Girls conquer the Mall

Olivia and her friend Katy and Katy's friend Melina hatched a plan last week, while at the Howard County Fair together. They thought it would be the best of fun to go to the Mall together.  So, as Olivia and Melina were sleeping over at Katy's house on Saturday night, after our cookout at Katy's, I offered to collect them this morning (well, it was pretty much noon, but who's counting!) and take them to the Mall to shop together - on the condition that I didn't have to go around with them. Looks to me like they won! (Odd photo, I realise now - looks like they are at a building site - this is because they are rebuilding a section of Columbia Mall... Anyway.)  Katy and Melina were able to help Olivia go to all the best shops (the 13YO definition of "best" differing from mine, somewhat) and they apparently had a great time, which in the end, is all that matters.

My mom, Sarah, Alex and I began our own Mall adventures by getting some lunch in the Food Court, and then we browsed various places, including the Game Stop for Alex and the Vans shop. 

I was sorely tempted by these Liberty print Vans, but resisted. Alex and Sarah each got a pair of shoes (but not the Liberty print ones) - Sarah actually got the tuquoise blue ones you can just see on the shelf below these Liberty ones. Alex's are black with a little white. We did spend time looking and buying a few things - my mom wanted a shirt to match a jacket, for instance, and we browsed the Macy's sale, where you never quite know what things will cost until they ring them up - but we also spent a big chunk of time at the end eating pretzels or frozen yogurt...