Fargo ND

It is done. And what a trip it was. Here is the Play by Play. And I am so Okay if you skip this, as I just can’t see this as being interesting to anyone else but here goes....


So Our Plan was to get up early and be on our way early, as there is this Children’s Museum in Fargo that looked really cool, and since we couldn’t check into the Hotel until 4pm we had some time to kill. Well I slept until 8:30am, Kezia our little pill was up all night, And So We left town here at around 9:30am.(note: it is approximately a 3 hr trip not accounting for any delay at the boarder) Not too bad, until we get to the border. It took us an hour plus to get through, and at some point you have to commit to a line of cars, which we happen to pick the agent who was letting one car for every 4 cars the other agents were letting through. And eventually they let us through. Getting through the border always fascinates our kids. How come we have to stop???, what are they asking ??? Why do they want to know where we are going??? and on and on....

It was like a flood of Canadians heading for shopping paradise. We stopped in Grand Forks for lunch, and no kidding it was full of Manitoba License Plates. We even ran into people we knew at Burger King.( I should let all my American Friends Know that It was a 4 day weekend here, and that’s why all the extra travelers) And an hour later(2:30pm) we were in Fargo, ND And No, neither Jerry Lundegaard nor Brainerd's police chief, Marge Gunderson were nowhere to be seen. All was quiet in Fargo.

When we arrived we had some time before check in, and since it was cool and windy we opted out of the Children’s Museum and headed straight for Target!! I Love Target. The kids all bought new bathing suits, Aphra found some shirts and Capri’s, Corbin Found a star wars T-shirt. Just fun little stuff. We then checked out Fargo, and plotted our strategy. So many places to go... and so little time. Old Navy, Krispy Kreme, The Mall, Cold Stone Creamery, the list goes on and on... We had our work cut out for us.

We Checked into our Hotel, The Holiday Inn. We chose this hotel because it had a pirate ship and water slides and thought it would be cool for the kids. Well maybe cool for Mahlon. Oops sorry Aphra, and Corbin. But they managed to have a good time anyways. They Swam on and off all weekend, in what I hear was a very cold pool. The best thing about the Holiday Inn, Kids Eat Free. So we ate here all weekend! It was great!

We don’t have cable at home, so that was a big hit in the Room, it was Disney Channel 24/7. I now know all the principals in “That’s So Raven” and “The Suite Life of Zach and Cody”. Things no adult needs to know.

Saturday Night we thought we would go to Wal-Mart and pick up some snacks, And we came across two Yummy things, first was Land -O -lakes Chocolate Milk, Normally not a really a big fan, But It was very yummy. And the second? Before I confess, Aphra’s friends family often brings this back from the states and we have been unable to find it until now. Okay its cheese in a squirt can. Kraft “easy cheese” And It took me a bit to work up the nerve to eat it. But it was like a monster was unleashed! Yummy!!!! It was so good; we brought 3 cans home, heaven for only $1.44 a can. Kraft Easy Cheese. Then we headed over to Krispy Kreme, when we saw the “Hot and Ready” Light turn on, and grabbed a dozen hot glazed doughnuts. And incase you haven’t figured it out, Eating is a very Big Part of our Trip.

One of the great things about shopping in the U.S. is the deals. I have often found kids clothing for $1.99. You have to be careful, with exchange something’s will cost you more. So I have rules, okay 1 major rule:

1) Never pay full price- never ever.

Okay: Best shopping moment: JC Penny, I was getting a little depressed as I was not finding any great deals, And then Aphra and I hit the Mall. I was looking for summer out fits for Kezia, and I came across the prettiest ‘Carter’s’ (which is the nicest cotton ever) summer rompers, and they were on sale, ½ price!! So I bought 3 of them. Then I found this clearance rack with Osh Kosh @ less than 75% off. I couldn’t believe it I was freaking out. Then when I got to the till, the clerk told me if I spent $50, I would get $10 off. YAHOOOO!!!! I was so excited. I was freaking out, and Aphra was so embarrassed. I turned to the Lady behind me and I said”I know you don’t care, but I am getting such a good deal here!!” It was at that point Aphra was ready to leave; all she could say to me after was “I was so embarrassed” Oh well, too bad. Kezia ended up with 3 Carters rompers and a ton of Osh Kosh and to put me over the $50 mark I bought Aphra the cutest Panties (how about that for Embarrassing!!). It was great!

Corbin’s big score was his Star Wars Blaster. He has every light saber in every color, but the blaster has always eluded hum! Until he found it at Toys r Us. Good for Him bad for us. “PA Ching... PA Ching”(Suppose to be the sound of a blaster, be thankful it’s not at your house.)

So Monday Afternoon After the kids swam, we ate again, and after we checked out we headed over to the Mall. And at a sporting good store the Kids found Heelys where their dad bought Aphra and Corbin a pair. cool. No major injuries yet.

Then we headed back Home, but not before we made a final stop at Cold Stone Creamery, in Grand Forks. It was heaven. Corbin had Cotton Candy Ice Cream with Twix Bar. Mahlon Had Cotton Candy with gummie Bears, and Aphra had Strawberry Ice Cream (Not sure what she mixed in.) But they make their Ice cream fresh Everyday, then they Mix your choice on this cold stone and dish it for you, it was very cool. That was our first time there. And it won’t be our last! Yummy yummy. Yes, again with the food. . .

Then we had one final stop which turned out to be a night mare. We had a Two Hour Plus wait to get back into Canada. It was hot: 25 degrees. It was unbelievable. And the line never seemed to get any shorter, cars just kept coming. I was very thankful to have a van so that the kids could move around a bit. And we encountered no problems returning, very thankful for that!

The kids had a great Trip, Mahlon returned with some new toys as well, and lots of swimming hours logged. As we were leaving he was begging for us to stay at the Hotel. I am glad they had so much fun. Maybe we can plan again for next year, but maybe we’ll take on Minneapolis!