Christmas Shopping

We devoted Saturday to Christmas shopping! We started at the outlet mall at 10:00 a.m. Ty was like a kid in a candy store at Sports Authority. He tested out the golf clubs and tried on the golf gloves, checked out the roller blades and bikes, eyed the Foosball tables, and marveled at all the fun that could be had. He was very proud that his girls followed suit. They skated around in roller skates, tested out the putters on the putting green, worked out on the fitness equipment, rode bikes, and tried on shoes, the one girly activity. Even Adam loved it there. Then on to the toys and clothes.

We told the girls we already have some of their presents, but that we need a few more ideas. They did not disappoint. Each came up with about a million ideas of toys and gear they now really needed. Sarah tried to commit me to buying certain items and kept a running total of what she now expected. I struggled trying to help her get the idea of looking at everything first then deciding, you know, shopping in the Grandma Cole way. Finally at Target, our last stop at 6 p.m. we were looking for shoes and found Max and Cloud.

So Christmas trees are out and giant horses are in.
Meet Rachel's new friend Max.

Meet Sarah's new friend Cloud.

The girls lavishly pretended to take care of these 20" H x 40" W horses as Tyler and I picked out some other things, and when it was time to go to a different department they said their mushy goodbyes. At that time we split up and I went to purchase our items as Tyler and the girls priced some big ticket items we'll be needing soon. After they had finished and were ready to come out to the car the girls begged to walk past their horses again on the way out to say one final goodbye to Max and Cloud. Tyler, being the sweet Daddy he is agreed. Rachel lagged behind and Tyler looked back to see what was taking so long. She was kneeling down in front of a big display with her little hands clasped praying (he says it looked like she was praying to a dumb idol). I think we can imagine what she might have been saying in her prayer. When they reached the horse isle, to their horror, Max and Cloud were gone. Hmmm, suspicious?! They began crying, "Oh no, They're gone, now we can't buy them!"

We all met at the car and both girls were in tears all the way home. Trying to calm them down we suggested for the millionth time that they ask Santa for them. They sobbed, "But what if he doesn't bring them?!" Tyler finally came up with, "If he doesn't bring them I'll ask for them for my birthday (which for those of you who don't know is New Year's Day). Rachel was shocked, "You would do that?!!!!" Tyler said, "Sure." Rachel continued, "And would you let us play with them too?" (Ha, as if Tyler was going to be playing with them himself and not them play. Too funny.) Luckily this calmed the situation. Who knew it would cause such a fiasco. For some reason the girls are still very concerned that Santa may not be able to bring them, because after all, they were gone. They have decided to take matters into their own hands and begin saving up on their own. Their plan is to sell the pictures they color and save up enough to buy them, and hopefully lose a few more teeth. I encourage this sort of positive attitude, and because I don't approve of door to door selling, I offered my blog for their gallery (see side bar), hopefully this will appease them. What a kind mother I am.