Plano, TX August 2009 Trip Report
So as I had mentioned on Friday, this weekend we drove down to Plano, TX where my sister lives and spent the weekend with her.
On the drive down, the kids did very well, especially for a 3-hour drive. We started at Sonic (half-price slushies) to get them started. We had more snacks for them later down the road and we brought our travel DVD players as well.
We made it to Mary's house in good time and then went to eat at Mr. Gatti's Pizza in McKinney (about 10 miles north/northeast of Plano). Before leaving, the kids got some Mickey Mouse Clubhouse temporary tattoos from a machine (more on those later)
On the way back, we stopped at the Allen Outlet Center to hit two stores. First, the Children's Place where we loaded up on some cute clothes for the kids for the fall. And then, Bridgette popped into Carter's to get a gift for a friend.
Then, back to Mary's to relax for the rest of the night.
Saturday morning -- got up, got dressed, got some doughnuts at a place called Shipley's Donuts. They were pretty good.
Then, time to head over to IKEA (a must-do anytime we come down to see Mary).
Here's a cute story that I believe relates to the children's play area that IKEA has....
That said, the insect problem at IKEA has definitely gotten way out of hand.
Now that we're in the store, time to head up to the cafeteria (since we were there about 30 minutes early). While waiting, Samantha decided to check out Aunt Mary's Winnie the Pooh earrings.
Once we started shopping, we of course, found lots of great things that we mostly couldn't afford or didn't have room for.
We did see this, though, and Bridgette made me take a picture so we could potentially duplicate at some point
The kids found some chairs they really liked and very quickly noticed a play area when we came upon one
In the above photos, you can see Joshua showing off his temporary tattoo. In her chair picture, you may notice Samantha's on her leg (she liked to call it her "tic-tac-toe")
Well, we finally managed to make it out of that wonderful store....and here was our haul
Then, over to the Stonebriar Mall for a food court lunch and a stop at (of course) The
Disney Store.....where we were happy to see R.J., the store manager there. Bridgette used to work with him when they were both at the Disney Store in Oklahoma City (some 6-8 years ago). After the mall, the kids wanted to get back to Mary's house, but we stopped at one more place....The Container Store. Some good stuff in there, but some of it is WAY over-priced.
We then took a couple hours just to relax at Mary's. Joshua got his birthday presents from Mary on this day (since she wasn't able to come up for his party). The first gift was Jenga...I didn't think Joshua would be old enough to handle this tricky game, but he surprised me....he was much better than I expected. Meanwhile, Bridgette read her current Nicholas Sparks book and Samantha spent a little time on brother's Leapster.
Around dinnertime, we headed back out and drove-thru Wendy's to get the kids some nuggets. Then, off to Central Market (no pictures here unfortunately....my camera battery died during the afternoon......oops!) We LOVE this place. Because of Oklahoma laws, we don't get a supercool grocery store like this....so, we have to wait until Plano trips to get to visit. Mary, Bridgette, and I ate dinner here and then let the kids spend a few minutes having fun on the playground.
Then, off to shop for some fresh and organic foods.
Once done, we headed back to Mary's again....and the kids (after a very long and busy day) went to sleep VERY easily.
Then...Sunday morning. Sunday was the 90-day mark for our November trip, so I had plans of getting up extra early to get ADR's set. I was hoping to do 5am online reservations, but apparently my sister's internet has not been working for a week. So, instead....6am phone reservations. I slept fitfully during the night (I'm typically a very sound sleeper) because I was constantly fearful that I had slept in past the 6am time. LOLOLOLOL
But, woke up on time, called in and after waiting on hold for about 10 seconds, got a CM. We quickly got my ADR's booked (details to come later) and then I just read for awhile.
Went off to church a little later....afterward, got packed up and left Mary's....knowing that the next time we see here, we'll be in Florida!!!!
On the way out to get in the van, I look and see Samantha....across the little side street, peacefully sitting on the curb. (So pretty!)
Joshua ran over and I snapped one of both of them
Before leaving Texas, we went back to IKEA one more time
The kids had a great time entertaining each other. I managed to snap a picture of them while playing that they were "glued together"
After that....back to Oklahoma. It was a fun weekend.
The kids were good on the way back, but sadly for them, the DVD players didn't work. Oh well....they are good at entertaining each other.
Don't leave those notes laying around!!!
will help alleviate some of the normal tension that arises from spending excess time with the grandparents.
It's great you're having a 'kids choice' day.
Plane leaves at 6pm, which means get ready for Magical Express by 2:30-3:00pm, which means....PLENTY of time left to party in Walt Disney World! 
