Malcolm Family News: Minneapolis Getaway

We spent the weekend in Minneapolis with Rachel and Tyson. We headed out early Friday afternoon. Ava did great in the car on the way up. We stopped outside of Medford for a snack and to let her play at the McDonald's playland for a little bit. Rachel and Dora kept her entertained in the back. Friday night when we arrived we checked into our hotel and ordered pizza from a local pizza place. It was delicious. Our hotel also had a really neat indoor park area attached to it so Rachel, Ava and I went to check it out while the guys drank beer in the room. The park was for a little bit older kids, but we had a good time walking around and letting Ava run and stretch her legs a little bit. She slept great that evening.

Saturday we went to Ikea for breakfast and then spent a few hours there shopping around. Tyson and Rachel were on the hunt for a few furniture pieces for their home. We weren't looking for anything in particular, but always love to get ideas and see what they have. Ava did pretty good at Ikea. Although, she wanted to walk by herself most of the time. I also learned something new while visiting Ikea. They have a play area for kids that you can drop your kids off while you shop! We didn't do that, but something to keep in mind for future shopping trips!

After Ava's brief nap in the van, we headed to the Mall of America. We had lunch at Hooter's (Tyson's choice), but it was good. Ava especially loved the fried pickles. And the dill pickle spears. What can I say? The girl loves pickles! She even stole half of mine right off of my plate! After we ate lunch, Rachel, Ava and I headed to the aquarium. Tyson didn't want to go and Darren decided he would stay back with him. We waited in line for the aquarium for about 45 minutes or so and then spent two hours in the aquarium itself. Ava loved watching the fish, especially in the underground tunnel area.

When we were done in the aquarium, Darren had a surprise for Ava. A Dora stuffed doll. She loved it. We shared some ice cream and then headed to the opposite side of the mall to visit a couple stores. On our way back to the van we spotted a life sized Dora character in the middle of the mall. The line to meet her wasn't even very long. I kept asking Ava if she wanted to see Dora, "Yeah, yeah" shaking her head yes. She kept peeking at her and trying to see her while we were in line. But as soon as it got to be our turn, Ava was shy and a little scared of Dora. We took a couple pictures and started walking away. You could see Ava's little mind working, and she realized she missed her chance. Tears! She turned around and starting walking back into the area that Dora was standing. Luckily, the tears didn't last long. I am so amazed at this, because it such a grown up thing to do. My baby is turning into such a sweet little girl.

Saturday evening I met up with an old co-worker, Tricia for a couple drinks at a local wine bar. It was nice seeing her and catching up. I was surprised to see when I got back to the hotel room around 10:30, Ava was still up and having the time of her life! The girl only took at 45 minute nap that day! She went to bed soon after I got back and then the four of us stayed up pretty late playing various card games.

Sunday on the drive back we stopped in Medford. The weather wasn't the greatest and we were all ready to get home so we went in a few stores and got back on the road. The funniest thing about Sunday was our lunch at Wendy's. Since Ava loves things like pickles and tomatoes, we thought we'd see if she would also like onions. Rachel took her onion off of her sandwich and handed it to Ava (with a little ketchup and mustard left on it). Ava took it in both hands, looked at it, and proceeded to put it on her ponytail on top of her head! NO! NO! NO! We all shouted. My sensitive little girl had her feelings hurt so bad by this! Her lip started to quiver and boy did the tears flow. She must have thought it was some kind of hair tie?!