Sunday, July 21, 2002
Dale: Friday we scooted out of the house. I was able to leave work a little early, and I picked up Heather and Maddie. I suggested going someplace Heather hadn't been to for a while (as long as it doesn't involve needles, Maddie's pretty flexible about locations). We settled on window shopping at Oakland Mall. It would give us a chance to walk, talk and keep us out of the heat. Plus, Maddie would love it because she can't get enough of the lights, colors, and people. We trooped around the mall, Maddie smiling benevolently from her stroller, like Cleopatra from her litter, as we gazed at the shops. She eventually insisted on getting out when we stopped at the Payless. I put her on my shoulders, which ensures that any/all of the following will happen: Daddy will get kicked in the chest, Madeleine will tear the glasses off his head and put baby print smudges on the lenses, Daddy will get slapped repeatedly about the head and shoulders, Madeleine will attempt to pull merchandise off the shelves, Madeleine will test her lungs with a lengthy happy shriek. All of the above happened this time. Ah, well. It allowed Heather to do some real shopping, and talk with a pair of young mothers. I was able to talk with one of them, a friendly lady efficiently policing her three children, including a baby in a car seat. She rained compliments on Maddie, and her youngest was a cutie, too. I'll let Heather tell you about her conversations, if she wants.
We then strolled to a music store, where all of us passed on purchases, although Maddie thought one of the Cyndi Lauper CDs had an interesting flavor. Finally, we stopped at the Borders, where we bought something for our child, who you by now understand suffers from Dickensian levels of deprivation. We broke down and bought her a Madeline doll and story book. Everyone else thinks we named her because of the cartoon character (which isn't all bad, I suppose). Madeleine is French for Magdalen, as in St. Mary Magdalen, Heather's favorite saint. Now she has another doll, and we have Book #157 we can read to her. I bought #158 yesterday, but more on that later.
We then strolled to a music store, where all of us passed on purchases, although Maddie thought one of the Cyndi Lauper CDs had an interesting flavor. Finally, we stopped at the Borders, where we bought something for our child, who you by now understand suffers from Dickensian levels of deprivation. We broke down and bought her a Madeline doll and story book. Everyone else thinks we named her because of the cartoon character (which isn't all bad, I suppose). Madeleine is French for Magdalen, as in St. Mary Magdalen, Heather's favorite saint. Now she has another doll, and we have Book #157 we can read to her. I bought #158 yesterday, but more on that later.
