I love to think about road trips with our kids, doing so brings back many happy memories. I remember the day trips to Minnesota to walk through IKEA and the Mall of America. Back then, if we needed something we’d plan the trip so we could go first to IKEA to buy it, and then head to the MOA. More times than not the mission wasn’t to buy it was to do as much as possible for free while we were there. The girls were young and at an age of discovering about decorating and had to accept what we could afford. They enjoyed the sights of the MOA and wanted to go on rides and walk around to window shop for fun.
Me: I’m so excited to go shopping with you and Rachel. I’m trying to remember the last time we went shopping together at IKEA and even the last time we went to the Mall of America for fun? Do you remember?
Sarah: Well, I think it was for my birthday after Nana passed away. But Rachel wasn’t with us.
Me: Wow, that was 6 years ago. I remember that day, it was a good day. You were looking for furniture for your remodeled bedroom. But I have a vague memory of another time after that?
Sarah: Maybe you did go with dad, but I wasn’t with you.
Me: Oh well, it doesn’t matter…we’re off to have fun, thanks for letting me tag along to hang out with you two. By the way…I’m driving, you need to capture photos for my blog. Here’s the camera.
Sarah: Oh, okay.
Me: Where do I turn? Funny how I’m so used to dad driving. I rarely have to give him directions.
Sarah: You can do it, mom, I’ll use your phone to get directions. Oh, and dad told me not to let you speed.
Me: I’m not speeding. Oh, and you’re such a good navigator. You’re so patient with me, thank you.
Sarah: Turn right here. Oh, mom, that’s okay, you turned left, but we need to be right over there. Just go that way, and then turn right, then left, and then another left and we’ll be by Rachel.
Me: A minor detour and we’re here. It never fails, when I drive, I always take a wrong turn somewhere. We parked, jumped out of the car, and reunited with a hug for Rachel. As we walked into the store, I grabbed my camera. I’ll take a picture outside now…I glanced at the girls as they walked ahead of me…my how they have grown.
I looked around to see not much else has changed, except the Cray building on the side of the Mall of America.
I smiled again, it was going to be a great day. This shopping trip it was fun in a different way, I discovered how adult-like the girls had become. They refrained from spontaneous urges to buy trinkets they looked at. They tried things out for real to see if they were comfortable and practical, not just pretty. They read the prices and said, “Nah, I don’t need it. I’m just looking and planning on what I need.” I was impressed with their conversations about what they liked and didn’t like. IKEA’s displays are hard to resist. We walked through the whole upper level and rounded the corner by the lunch area empty-handed with nothing on the pick up later list.
Me: Are we ready for lunch?
The Girls: Yes!
Flashbacks hit me as I remembered how we as a young family would look at the menus to plan the cheapest meal that we could share. We knew the kids’ eyes were bigger than their stomachs and we didn’t want to waste money. This time, we all picked our own meals, and I bought. Some things stay the same.
My eyes were bigger than my stomach. It’s hard to tell what the portion sizes are when buying ala carte.
Now we’re 3 ladies watching our figures. We thought ahead. Just one dessert not to bestow too many extra calories at the end of our meal. And we (I) didn’t give a damn that we left some bites of unneeded food behind – besides quinoa expands!
As we ate lunch, I listened to the girls talk in all adult-like manner and I smiled about how proud I am of how they are alike, but unique at the same time. I rationalized to myself as I glanced down at our plates at what remained uneaten. I looked away and out the window to see how nice the weather was instead of being mad at wasting food.
We had another level of the store to walk around, (which contained the stuff I came to buy) followed by a quick jaunt over to the MOA to burn off more calories. We had other things to do. And, I had my skinny jeans and my walking shoes on – I was ready to keep up with the girls who let me be cool and hang out with them.
Me: I’m exhausted, but that was a fun trip.
Sarah: Yes, it was.
Me: Quick, grab the camera, we still need a picture of the store on my blog.
Sarah: Don’t worry, Mom, I got it. You’re good to go. Keep going right, so you don’t miss the entrance ramp!
When we go out I also think of the pictures for my blog 😄. My husband is now used to it.
That’s great – he’s supportive like my husband ;-)!
Yup! 😉