Written by Even though I never really enjoyed shopping, I always enjoyed the mall, though it always had a lot more to do with the people watching than anything I could buy there. Sometimes I would even throw all pretense aside, stake out a table in a far corner of the food court and sit with a notebook and a pen and make up stories about interesting characters around me. Really, who wants to waste time shopping for clothes and costume jewelry when you can spend an afternoon writing? Not this girl.
Since we’ve been mired in a heatwave for days now, we thought it might be nice to get out of the house for a bit today and head to mall. Cadence has been needing a new pair of shoes, so it was a perfect excuse. We stopped by the food court for a bite to eat, and then thought we would let our little Energizer Bunny run off some steam in the children’s playground before we went to find some new shoes.
One of the best things about having a toddler is watching her begin to assert her independence and conquer the world–or, in Cadence’s case, the big bridge at the playground. She had a blast! Climbing up…
Sliding down…
Climbing up…
Showing off standing at the top…
Jumping down, ninja style…
Trying to climb up a different way…
Climbing up on the bench to take s short break with Daddy…
Climbing up…
Sliding and crashing to the bottom.
Even after losing her balance and taking a nasty stumble down the stairs, Cadence just laughed, got up, and climbed right back to the top. She’s one tough little cookie!
After a few times climbing through the tunnel, Cadence was finally tired and hot and ready to call it quits, so we headed off to find some new shoes.
We browsed a few stores until we finally found what we were looking for…a pair of pink Converse just Cadence’s size. Yeah, I said pink. Contrary to popular belief, just because I am not a fan of pink and would never choose to wear it myself (except for those few years in college that I dyed my hair hot pink), I am not opposed to putting pink on my daughter. Hell, it’s almost impossible to have a daughter and not have her wear something pink at one time or another. Plus, they’re Converse, so even if they are pink, they are cool.
After trying on her shoes and modeling them for the sales girls at J.C. Penney, Cadence insisted on carrying her own bag and walking through the mall back to the car.
Is it just me, or does this photo sort of resemble some of those paparazzi photos taken of celebrities when they venture out to their local malls to do a little shopping. Who knows, maybe one day, our little Cadence will be famous, and it won’t just be her crazy photographer mother snapping photos of her in public.
By the time we got back to the car, we were all hot, tired, and ready to head back home. When I glanced back and saw this, I knew it was only a matter of time before our little Energizer Bunny crashed for her afternoon nap. And I started counting. One…
Two…
Three…
Four…
Five…
Six…
Seven…
Eight…
Nine…
Ten…
Out like a light before we even had a chance to turn out of the parking lot. It was a big day for a little girl.
Today’s 365 Project is dedicated to a fun day hanging out with our little Mallrat.
Lori Romano 
What a fun day! I love the picture of Cadence in the tunnel. She is growing up very fast. I can’t wait to see the new shoes. I’m sure her Daddy was excited you found converse shoes for her. Love you!
She is growing up waaaaaay too fast! Her Daddy is definitely excited about the Converse! Can’t wait to get some photos of her wearing them!
This one made my morning Lori! So incredibly cute…!!! I can’t believe how big she’s getting; I hate to admit that my parents were right when I was younger, but now that I’m getting old, time’s not standing still for much at all! Hope the house hunting is going well!
🙂 Cassie
Thanks Cassie! You’re definitely right about time not standing still! I wish it would though, or at the very least, slow down just a little!