Winter Break at the Mall
The Whomptons do not frequent malls -- especially not during winter holiday shopping craziness season -- but we were stuck for ideas of how to occupy the girls on a ridiculously cold and snowy day. So, we decided to go to the Saint Louis Mills mall because it was big (therefore lots of walking and hopefully wearing out of children), there was an indoor playground, and maybe, because of its size, there would be something or someone interesting to see.
Well, the Mills is really an outlet mall, which we did not realize before going, but it didn't change the effects of what we accomplished. The girls walked the entire mall, which did wear them out. We ventured into a variety of discounted toy stores and scored a ferocious stuffed tiger lovey for Lola, a new set of puzzles, new bath toys for the girls, and the classic Fisher Price cash register toy. Fabulous find! Krystal and Eric shopped in the Kitchen Outlet Store -- new cutting boards! an old fashioned timer! a new spatula! -- and Samantha found a pair of khaki pants that fit, an item she has coveted for years. Much success had by all.
Okay, this picture is not from the mall trip. I think it's from a Daddy-Raina trip to Nashville and they stopped somewhere for a meal. I just think Raina is precious here.
Here are the girls ready to venture forth. I think this is Lola's second experience with a mall.
The girls investigate the play space.
Unfortunately, malls don't open as early as, say, Target, so our window of opportunity pushed up against lunch and naptime. Lola started to melt down and the Whomptons caved on the "no eating at national chains" principle and settled for the lesser of evils that were available at the mall. It was Chevy's. Let me tell you, Chevy's is a terrible place to dine. The food is subpar, we all felt terrible after, and, sadly enough, we felt like we were cheating on our traditional Mexican restaurant. But they fed us, which is why we look so happy in these pictures.
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