Over the weekend, Rob and I took mini-me to the mall for a little family time. We rode the carousel and really just enjoyed spending time together. After the carousel we decided to take a leisurely stroll through the mall. Alarm bells were going off in my head. There is no such thing as a simple leisurely stroll through the mall for me. The mall is my mission. The mission is to find the cutest things at the best possible prices. Gymboree is my arch enemy. Well, truth be told, I love Gymboree. Problem is, Gymboree hates me and my thriftiness. Gymboree sees me coming and smiles a little evil smile deep inside.
It knows.
I have no power inside those walls. The cuteness overcomes me.
Gymboree is a money sucking vampire and I am its willing victim.
It happens the same way every time. I am at the mall. I feel its magnetic pull. I try my best to fight it, but its just too strong. So I compromise. I'll just go in and look, I tell myself. If there is a really great deal (which there never is), then maybe I will get something. And every time, I walk out defeated. Bags full, giddy with excitement. But underneath the excitement is the dread. For now I must call my husband and shamefully tell him what I have done. How in 15 minutes flat I have managed to ruin our monthly budget. But do I let that stop me? Never.
This time was no different.
I walked in with innocent intentions. Just browsing. But this time I had an accomplice. An almost 3 year old, clothes loving hellcat. And from the moment we walked in, she had her little blue eyes on her prize. A red polka dot bikini.
I tried to stick to my guns, but it was useless. "Its ok, we can pay for it mommy," she said, using all the cute little "get what you want from Daddy" tricks I had so proudly taught her. She was turning on me! Batting your eyes and using your sweet voice is only for use on Daddy!! He's weak! Not me! It isn't supposed to work on me!! But it did.
Shirts, socks, hair bows, and a red polka dot bikini later we left. But only I was feeling the dread. My little con artist was skipping happily along. Red polka dot bikini proudly in her hands.
