Oh man

Since K. got her contacts, she immediately has started begging for sunglasses. Her friend from up the street wanted to go with her to the mall. So when my sister called yesterday and we figured out that we were both thinking of taking the girls to the mall, we decided to go together. What fun right?? K. and I have never gone shopping "at the mall" together. We have gone as a family and picked up a few things here and there, and stick with Kohl's etc. Up until now, I have mostly been able to pick up things while I am out and bring them home for K. I know her taste pretty well, and keeping her away from the mall and some of the goth/acid head stores in there is all the better. Well I headed off yesterday with high hopes for a fun day! K was allowed for the first time ever to go off by herself with her friend, so hunt down previously mentioned sunglasses. They did a great job. I called them and had them meet my sister and I at Deb to look at some tops I found. well let's say - my niece gave my sister a HUGE run for her money and headache with her attitude and choice of clothing. K. started out ok, and proceeded to throw a major tempertantrum because I wouldn't let her buy a new dress for a dance that is a month away and is a costume party. She did settle down and we did wind up having a more pleasant time. But I do believe I just got a glimpse at the future. Let's say my hopes for happy skipping holding hands while shopping in the mall images are never going to happen (Not really but hey I can exaggerate a bit!) As my sister yet one more time told my niece to pull her pants up-Yes, she loves to wear the wasit band barely covering her, um, private parts, and telling her under no uncertain terms that she would not be buying one of the mini skirts unless the shorts were attached inside. Even though J. swore she would wear shorts underneath them (yea - so you can take them off in the bathroom at school?! - she seemed shocked that my sister and I would figure that one out, even when she insists she wouldn't!?) But above all for me, the shoe store was the worst. K. of course does not like any of the ballet flats that are so popular,a nd my neice keep saying they were too flat, when she was flapping around in flipflops all day!! What is flatter than a flipflop!! K. couldn't see why I wouldn't pay $23 for a pair of sneakers with a heel that I KNOW she would never tromp around all day in school with them on....

I am happy to report we did manage to clothe them all, and everyone got a pair of shoes. So it's all good. But, we won't be doing it again, anytime soon! I think I realized where the tshirt slogan we saw on vacation originated from...a mom at the mall. "I parent, therefore I drink"