Hill Billys

Last month my husband took a day off work and decided it would be fun to take the kids somewhere. The weather was in the hundreds so we decided to take them to some unique stores in Raleigh where the heat would not be so bad. The first shopping center we stopped at is one that had really become run down until a few years ago when they revamped the whole structure. Evidently it is now the richy rich area of town complete with upscale living spaces above the shops and a two story grocery store connected to them. (Here's a link.)When we got there, I noticed that just about every shopper was dressed up and their children were too. That was the first time I've ever felt out of my league at a regular shopping mall. We took the kids to a really neat toy store and candy shop. As we were looking at all the neat items, Zach added to my discomfort by saying over and over quite loudly, "MAN! I wish I lived in Raleigh. Man, I wish I lived in Raleigh! Don't you, Mom?" My response was, "Don't be so loud, Zach."

After shopping, we enjoyed a wonderful lunch a the Q shack, a place I would highly recommend. It has delicious food and if you buy the child sized plate, it has wonderful prices. Don't worry the child plate has more than enough to eat. As we left the restaurant to head back to our vehicle in the parking deck we got on the escalators where my humiliation was made complete. I had my two youngest daughters with me and my husband had the two older children. The two younger ones were scared to death to get on the first step, so I took both of their hands and took the plunge. When I stepped on, they jerked their hands out of mine and stayed at the top yelling, "Mamma! Mamma!" I then had to turn around and run up the down escalator to rescue them. Just one more little thing to keep me humble. I was relieved to note that the next shopping center we went to was full of non dressed up children. Lesson learned. Put church clothes and a hair bow on my kids the next time we go to North Hills Mall.