Splish Jump Score
Any time Mr. Husband abandons his ladies for an evening, I try to make it a mission to have a Girls' Night Out. This past Friday was no exception. First Alexis I stopped at the house to pick up the dog that has never before chewed my car's emergency break until it looked like a mangled hunk of plastic (four years and two cars later I still haven't forgiven a certain smelly beast for that). After that we set out for our favorite restaurant to partake in some Thai and traveled South of town to the new Outlet Mall for some serious shopping.
We'll be headed to Indiana for Thanksgiving, so I figured a little dose of time in the car would be good for Cody. He's going to need to get used to riding around and waiting patiently in a vehicle if he's going to survive the 6-hour trek there, after all. And HOO-BOY am I glad I decided to get him some time in the car because it turns out that Cubans have a thing against Germans. I'm not sure what the deal is exactly, but I know that the little Havanese is totally content and not-sick riding around in Mr. Husband's Japanese SUV, but he turns into a little fountain of vomit riding around in my German car.
So, yeah, that part was fun. At least it was during a quick trip out and not a 6-hour drive, though.
Once Alexis and I arrived at the Outlets, we headed straight for the restrooms. We had consumed our respective weights in salty noodles and water, so it was a priority. The restrooms at the Outlets are, with the exception of the ones along Rodeo Drive, some of the nicest ones I have personally visited. Considering I've visited pretty much every restroom there is, that's saying something. They are pretty simple in decor, but very functional. There is a mothers' room with a fully equipped changing table (not of that fold down crazy crap that Alexis has been too heavy for since long before she walked), a decent rocking chair, and all sorts of little amenities that I would have greatly appreciated back in the day. The always clean main stalls are over-sized and come complete with a spacious shelf for your shopping bags and, of course, automatically flushing toilets.
I'm pretty sure Alexis has encountered a self-flushing toilet before, but apparently she has not encountered one on a day when she was incapable of sitting still for a split second. She spent her time atop the throne dancing around like the crazy chick she is, and managed to trigger the sensor. I don't think I have ever seen that kid fly quite as high or nearly as fast as she did when that toilet flushed while she was still seated. And, yes, I plan to make fun of her for about five years about it.
After watching a toilet traumatize my kid, we set out for a quick jaunt through Gap and scored BIG TIME, but I can't write about any of that because that would be admitting to something that I'm not going to admit to knowing that Mr. Husband reads this. Ahem.
So OF COURSE Alexis and I were well-behaved. Totally.
And if we weren't? Well, that's just what he gets for leaving us unsupervised.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Reader Comments (31)
It was the pink polka dotted dress, wasn't it? But it was for Cody, so that's alright.
@Karen--We saw that pink polka-dotted dress today and I essentially threw myself on top of the table so Alexis wouldn't see it. Whoever at Gap decided to make a long-sleeve version of that dress HATES me.
Love the picture. Next time take me for a girls' night. 'Kay?
dude (heh) ...
i totally jump eight feet in the air when those stupid self-flushers go off prematurely.
and we have puking dogs. they don't discriminate between japanese, german or american. nasty.
Those flushers have scared the crap out of me a few times too! Then of course I laugh so much I have to pee again. It's a vicious cycle!
Right now I am trying to decide which Outlet mall is closer to me, this one, or Grove City. What do you think? Are the prices that much better than in regular stores?
Oooh, Indiana, you know who else lives there...
I'd say the thing I'm most dreading about potty training is public bathrooms! I've only even changed him in the public bathrooms a few times in his two years of life!
Yeah, I can't even get Monkey to sit on a self-flushing toilet at this point. She doesn't want anything to do with them. They are too loud. The other day I desperately needed to use the loo, and I traumatized her by making her stay in the stall with me and one of those self-flushers. She had her ears covered the whole time.
Cute pic. That dog is weakening my resolve. Although stories of dog puke in cars helps restore it!
ciao,
rpm
The one bad thing about a blog - Mr. Hubs might read it! I LOVE the outlets but always go WAY overboard....what am I ever going to do with a petal pink suit coat ($6.75!) - isn't really appropriate for Court.....
My boys have also been traumatized by auto-flushing toilets. It's hilarious when we go someplace like my in-laws and they ask, "Does it flush by itself?" all while covering their ears, just in case. BTW? Not a single toilet in Disney World requires you to actually flush it. Don't they realize how un-kid-friendly this is?!?!
I am so glad I am not the only mother who has such fun with the auto flushers! The ones at the airport are particularly traumatizing to the kids - not only do they flush at random, but they are LOUD!
I hope the doggy vomit comes out and doesn't leave a lingering smell - it has got to be second only to the sippy cup of milk left in the car in July.
First, that pic is totally adorable! Second, Husband leaves kiddos and I unsupervised all the time...it never occurred to me to go shopping...thinking I should...
I see a couple of partners in crime in that precious picture. And even I get scare of those toilets sometimes...
Foreign toilets can be a mighty foe indeed!
i loathe those flip down plastic changing pads... it's true...
that is so cute in re: to the toilet... too funny! (sorry about the dog though. not fun.)
Why would the Gap hate you when you are such a devoted customer? Shame. And, when she gets over the initial fear of the self-flush? Watch out! Cause mine thinks it's great fun to keep getting them to flush over and over and over and over.... Congrats on the buys & smooches, lovebug.
Sounds like such fun!! I'd love to go to the outlets...but I'll behave.
(P.S. Carry some post-its w/ you. Put them over the sensor...ends toilet trauma ;) )
I admit to being a bit freaked out by the self-flushing toilets, myself. Especially when you're not expecting it. Makes me wonder if there's a Candid Camera somewhere recording the faces!
Awesome - an automatic flusher post! I've been holding on to this tidbit of info for a long time, and I must share.
Even though I know it's not possible, I'm secretly convinced that the automatic flusher sensors have cameras in them.
There. I said it.
I'm looking forward to checking out the new outlet when we make our annual trek to Pittsburgh in the summer. Also, if Alexis does end up traumatized by the auto toilets, little post-its work great. We have a scaredy cat here. If you need a quick, get out of the car stretch for Alexis while you're heading through Columbus, let me know. Our kiddos will surely tire her out for the rest of the drive!
Funny! I went to the Tanger Outlets with my girlfriends on Saturday. As I was in the bathroom, I would have taken a picture in there too, however, I had left my purse with my group that was sitting and waiting for the rest of the group. They really were nice bathrooms!!!
I liked the mall, however, the same stores and MORE are at Grove City and it is about twice as big. It was a nice change of pace for us, though!
Mr. Husband does not NEED TO KNOW and SHOULDN'T worry about what happens while he is away. When the Mr.'s are out - all is fair, RIGHT? Isn't that the law?
And I'm sticking to that story.
And I'll be telling Mr.T that you said it was okay. Okay?
Both little ones are gorgeous!
I'm checking out those outlets too! Thanks.
Cody looks like he's saying 'Eff you I'm NOT getting back in that car!!!'.
Just as you mentioned the automatic flushing toilets, I thought, "I wonder if they have trouble with them flushing before you're ready!?" Sure enough!
I LOVE the idea of automatic everything, but those dang things need tweaked a bit, don't they?
You need to come up my way to the GROVE CITY OUTLETS!
That is the most DARLING picture ever of a girl and her dog! LUV it!
If your dog goes missing, I have him. He's just too cute.
Kidding - about the dog-napping, I mean. Honest. He's just really really cute.
OMG, warn a girl, why don't you? I almost shot water out my nose!!!
Sorry that Cody and the German engineering didn't get along. Wonder why that is? I guess you'll be taking the Japanese SUV for the trip, eh?
Peace - D
OMG!!! That'll teach her to mess around on the toliet! That is hilarious. I personally think you should keep that one in your arsenal for much longer than 5 years. It will be a fantastic story when she brings a boy home for dinner. Fun for the whole family.
hhhhhhhhhahahahahah!!!!
and look at that angel girl who helps you out with the puppy love!!!
you guys are toooooo cute.
I think we must have the same type of outlet malls, here. There are some totally hawt restrooms up in there.
And what's up with those crappy fold-down plastic things? I inevitably opt for the change in the back of the car route.
*sigh*
Got that right! I could have just stayed in the bathroom & been happy I think....Sis & I were visiting one of those posh potties last Sunday too though there was no thought for baby mama, it was a nice bathroom. Gorgeous marble countertops & lighting etc...You would have thought I never took Sissy out anywhere though. All the people there washing hands & checking out their hair & she said -loudly- "Mom! look! Automatic water faucets, automatic soap AND automatic hand blowers WOW! I guess she figured she pretty much scored that time.
Glad you girls had a fun night out (minus the vomit & toilet trauma)