Back To School Shopping

     Twenty-Seven.
     Two of my four sibling are sisters, one in Cleveland, the other in North Carolina. This blog takes place in N.C.
     She has three royal offspring: eldest is a princess, then two princes. Every year for perhaps half a dozen I went down for a summertime excursion. My first visit, in '95(?), saw me being received by a Princess who must have been around ten, The Crown Prince of eight and the Younger Prince who would have been maybe six or so. The kids and I were very comfortable with each other as we lived a mile apart 'till they moved down South in 93. There were numerous visits at other times of year as well, but these summertime excursions took on a specific tone over time.
      That first year Sis convinced me what a joy it would be to take them Back To School shopping. Have you ever taken three young kids to the mall all at the same time? If you have, we speak the same language. If you haven't, oh, it's a joy!!! Thankfully, the kids and I just loved each other (still do), so their behavior wasn't as horrid as it could've been. But still, it was rough.
     For some reason though, my sister liked the idea so much that every summer itinerary thereafter included my taking them clothing shopping.
     Over time, a few patterns emerged: concerning the Princess - Of all my nieces and nephews she's the style maven. She inherited my interest in fashion and design. Thankfully, her current career in finance is well paying. The Crown Prince - if it was ever clean, he'll wear it. If he has a date with a young lady, perhaps he'll tuck his shirt in. He's in school to become a nuclear engineer; engineers are known for their jeans. The younger Prince - he hates clothing. He hated it then and he still hates it. If he could spend all day in the buff, he would. He was the most difficult to shop with 'cause he was simply offended by the whole concept of clothing. A few times he's left Western civilization to go surfing; when you're surfing by yourself in Indonesia or Nicaragua you don't wear clothing. He's also in engineering school, so he'll be stuck in jeans too. Pity.
     I do believe though, that bonding at the mall can be very fun. We really did have a blast. When developing a relationship with a kid, you simply have got to go to them. If you wait for the kid to meet you halfway, the relationship won't ever exist. Back To School shopping is a perfect excuse to hang out with your kids.