(For the record, I can’t pronounce the title of this blog without getting tongue twisted. Go ahead, try it – I bet you can’t either.)
Yesterday, we had a blissfully wonderful Memorial Day family outing to the mall.
Now, in Birmingham, although we DO have multiple choices, “The Mall” automatically means The Riverchase Galleria.
It’s the heaven of the mall world – completely gargantuan, with (nearly) every store that you could possibly want housed in it’s unbelievably huge glass structure.
I had an amazingly satisfying shopping experience – it was one of those rare days where I had spending money AND I found stuff that I wanted.
(Usually those two states of being are QUITE mutually exclusive.)
Plus, besides those two unusual things coming together, the Memorial Day bargains were amazing. So all three factors made for a VERY, VERY deliriously happy mall trip. In fact, I spent $155.16 and SAVED $237.65. An average savings of 60%!!
So of course, I bragged to Chris, “Aren’t you impressed? I can go the the mall and SAVE over two hundred dollars!!! How many wives go to the mall and SAVE money?”
Of course, he rolled his eyes. But it was, after all, MY spending money, so he was perfectly happy for me (THIS is why you should BUDGET, people!! Never ever argue about money again!!).
Anyway. I quite seriously digressed. Back to our glorious mall.
Right in the middle of it is a carousel:
Ali’s never been much of a carousel girl, so I don’t usually push it. We sit near it to eat and she enjoys watching it go around, but she has no interest in being ON it as it rotates on it’s axis much faster than her little cautious self prefers to go.
However, today she must’ve been in an adventurous mood.
Maybe my shopping euphoria rubbed off on her.
She actually ASKED to ride the carousel. I, of course, was so amazed that I immediately agreed.
The Galleria carousel is an animal one, as most are. All of the animals are quite normal – giraffes, elephants, lions, tigers, horses. . .
Except for one.
And that one has ALWAYS perplexed me greatly.
It was as if the carousel creator was completely sober while making all of the animals, but then unfortunately got very, very high right before making the frog.
Because, you see, the frog has a duck head coming out of his butt, surrounded by a wreath of daisies.
And a ladybug.
And, much to my excitement, Ali picked this animal, of all of the numerous choices, as her steed of choice:
So there you have it. Who else can say that they have had their bum and their daughter’s bum photographed with a duck-butted frog?
Had the carousel creator been there, I’m pretty sure this is what we would have looked like to him: 
Okay, I have seen (and been on) that carasol many times and have never noticed that. Very strange. I will have to point it out to the children next time. My boys will have a time.
Hi Rachel,
That was so funny to read and you were right. It was difficult to say the post title too fast. My syllables were getting all jumbled.
We’ve been away recently and before that I wasn’t reading anyones blogs consistently. So don’t take it personally. I love your blog, your crazy, quirky titles, and all that you have to share.
Talk soon…
That mall is HUGE! It’s so pretty. Sounds like you found some awesome bargains.
What IS up with that frog? :)
I have noticed that before. I was just like…. what in the world?! and then quickly forgot. I love how you find humor in so many things…I bet you are a great ‘pick-me-up’ kinda person.
I haven’t ever noticed that animal and we’re at the Galleria weekly. We’ll have to check it out next time we’re there.
LOL! Yep, I got tongue tied saying the post title…
The Galleria….my favorite place!
I have never seen frogduckbutt, as my son prefers to go up and down in the glass elevator.
How is it that my kids have been on that thing 7,852 times and I’ve never noticed that? WOW. That is kinda disturbing.
How weird is that?
And I too love the Galleria. It is a great mall!
You gotta wonder what kind of people make those carousel animals.
Wow, that is an impressive mall! We don’t have anything like that here! We especially have no frogs with ducks coming out of their butts. :)
Good job on the savings! I love a good deal!
oh my! that’s too funny. i don’t think i’ve ever even noticed the frog when i’ve been there.
Look! I’m commenting today! It doesn’t mean I’m back to commenting every time, though…
I too, got tongue-tied trying to say the title, and I have never noticed the duck-butted frog. That is very, very weird.
That is a very strange looking creature. And being as all the rest are normal I do not know what to think. apparently, it attracted Ali’s attention. LYB
really cute story!
Never seen that frog…. I guess I’ve been lucky. It is quite creepy!
Nice looking mall. Great job on the savings! Men just don’t understand money. ;-)
Glad you had a nice day! With all this Alabama blogging going on, you’re making me sad I’m not from the South.
-FringeGirl
Hi, Rachel, it’s nice to meet another B’ham girl. Maybe one of these days we’ll all meet in person. You know, I’ve only been to the Riverchase Galleria one time. You’ll know why if you read my blog. I’m not a mall person. :)
Great Post!
That’s my favorite animal to ride…..or to get Courtney to ride! I usually try to talk her into it.
OMG that's hilarious
Even though this post is 3 1/2 years old it made me laugh out loud! Thanks for the laugh:)
Crazy!! We have a mall in Alpharetta Ga with what must be this same carousel. We have frogduckbutt also!! Our family rode it last night for the hundreth time and my wife commented about always thinking it was weird but I had never noticed it before.
Sorry for the late reply. But that’s fascinating! It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside that our frogduckbutt has a family member out there somewhere…