Mall Rats

If we don't get out of the house at least once a day Baby M gets very cranky. We generally go to the park or library but I am always looking for interesting places to take Baby M, preferably places that are nearby and free. Last week we did a free trial class at Gymboree. Baby M had a blast climbing over the mats, chasing after balls and blowing bubbles. He especially liked climbing headfirst into an inner tube and then curling up like a bug in the middle. I considered signing him up for their program, but it is $74 a month plus a one time $50 membership fee which is a little more than I wanted to spend. However, once the weather gets bad $74 a month to avoid seeing Mr. Crankypants might be worth it. In addition to the weekly class the Gymboree membership also includes "free play" times so we could visit a couple of times a week.

Another fun excursion we had recently was to Westside Pavilion. This mall is often overrun with stroller pushing moms and nannies, but now that school and pre-school has started up it is a little less crazy. I think mall activity is in a lull before the holiday madness starts up. Anyway, we started out at the Three Cheeky Monkeys toy store where we bought some stomp rockets for a friend's upcoming 4th birthday and Baby M got to play with some wooden trains, ride a Rody and laugh at a wacky puppet. Next we headed over to the food court so Baby M could toddle around on a giant banana and crawl through an enormous soda cup. This was his first time in the mall play area; up until now I've felt that he was to little to hold his own against sugar crazed 2 year olds, but he did fine, screaming with joy and cautiously avoiding the high traffic areas. Then we walked by the pet store to watch the puppies tumbling around in the shredded newspaper and finally ducked into Barnes and Noble to read a few stories. Baby M happily fell asleep on the way home. Sucessful outing!