A Lesson Well Learned

This past Sunday morning, we were meant to play with Graham, but when we pulled up post-"Starfoxes" run, Derek ran out to tell us that Graham had just thrown up. So Julie and Joe beat a hasty retreat but what to do?! First, we gave Aunt Kate a call and Fans, Joe chatted her right up. He gave her the whole run down of the morning and then let Aunt Kate know that Halloween and heart stickers were going on the valentines. They talked so long that by the time Julie was given back the phone, they were almost to the Carter's which was, as anticipated, closed. (Julie has had something to be returned in the car for weeks now and hope spring eternal.)

By now, we were on an official Adventure. We next stopped in at the Old Navy by Southdale Mall.* Julie thought she might as well try and begin gathering up the spring clothes that must be weather-appropriate somewhere in the US, but certainly won't be here until they are no longer in stores and thus must be purchased well in advance of when needed.** We didn't stay there too long because the selection was sort of lackluster. But we still have some time to while away so we motored over to the Old Navy by our house. Bonus! It was under construction and thus had construction vehicles out front!

This particular Old Navy had more bins with balls scattered about the store, notably in the infant and toddler section. Julie relayed what you are about to read to Sara Monday and she instantly said, "I hate those ball bins." She knew where this was headed. Fans, Our Hero went a little wild in the Old Navy. In this picture, taken with Julie's cell phone (the only camera available), you see Our Intrepid Hero having bravely cast off his Crocs in favor of snowmen slippers which he then coasted all about the floor in. Several pairs were sampled. At the same time, multiple balls were taken out and tossed and chased down aisles. Did we mention the store was under construction so please picture Our Hero covered head to toe in dust from crawling all over the floor after assorted balls as you paint the mental picture of these events in your mind. Julie was sort of at a loss, but thankfully, the store was nearly deserted so Joe wasn't impeding anyone's shopping (save Julie's), and we managed to escape the Old Navy with a few shirts for the warmer days that will surely come sometimes, but without the snowman slippers, any balls, or the glasses that were plucked from a rack on the way to checkout.

Julie walked in the house with Joe for lunch and nap and little frazzled. She relayed the above to Ted who chuckled and commented simply that at Target and Whole Foods, Joe has two choices: 1. ride in the cart, or 2. walk, holding Ted's hand. Julie, having shopped less frequently with Joe solo now that he is a strapping two-and-a-half year old, thought, "A lesson well learned."

*This orients our local readers of course. For our non-local readers, we would tell you as an interesting sidebar, that Southdale Mall was the first enclosed shopping mall in America, and was anchored by a Target store.

**The joys of northern living, exhibit 89.