Abbey Vs. Carousel Mall

The kids have super wide feet. Whenever I try to buy them shoes at Walmart or Target, they end up too long and too small all at once, so we have to suck it up and buy the shoes at Stride Rite. They are very well made, I'll give them that, but they should be for the price. Anyhow, it's been so sunny, the boots have practically been unused and Abbey is growing out of her sneakers. Yesterday, I figured I'd make my seasonal trip to the Carousel mall with the kids. I needed to get a gift for Ethan's (Terry's grandson...Todd's best friend who passed in November) birthday party anyhow and so I figured I'd go to the Disney Store, too which I thought the kids would enjoy. And a quick stop at the Children's Place to get Adam a couple of pairs of shorts and done...a nice little trip to the mall.

Yeah, right.

I brought the double stroller since I still need to be able to keep track of them both even though Adam is getting better about behaving in stores. I anticipated some issues with him staying in it. I was wrong. Adam was so well-behaved. He stayed in the stroller, didn't grab stuff and put back stuff I let him hold when I told him, too.

I parked under the two-tier parking and strolled into Macy's. I had to get some foundation and the stuff I use, MAC, is only sold at the Carousel Macy's. They did so well as I talked to the salesperson. So pleasant and behaved. I strolled into the mall. All good. Thought I'd peek into Lane Bryant. Then it began. Abbey started screaming and crying. No working up to it. Just full force. I spent about 2 minutes in the store and left. I thought maybe she was just mad because she wanted to keep strolling. And there was nothing I needed there, anyhow. We passed Gymboree and I just turned towards it. Abbey started. OK, we don't need anything there anyhow. Then the Disney Store. I thought she'd be OK, since there is so much to look at. No. She started right away. I ignored her, looking for Ethan's gift.

Adam was in love in the store, of course, wanting to hold slinky dog, the aliens and some other things from Toy Story. He did so good when I told him he couldn't keep them. Abbey finally calmed down after I started giving her stuff to look at. I ended upgetting Ethan a little Toy Story figurine set and a beach towel. Adam got the same set. Yeah, I know he doesn't need it. Yeah, he's spoiled. Abbey picked out a necklace. And through a fit when I went to pay for it. Of course.

OK, time for lunch. I thought maybe she was just grumpy and hungry. Got them Wendy's kids meals and they behaved while I stood in line at Taco Bell. Adam even behaved when I let him out of the stroller to sit at the table and eat. They were entranced with the carousel and I was amazed they didn't get upset when I didn't take them on it.

Time for shoes. They wanted out as soon as I got to the store. I let them out and Abbey was good for 60 seconds. Then she run for the door and out into the mall as fast as she could. Good thing I was paying attention. I brought her in, put her down and...she ran again. So I held her while i looked at shoes and she screamed and cried. Finally, I strapped her back in and she was quiet long enough to try on a pair of shoes. Adam was so good. Stayed nearby, played next to me and let the woman put shoes on him.

It didn't help the whole mall was HOT. And Stride Rite was the HOTTEST.

We left, though I didn't get everything I needed at Stride Rite. I had to use the bathroom and had to go through Macy's to get out. She started screaming the minute I got into the store. She actually stopped while I was in the stall in the bathroom and started the minute I got her in the elevator. Outside, she stopped. She practically jumped out of the stroller into the car. Then, her necklace broke and beads went everywhere. Her whole face crumpled. It was her breaking point. The poor kid was trying to put the beads back together. I felt so bad for her at that point. She was just so sad.

She calmed down after a few minutes and was so happy when we pulled out. She took a catnap on the way home.

The thing is, Abbey loves to go outside, can't wait to get in the car and loves new things. But this did not suit her. I called Todd and told him Abbey felt about the Carousel Mall like she felt about the Cleveland Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. Maybe it's because both places were hot or because there were no windows. Who knows.

What I do know is that there is no mistaking when Miss Abigail is unhappy.