Girls Night Out--Payne Style

Tonight was Girls Night Out (or in, as the case may be). John took Adam to the fathers and sons campout, so we had to take advantage. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do, but finally I figured something out.

First, my mom came down and we went shopping. I took the girls to the dollar store and let each one pick out something. I paired them up in partners and drilled them that they were only getting one thing, or nothing if they threw a fit. It went as well as can be expected. Nobody threw fits and we made it out of the store after only about a half an hour (I think it helped that I told them I was only walking through the aisles once and once I reached the last one, if you hadn't decided, you weren't getting anything). It probably would have been much worse without my mom, but it worked out ok. I think the girls had fun. Maybe what they picked is telling: Kate- sunglasses, Mary-a glass birthstone plaque, Emma-a teddy bear, Ruth- a foil balloon all covered in flowers and butterflies, and Lily-a package of Lays Stax.

Next, after a couple brief stops where I ran in and my mom stayed with the girls in the car, we went to Wendys and the girls got to pick one thing for the main entree at dinner. Then we came home and supplemented with chips.

And we topped off the night by having popcorn mixed with M&Ms, a Payne family tradition, and watching the classic chick flick, Anne of Green Gables. The girls are finally old enough to truly appreciate it and it has been fun to watch it together. Their favorite part so far seems to be when Anne finds the mouse in the pudding. Big hit!! I do love my girls!!