At the mall

I am so grateful for indoor mall play places! It was another cooler day here in Arlington, VA and we don't have any warmer clothes. So.... I remembered the Fair Oaks mall had a play place Olivia really enjoyed the last time we stayed here. Using my new fancy GPS I was off!

Only one minor wrong turn (not the GPS's fault) I made it to the mall safe and sound. Whew! Driving in Virginia drives me crazy!

We went straight to the play place and it was closed for cleaning! Ahhhh! But luckily it looked like it would be open soon. So I dragged a whining Olivia off with me the JC Penney to look at clothes for me while we waited. We made it back to the playplace after a little while and it was open! No kids in sight! We had the place to ourselves.

About 5 minutes later.... the play place was hoppin'! Kids everywhere! But Olivia and Samantha had a great time! Olivia even found a new friend to boss around!

Some of the time Samantha didn't know what to do. But she soon figured it out!

I was really grateful to have a place for them to play and get out some of their energy! But... now I am prepared! After playing we went to Gymboree and I bought both girls each a lightweight jacket to wear in the cooler weather. Thinking ahead of course I bought both jackets one size bigger because I know in two weeks when I am in Houston the jackets will head to the closet until late fall!

Then we had ice-cream! Yum! Then I realized I am a shop lifter!!!!! I had picked up a sweater to buy for Olivia and hung it on the stroller. Didn't even realize I had strolled right out of the store with it hanging on the back of the stroller without even paying for it! Oops! Feeling extremely guilty I took it back to the store. Told the sales lady what happened. She smiled and thanked me for being "honest." Feeling a bit proud of myself and foolish at the same time I headed out the door as quick as I could.

Just as we were headed out of the mall I notice Olivia "dancing". Yep.... she needed to pee. We walked quickly to the restroom. On the way we passed Build-a-Bear. Olivia stopped and begged me to let her go in. I told her "NO! You've got to hurry to the bathroom!" So crying once again because I "hurt" Olivia's feelings we hurried to the bathroom. Just outside the door she squats on the floor moaning! Oh no! Yep... she couldn't hold it.

Now I was REALLY (not) happy..... so I took her to Sears (the closest store) and spied a pair of nice looking jeans for Olivia on a clearance sale for only $3.99! Can you believe it? Got an awesome deal!

At least two things good came out of the mall visit! The girls got to play and I got a good deal on a nice pair of jeans for Olivia! As for the whining, crying and complaining.... All in a days work!