Will's Surprise Entry: The Dad's Take

I'm going to use my break (which I never actually take) to write about our trip to the mall.
I carried him all the way to Finish Line to make the return because I knew once I put him down, he'd be off and running. Sure enough, when I signed the receipt for the return I put him down and he sprinted for the door. The day before, he enjoyed going inside the circle of clothes (what kid doesn't?), but he decided he just wanted to leave. I pretty much let him go wherever he wanted. I only picked him up when a gaggle of teens were sprinting through. It's not the Jewelry he like, it was the stands with the reflections that he really dug. He also made a point to stop at Hot Topic. He got his groove on with the music. He met a boy around the same age and they looked and poked each other. They actually got a decent crowd of people awwwing at them. Eventually Jason decided he like his 3 yr old sister better and would have followed her if given the chance.
We skipped the playground because it was too crowded. We spent the longest time at Kay-bee Toys. He likes the ball tower. He pulls them out the bottom and I throw them back over the top. It never ends. After that I went to look at shoes at Mervyns. I looked at shoes and he looked at bras. It was actually kinda difficult. "That" section has lots of skinny aisles and stuff where I can't follow him easily. I got really close to buying some running shoes, but I didn't.
Anyway, Kristin's right - on the way to the car, he didn't want to walk anymore. I'd put him down and he'd come right back to me and ask to be picked up. It's always nice as a dad to know that you wore out your kid with fun.
PS - I forgot to tell Kristin, but he was REALLY good about leaving stores. I didn't want him in certain stores and I'd just say "Out, out, out!" and steer him. He didn't protest at all. He usually makes his funny "Du-du-du-du!" noise when he isn't happy with us.

PSS - my new shoes.