a few days before the holiday weekend – I decided to embark on a Costco visit, not only with my rascals, but also including my three visiting nephews as my brother-in-law needed to catch up on some work.

Now… these three little guys are a whole different story.

MUCH more supervision was required. Cumulatively the kids are off the wall. They wrestle each other unexpectedly with zero notice and zero acknowledgement as to their surroundings. They are 150% fearless. They climb and jump and run and yell and knock stuff everywhere…….

In other words, they’re COMPLETELY AWESOME!!!!! I love those little dudes, but this trip to Costco was a whole new experience, leaving me with just two goals.

  1. Get out with all 140 fingers and toes intact.
  2. Find the Dove Men+Care body wash.

We all cruised in together from the house without major incident.

Yet… on the turn of a dime, like some sort of psychic mind-meld had occurred between all the kids – they scattered like teenagers fleeing their parents after entry into Busch Gardens.

Off they went in four different directions and I was left to manage the pandemonium! I gathered them up (two in electronics, one near the produce area and the other under the table filled with books I want) and we were finally back in order.

My nephews deserved nothing but the full and BEST Costco experience and unfortunately, at this point, I’m sweating and running ragged trying to keep the herd in line. I was forced to skip many of my favorite aisles and instead went straight to the samples and we devoured everything that was presented.

Usually I’m not a sample lurker, but this time I had little choice. Only the promise of a mini-cheeseburger or coconut shrimp would keep their loyalty until check-out.

At the point in which we had exhausted supplies at every sample station, I began to get wary looks as the employees were frantically starting from scratch to appease the other customers.

I forged on and resumed my plan to get some actual shopping done. And they immediately resumed ‘their plan’ of wreaking the havoc.

I’ve never worked as a rancher, but I’d imagine that this is what it might be like trying to drive cattle across the open plains. I may as well have been a cowboy that day – dusty, sweat-soaked and smelly.

And much like the cattle I was herding – on a dime, my impulse purchasing persona kicked into high gear and shifted from buying to appease a hungry stomach… to buying to clean and feel good about myself…and the obvious truth was that I needed to find something STAT! Lo and behold! There it was, living in the men’s personal care aisle. The silver Dove Men+Care logo gleaming in the distance.

EXACTLY what I needed to de-funk myself after this outing – Dove Men+Care Extra Fresh Body Wash. A 3-pack should do the job nicely. And the best part of this deal – is you’re getting THREE 18-ounce bottles for $11.99, which is a total STEAL – a fraction of the price compared to buying three at your local grocery store – plus I’m totally stocked and don’t need to pinch off of the wife’s supply!

I snapped up everything I’d need, inwardly thanking the Costco people for recently introducing Dove Men+Care body wash to their store’s bulk offerings and B-Lined it for the checkout. After some hot dogs and lemonade on the way out, I shuttled them all home.

I walked through the door looking like I had battled my way through a tropical jungle, as natives had attacked me with mustard and soy sauce. I’m pretty sure they do that down there.

Finally, after getting the crew home, in the front door and changing guard with my brother-in-law (not sure that he actually did any work while I was gone), I was able to get to my room and freshen up.

Ahhhhh, I felt like a new man and was ready to Dad the heck out of the kids again.

Bring it, you awesome little train wrecks!!!

EDITOR’S NOTE: This post is sponsored by Mirum on behalf of Dove Men+Care and their #GetDoveClean campaign, however – the story about grime, grit and the act of getting clean was an adventure all to us. For more information on how you can grab some Dove Men+Care Body wash for yourself, check them out HERE, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.