Playing Hopscotch at the Mall

I wanted to have some quality "girl time" with Ainsley today. For us that means shopping and lunch out on the town. Specifically...shoe shopping. I am not saying that either of us has a closet full of shoes. We just love to shop for them, even if we don't buy any. Shoe shopping provides bonding time, no matter what your age.

As soon as we entered the mall, Ainsley started playing hopscotch on the tile floor. "Mom, I don't want to step on the lines or I'll lose my points!" she said.

"What points?" I asked.

"The ones you get for stepping inside the boxes."

Holding tightly to my hand, she hopped her way through the mall...the entire way. Normally, my right shoulder hurts because my purse is so heavy. Now it's my left shoulder that aches from being yanked for 2 hours.

On our way to the shoe department, we were distracted by the Christmas ornaments. They were truly spectacular. White feathery butterflies flitted from the ceiling, suspended by fishing wire. They gave the illusion of downy snowflakes falling from the sky. Every ornament was unique and EXTREMELY breakable. Yet, despite her bouncing, Ainsley managed to touch each and every one in the store without breaking a single decoration. The sales associate was so calm. She even seemed enthusiastic to have us there. I guess things are still fairly slow in the Christmas Department.

In the midst of all of the crystal and glitter, it dawned on me that it is still October.

Ainsley's obsession with going trick-or-treating for candy corn was replaced by visions of candy canes dancing in her head. She loves all holidays that are associated with candy. She lives for candy. Life is not worth living without candy. I decided to reward her great listening skills with a new ornament for our tree. She selected a cupcake ornament for herself, and a peppermint swirl lollipop ornament for her brother. Her choice could not have been more appropriate. Unfortunately, it reminded her of the hunger in her tummy, and she decided she wanted to have a real cupcake for lunch. We settled on pizza.

During our lovely dining experience at the food court, we sat side-by-side and played "I Spy". Ainsley was charmed by a baby at a nearby table. She really wanted to go touch the baby. She became fixated on the baby and having more pizza AND dessert. I distracted her by suggesting we go play hopscotch again, which she did with great enthusiasm.

She was beginning to get tired, so we skipped shoe shopping and headed for the car. Once we were buckled in and heading home, I realized that Ainsley had not stopped talking for nearly 3 hours. My ears were ringing and my brain was limp. How on earth does she do that? I was exhausted! We are going to have to find another way to bond that involves less driving and walking in expensive stores. I think next time we're going to take a bike ride to the park and have a picnic.