Mixed Prints Life

Mall-ing It

If you know anything about me, then you know I D-E-S-P-I-S-E the heat. And Chicagoland (along with much of the country) is being hit with this crazy hot wave. I cannot STAND it. It makes going outside unbearable and means that we are usually, more often than not, cooped up inside somewhere to avoid sunburn, heatstroke, and general misery.
So when my twelve-year-old niece hopped over for a visit, I knew we’d have to do something. We decided it was a horrific terrific idea to head up to Woodfield Mall. Easy enough, right? 
Wrong.
Here’s some pros (and their cons):
They have this amazing Looney Tunes play area that provides plenty of things to do and space to play. 
{except when it’s 110 degrees out, no one has anywhere else to go, and your smallest child finds the open exit every.single.time. and your oldest child asks incessantly, “Where’s Kaeli? Where’s Kaeli?” as she escaped for a moment to snag Starbucks}
Wow! Look at all the fun ramps we can race up and down and up and down and provide 
endless fits of laughter.
{if you’ve ever been to Woodfield Mall, it’s like a human mouse trap. I’m serious. Upper level, lower level, oh there’s a middle level that you can get INto with a stroller but not OUT of? Right. Commence bumpy stroller ride down the stairs…Let’s not forget how exhausting it is to push children up and down, up and down, up and down.}
Seventy-eight restaurants to choose from? This sounds amazing!
{false. Rainforest Cafe – come on in little kids. We’ll lure you and your parents inside with fish tanks and animal animatronics and then convince your parents to over-pay for mediocre food.  Sit-down restaurants with a three and one-year-old equal automatic dismissal. But what about the food court? Oh wait, that’s right there IS no real food court, just a bunch of randomly placed food vendors with a small amount of tables to squeeze into.}
Don’t worry, Charlie. If you’re good, we can get delicious mall cookies.
{oh unless Mrs. Field’s has gone out of business and will simply be replaced with yet another pretzel venue. Read :: terrifying screams of feeling ripped off, robbed, and general discontent – and that was just from me!}
Gymboree sales!
{apart from the lack of any *real* sales, I can’t really complain here. The tv and three small chairs easily kept my boys entertained for 9 minutes. So thank you, Gymboree!}
__________________________________________
Despite all of this, we made memories, shared some laughs, and the latter half had the boys behaving relatively well surprisingly.  The only other story of note involves Wetzel’s Pretzels.

While watching a fellow mom of two struggle with a front/back double stroller while simultaneously juggle a wallet and just purchased pretzels and keeping her kids calm at the same time, Kaeli and I joined the line right behind her. My boys knew there were pretzels arriving and continued to point, beckon, and mention the upcoming treat! As this mom turned her gigantic stroller to start once again strolling the mall, Kaeli and I moved ours out of the way to accommodate her.

Enter skinny jeaned think they’re emo boys {probably late high school}. They step up to the register with complete disregard for my impatient kids and the fact that we WERE IN LINE! They order obliviously as the cashier gives me a sheepish look. I waited for my kids to start into a full-blown tantrum, but thankfully, they never did. I secretly hoped for a moment they would – really teach those boys a lesson! But alas, we were later united with our pretzels and {mostly} no worse for the wear!

Comments

  1. The lady with the double stroller reminded me of myself Lol! Going to a crowded mall is a work out. Even though I say excuse me people just stare ask if the girls are twins but never really give enough room for me to get break free!

    Reply

  2. Wow I have never had too bad of an experience there with my two kids 1 and 3 but we usually go during the winter. The play place is a lifesaver for us and our apartment!

    Reply

  3. Oh how I can relate, LOL. Glad that despite the craziness you guys were able to enjoy each other and make some great memories. And for the record, it’s been crazy hot here in Colorado too and I hate it too! 🙂

    Reply

  4. Mari, totally reminded me of you!

    Rebecca, I think we just must have gone at an awkward time – SO SO crowded!

    @Sarah, thanks for stopping by – I’m SO over this heat!

    Have a great week, girls!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Instagram