Mall Rats

I did something today that I have never done before.  I spent 5 hours at the mall with both Ryan and Cole.  What was I thinking?

After our great weather on Saturday, it turned windy, cold, and snowy on Sunday.  We were cooped up all day yesterday.   I actually had no errands or anything else planned today, and the prospect of spending 12 hours in the house again, was not appealing- evidently going to the mall with two small, active, boys was. 

I had to return a pair of my new jeans that I just bought, because (and I’m not complaining), they were too big.  After having them on for a few hours, they stretched out, and just didn’t fit.  I also needed to pick up a few more casual / work shirts.  I couldn’t believe how empty the mall was.  It seems like I usually go to the mall on weekends.  There was hardly anyone there.  It was so nice being able to shop and look around without bumping into people, especially since I had the double stroller.  Ryan and Cole also liked being able to stand in front of the mirrors and they could move their arms, and not hit anyone.  I must remember any shopping at the mall needs to be done on a Monday.

I returned my jeans, (the size down didn’t fit at all), and I found some nice shirts on sale at Gap and Old Navy- woo hoo!  After I was done with my errands, we ate lunch.  I packed some PB&J’s for the boys.  Cole wanted nothing to do with his sandwich, so he ate most of my sandwich I picked up at Subway.  Oh well. 

Then we went to Pottery Barn Kids, where I took a nap on the beautifully, perfect, made up Madeline Canopy trundle bed, (do adults with jobs even have beds this nice?) while the boys played next to me in the $800 toy kitchen.  (Do adults with jobs even have kitchens this nice?)  Just kidding- about the nap- I did sit down on the Madeline bed, and laid up against the perfect pillows for forty-five minutes while the boys played. 

 I have to say the employees at Pottery Barn Kids were very nice.  I am sure they could tell I wasn’t going to buy anything, but they didn’t mind a tired mama camping out on the perfectly made Madeline Canopy bed, nor did they even flinch when my two boys climbed on it. At least the boys took their shoes off, before getting on the white bedding. I was hoping I didn’t miss wiping up any jelly on their hands from lunch.  They just told me to relax, and told me how cute Ryan and Cole were.  They get my vote for just being so nice.  The next time I am in the market for an item I can afford there (it won’t be the $800 kitchen though), I will get it there. 

Then we went to the play area, where the boys ran around for another hour.  Then we got a snack and headed home.  All in all it went well EXCEPT I forgot that Ryan’s medication he is taking for his double ear infection that won’t go away, makes him have to go to the bathroom in a heartbeat.  Let’s just say it sure isn’t fun dashing across the mall, trying to find a bathroom for your four-year old, when you already know his pants are a mess, and you forgot to bring 3 pairs of clean underwear for him. I wonder if he was the only other kid going commando at the mall today?

Cole was asleep as we left the parking lot, and Ryan fell asleep about ten minutes from home.  They both fell asleep tonight a few minutes after they laid down.  I am happy that they got so much exercise, and they really did have fun.  Ryan asked if we could stay at the mall longer, as we were leaving, and then as we were getting in the car, he told me Coley wanted to go back inside the mall.  I guess we’ll have to become offical mall rats the next time the weather is bad, and we have cabin fever.