A Day at the MAC

Happy St. Patrick's Day! My little Abigail was wearing a shamrock shirt from Nani and she looked extremely cute! The green really complimented her hair, and every where we went, she was told that she was so precious! Of course, I had to agree! I just wish I got a good picture of her to post!

Since we are on spring break this week, I looked around for some fun things for Abigail (and Mommy and Daddy) to do. I'm afraid I'm spoiling her with these fun activities and the go-go-go nature that our spring break has had so far, and that she will be mighty upset when she returns to normalcy next week, but what can I do? I like having all this time for family!

Today the Mansfield Activity Center had "Toddler Time" in their gym - free for Mansfield residents; actually, they have it every Monday and Wednesday, but today was the first time that we were able to make it, and it will probably be the last time until June. There's a maximum of 50 kids allowed, so we had to register, and it's a two hour time period for children who are walking -> before they enter kindergarten, basically ages 1-5. The majority of the children there were under 3, which was nice. I liked seeing how Abigail's abilities compared to children of her own age. (Uh-oh. I just said a Mommy no-no: compare! Ack. I better get a grip!) She was one of the younger ones there, but she could hang with them quite well!

She and two others nearly her age, a girl 22 months old and a boy 19 months old, followed each other around and played...not really together but near each other. If I remember my psychology it's solitary play, but emerging to parallel play, where the kids are near each other, but still not playing with each other. Most of the time Abigail plays by herself indifferent to others around her, but she was really watching them and trying to replicate what they did. Well, she always has been very observant of the situation around her.

The activity she loved most was the bounce house! It was her first time in one, so at first, I got in with her. She couldn't stay standing up for anything! Those 3 year olds were making it bounce like crazy! Don't get the impression that it was packed with 25 toddlers - in fact, in only had about 6-7 in it at the most at one time. There was so much to do!

It was fun to watch and she laughed all the while; every time she tried to stand, she was bounced back down. After we got out and explored the giant foam blocks, she ran back to the bounce house. I didn't get in with her this time, just helped her climb in and watch. She held on to the net, but since she can't really jump, she kind of bounced her knees. Too cute! After a few minutes, out she came to play with the balls. Then back in the bounce house - then back out to play with the tunnels. This continued on for nearly about an hour and a half - until Mommy got tired of trying to keep her away from the "big kid" dodge ball game that was happening on the other side of the gym. She was SO interested in that game!

It was a fun time, and we will definitely go back when school is out for the summer!

Sitting in the bounce house. She had to rely on others to bounce her since she can't jump yet!

Trying to stand - it was a bust!


Watching kids bounce!

Checking out the tunnels.

After her nap, we took Chance to the dog park, then took a family walk on the trails in the woods. Notice how this trail has lanes? It's a very busy place for bikers and roller bladers!