Jordan Creek Mall Play Area

My sister met us at the play area at Jordan Creek Mall last week. The play area is on the lower level, just outside of Scheel's, and it was jumping! There were probably two dozen kids running around this popular play place.

They had a great time playing, so I went back with Andrew last weekend. It was about as busy, but there was more of a mix of big kids there. Although the cut-off says 42", there were many school-aged kids running and jumping around. Our kids still had fun, but they were knocked down a lot.

There were lots of creatures and critters to climb on. Our kids like the elephant the best.

There's also a train to climb on and slide down, as well as a few bigger slides in the center.

Here's Oliver, climbing on and through the log!

Here's Jo on and in the boat!

I love how much fun the kids have here, but I think the play area at the Valley West Mall might be a little less chaotic. Plus, we've never seen the one at Valley West get overrun with older kids.

Play Place in Valley West Mall

Our extended stay hotel is serving its purpose, but we feel the need to get out of that small space daily! Andrew and I took the kids to the play area at Valley West Mall last weekend, which is right across the street from Monkey Joe's. For our little ones, the mall was actually a much better place to play (and free!). The play area is just outside the lower level of Younker's.

We walked through castle gates to the play area. The kids got so excited!

Jo climbed over the stone bridge and slid down the other side, over the water. Another kid told Oliver there were sharks in the water, so they enjoyed leaping over to avoid getting bit.

There was a wizard and a knight to climb on, and Jo enjoyed sitting in their laps.

Oliver loved leaping off of the pirate ship! In the background, you can see part of a dragon, which was a big hit, too.

Big brother is (usually) willing to help little sister navigate the play equipment.

More ecstatic jumps!

After the play area, we wandered the mall for a bit. Outside of JC Penney, we found a train! I think ticket prices were $2/person, but we bought a 3 pack for $5. I rode with the kiddos. They loved it, of course.

The mall really was a perfect place to take the kids on a cold day. I've since gone back with the kids on my own. It's a bit of a drive for us, since we're staying up in Urbandale now, but it's not like I have anywhere else to be! It takes us about 10 minutes to get there, the kids can play for an hour, and then I don't feel like we've just been cooped up in the hotel all day.

Walking On His Own

Oliver is finally over his cold. After being mostly cooped up in the house for a week and a half, I decided we needed to get out and about. I took him to the mall so he could run and climb in the play area. When we arrived, I opted not to use the stroller. Instead, I told Oliver, "We're at the mall. I'm going to carry you through the parking lot to the mall, and then you're going to walk. You're going to walk in the mall with me. OK? You're going to walk, and we're not going to cry."

I carried Oliver through the parking lot to the mall's entrance. I put him down, and he started to walk with me... to the Panera bathrooms. Not this again! I decided to have another talk with Oliver and I asked him, "Do you need to use the potty?" He said yes. I said, "OK, we're going to go use the potty, but we're only going to use it one time, OK?" So, we went and used the bathroom. On the way out, Oliver froze when he saw all the large groups of people sitting around. He asked me to pick him up. I told him that I'd carry him to the mall, but then he was going to walk all by himself. I walked him through Panera to the empty mall. I set Oliver down, and he happily walked with me! I was ecstatic.

We walked all the way to the play area. I took off our shoes, and he started climbing and playing. After about five minutes, he walked back to his shoes and asked me to put them on by saying, "Shoes?" I told him the shoes were for when we go home. Oliver ran and climbed through one tunnel and then went back to his shoes. Then he waved and said, "Bye." I asked him if he wanted to go home, and he said yes. Then he gave me my shoes, too. What the heck? A ten minute drive for five minutes of play? I wasn't going to force him. I put our shoes on, and Oliver waved to the playground as we left. On the way out, he tripped and stumbled. A lady was walking the mall and saw and kind of laughed (not in a mean way). Oliver was so embarrassed. He buried his head into my legs and said, "Up!" I picked him up but didn't walk. I held him for a bit until the lady passed.

I put him down, and he happily walked with me all the way back to Panera. When we were there, he wanted to go back to the bathroom. I reminded him that we were all done there. I asked him if he'd like a split a scone with me, and he said yes. There was no one waiting in line behind us, so I let him give the lady the credit card. We ate our scone together, and when we were done, he walked with me to the mall doors. He wanted to be carried once we got outside, so I did. I carried him halfway to the car, and then I gave him the car keys and set him down. We walked the rest of the way to the car together.

I was so, so proud of Oliver and kept telling him so. I told him what a good boy he was walking all by himself, and I told him he helped Mommy so much. It really does make me feel good, and a little less nervous for when our little one arrives. Oliver is the sweetest little boy, but it can just be physically challenging to take him anywhere since he likes to be held and carried so much. Also, I feel like a much better mom now that I'm setting boundaries in public and sticking to them. I have to admit, though, that I'm nervous for the future and all the future tantrums that he's sure to have as we continue to move into the Terrible Twos.

Mall Play Area

Andrew's work closed early today to give the employees a head start on the long, holiday weekend. We wanted to get out and do something fun without spending money and without suffering in the extreme heat. So, we decided to scope out the free play area at the Southwest Plaza Mall. Yes, that's the one that had the bombing a few months back. For some reason, those types of domestic terrorist type things seem to be fairly prevalent around here. There was just a bombing at the Colorado Mills Mall (also near our home) last week. Thankfully, no one was hurt there, either. We've lived in this area for two years now, and there have been two mall bombings as well as a school shooting at Deer Creek Middle School. I guess that really isn't important to this blog, but I have to admit that I was a little nervous going to the mall. I think that's because we basically never go to a mall. It's the first thing I thought of when we went.

Thankfully, all was peaceful, and we ended up having a lot of fun. The play area is for little kids (maximum height of 42") and there were only babies when we arrived. The activities were perfect for Oliver. He climbed and crawled and pointed out all the animals.

At one point, a sibling trio arrived. The youngest was probably 9 and the oldest was probably 13. I didn't feel right telling them to leave when there parents probably expected them to be there, but I also felt ticked off as these kids played a game of tag and jumped around with their shoes on (also against the rules). They enjoyed trying to leap over all the kiddy obstacles, and it just made us uncomfortable to let Oliver wander. We left, but it definitely wasn't a waste. Oliver got a good half hour of play time in.

On the way out, he even got to see dogs! I don't support the mall pet stores, but I don't find the harm in looking. Oliver loved the puppies, of course.I loved the play area so much that I'm going to add it to my mental list of places to go when Oliver and I have cabin fever. Good times!

Friends and the Ridge Mall

I met my friend, Sam, and her husband, Jim, and son, Charlie, at the mall in my hometown of Chicago Ridge. Oliver is currently half of Charlie's age, and I love hearing (and now seeing!) what Charlie's up to. It let's me know what to expect during each of Oliver's stages.

Eighteen-month old Charlie has an incredible amount of energy! He'd run from activity to activity, easily able to run and climb and work the more interactive toys at the mall's play area. He'd get a little peeved at having to leave one fun thing, but just as quickly as he got upset, he was happy again. What amazed me the most was how quickly he went down for a nap. Sam mentioned it was his nap time, so they gave him his pacifier and sat him in the stroller. Within minutes, he was sound asleep.

Oliver didn't know what to make of all the kids in the play area. He doesn't see many other children, so he just sat and stared at them in awe. At one point, we moved away from Oliver's owl toy, and a little girl (who couldn't be much older than two) picked it up and handed it to him. It was so cute!

Sam's expecting her second baby in January (the same month of Charlie's birthday), so we browsed the clearance racks, looking at newborn baby outfits. I have to say, little girl outfits are always cuter than little boy outfits. I told her she's in trouble if she has a little girl!

After a couple of hours, Oliver and I left. I knew it was getting close to his nap time, and, unlike Charlie, my little man doesn't typically go down for naps as easily. We left just in time because Oliver threw a fit the whole way home! I bet Sam and Jim won't believe me that I said that because my Ollie Bear was the perfect gentleman at the mall. He can get pretty upset, though, let me tell you!

Sam, it was wonderful getting to meet your family. Your husband is so nice, and your son is so smart and fun! We're both very lucky ladies, and I'm glad I got to see you again after all these years!

Cold Snap and Pumpkin Pancakes

For 24 consecutive days this summer, Denver's temperature climbed above 90 degrees. Those 24 days set a record for our city, though it was one I would have been happy to have missed out on. Indeed, the summer was a scorcher...

...which is why I couldn't have been more thrilled to have this break in the heat. Today our high was 59 degrees, and it felt fantastically cool. We were able to break out the long sleeved shirts and put real socks and shoes on our feet. Absolutely delightful.

Aminta and I went to the mall. After browsing a few clothing shops, we stopped at Williams-Sonoma. I was thrilled to discover that Williams-Sonoma had their pumpkin display out, and I beelined it for the table. The focus was on pecan-pumpkin butter filled pancakes. During our last visit there in spring (Aminta's my shopping partner), I'd bought a pan for making filled pancakes. So, I had the pan. Now I just needed the fixings. I grabbed a recipe card and loaded up on pumpkin pancake/waffle mix and pecan pumpkin butter. It sounded positively scrumptious, and I was in the mood to pretend it was fall--pumpkin season!

After visiting with Aminta and Nicole for a while, I headed home to my beloved. I was so excited to show him my prizes. At first, he was a little skeptical. It's also quite possible he winced at the $15 price tag on the pancake mix. But once I showed him the recipe card with the picture of the filled pancakes, I knew he'd forgive me. For extra emphasis, I pointed out the fact that the filling was the pecan pumpkin butter blended with cream cheese.

Next thing I know, we're in the kitchen cooking up pancakes (at 11pm). The kitchen filled with the fragrant smells of pumpkin and spices as well as the sound of a begging dog. Scrumptious!

Tomorrow's back up in the 70s. I'm a little disappointed, but I sure am glad I got to enjoy the start of the season change. Just a few more weeks until the aspens begin to change colors. I can't wait!