Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Mall Hunt Birthday Fun!!


We had a great time celebrating Tally's 10th birthday in an unusual way. A party is the norm for us and this year, it was just too much for me to pull off (I have a hard time doing a small scale party ~ I tend to go all out and create more work than necessary for myself). Knowing that about myself and with the traveling out of town to see Chuck and all the guests we have had lately, we decided to do a Mall Hunt Birthday.













Tally was given clues to different stores along with a map of the mall and she had to go find the store. Sometimes her clue included money (a $10 since she is 10). Then at the store, she could pick out a gift. With the money she got, she was had the option of staying with in her budget (anything she didn't spend she could keep). If she wanted to spend more than the $10, she could dip into her other birthday money that she had gotten from grandparents.













Her clues lead her to a book store to pick out books. She got her 2 favorite Magic Tree House books. 2 for under ten bucks, not bad.

Both girls also got to pick out new t-shirts from the Disney store (compliments of Aunt Susi).

A unusual stop for us...the gumball machines.This clue included quarters for the gumball machines. We all sampled the sugar overload.











Both of the girls had been looking forward to new Webkinz. Their accounts were about to expire. Considering the hours of fun you can get for a ten dollar toy, not a bad investment. On this clue, Tissy was also included in being aloud to pick a Lil' Kinz.










The biggest highlight of the day was a trip to Libby Lou. We have never been to this little girl make-over salon. Oh, my, were we in for a surprise. If you are unfamiliar with this place check out the web site HERE. Both of the girls were able to get the basic package which includes a hair do, nails, and a bag full of glittery girly goodies.



















To be totally honest...this place felt like it went against everything that I stand for. It was really fun for the girls and I am so glad that a place like this is such a treat for them (we hardly even go to the mall). But this salon has this atmosphere of trying to make your little girls older than they are. While we were waiting there was a party of preschool age girls all dressed up and dolled up and working these dance moves out in the middle of the mall for their parents to video tape. Somehow it seemed unnatural and slightly creepy.












OK, off my soap box (which I am sure I offended someone out there with my opinion rant in the previous paragraph). It was fun to watch the girls get their hair done in these fancy up-dos. I watched carefully to see if I could recreate the hair style at home (by the way...I can). Both Chuck (being the only Dad in the salon) and my sister Susan (who has 3 boys) were good sports. The music was pretty loud in there and we were glad when it was time to move on to the next stop in the Mall Hunt.

After lunch in the food court and a treat at Cinabon, we were just about done and ready to head home. The girls spent most of their birthday money on Calico Critters (a very sweet toy ~post to come later).This was a huge hit and they have been playing with them ever since. One last stop at Clair's for new necklaces (big sis and little sis ones). Tally said this was her favorite birthday and Tissy was hoping that she could also have a Mall Hunt birthday (um, maybe when she turns 10 ~ I need time to recover). All in all, it was a really easy way to have the celebration seem really special to Tally and be easy on me for planning. What surprised me was how tired we all were from walking around the mall for 4 hours. It was like breathing a sigh of relief when we drove "back out into the country" to head home. (Can you tell I am not a shopper???)

23 comments:

Christy said...

What a great idea. I'm going to have to call you and get the details on that one as I have a birthday boy in December who doesn't want a party. Once again, Happy Birthday Tally.

Salzwedel Family said...

Sounds like a great time! I agree with your statement about people trying to make their girls look older...sigh. I'm glad my girl likes looking her age.

A Girl, her God, and a Gift! said...

That's the most clever birthday idea that I've heard of in a while... sounds like so much fun.

Rachael said...

What a great idea, you are so clever! I bet my girls would love a party like that! I'm like you though, in that 4 hours at the mall would wear me out. I guess thats the trade-off for not having to cook and decorate! :)

Ginny said...

What a great birthday idea! I am looking forward to your calico critters post, I think those are really cute. I look forward to Lark being old enough to play with them.

~S~~~~~ said...

i'm so glad Chuck was able to be home to celebrate Tissy's birthday!

~S~~~~~ said...

so my brain has decided that it doesn't want to function properly today and i totally wrote the wrong daughter down... so lets rewrite this comment and disregard the other one....
I'm so glad that Chuck was able to be there to celebrate Tally's birthday with you guys!

fitncrafty said...

This looks like a fabulous day! What fun!

Anonymous said...

Tally will always remember her
10th birthday which is what you want. You did good. What great fun!!!

Lee and Bev said...

Thanks for the great pictures! I feel like we were right there with you! I'm only good for about 2 hours a time at the mall myslef, so I understand your fatigue and desire to head home. Great birthday idea for a 10 year old!

K-Sue said...

What a great day! The girls look cute, cute, cute - and I know they are always sweet, sweet, sweet. You all have really enjoyed having Aunt Susi. Y'all are the family of the 1000-watt smiles!

We dropped in Libby Lu once when we were at an out-of-town mall. I was stressin' to get outa there! Glitter overload!

Tim and Susan said...

Still recovering from the mall headache I have to admit...but it was fun and a great way and simple way to celebrate a birthday on a rainy Saturday afternoon. Maybe we'll try that, although we'll hit the Sports store instead of the hair salon, too much glitter! (smile) Loving that cinnabun!

oneblessedmamma said...

Too fun! My mom took Mimi to Libby Lu's once for her birthday and she loved it. If she wanted to look like that everyday we'd have problems, but once or twice in a lifetime I imagine is okay :-)

Cindy said...

What a fabulous fun idea; you are so clever! I agree with you on the girls-dressing-up-thing and I don't even have a girl! But I guess it's okay as long as it's only once-in-a- (great)-while!

Lulu said...

Oh, I am so excited to steal your idea for my girls! A shopping birthday would be their ideal!

I'm with you on Libby Lu...too much, too young. And the wrong focus. I like them to pretend Little House girls, so we'll stick to that! ;)

Annie said...

That sounds like a lot of fun. Maybe I'll try this myself!

Julie said...

How cool! It looks like such a fun day!! Happy Birthday Tally!

5Gustos said...

I'm SO glad her Dad and Aunt could be here to celebrate it with her too!

Tiffany said...

This is what Hannah now wants to do for her tenth birthday. I think it would be a lot of fun. Thanks for the great ideas!

Cheryl said...

if this wasn't a "big" thing, you must really go all out when you plan!!

Chuck Peters said...

It's amazing to me how overwhelming the "mall experience" was! The sights... the sounds... the smells... it was quite a sensory overload! -- I guess we need to go back to the hills where we came from! LOL

~cp

Anonymous said...

awesome idea!!!

I may use this one, we don't do birthday parties... we do special things like this as a family.

Dawn S. said...

First of all, it's your blog and you can fill it up with your opinions and rants! :) Secondly, I agree with you regarding society's push for kids to grow up so fast, but for a special treat like a birthday I would likely take my girls there, too! It's a balance. (my rule of thumb is that people shouldn't let their girls do stuff before 8 that they won't let them do after 12 - short skirts, two piece suits, dark polish, etc.)