First things first, STORY TIME! We made it to story time just as they were starting the first book. I had such high hopes for this. I thought the "Professional Storyteller" would not just read a boring book in a monotone. I thought the "craft" would be something kids could actually do. I thought the snack would be something semi-healthy. I thought the "Singing Time" would not be the "Professional Story Teller" shuffling through a book of finger plays and trying to remember how 'Rain Rain Go Away' goes. April Fools! Oh. Wait. It's April 2nd. The girls loved it though. Which gives me a ray of hope that my inept juggling of circle time looks slightly more graceful in their non-jaded cynic-free cute l'il eyeballs.We lost Scout, found her again (no it wasn't that easy or that trauma free but it's over and I'll pay for therapy later) and headed over to the play place.
Someone needs to write their doctorate on the social dynamics of a mall play place. The disheveled veteran mothers in their yoga pants, the hyper-vigilant new moms with their constant look of panic, the socially starved Chatty-Kathies, the worn out grandmas, the awkward, out-of-place grandpas...and then the kids. 4 year olds rule the roost in these things. They are the oldest kids (during the school day anyway) and they have almost super-human large motor skills (they can climb toddler sized steps in a single bound!). The 3 year olds don't care what-the-heck anyone else is doing, they just gotta dance! The 2 year olds are frustrated that their slippery socks won't let them climb as fast as they want to and the babies...the poor babies. I spent a good portion of my time up-righting the poor tipped-over babies.It was great to see all 3 girls really shine and let their alpha-female personalities come out. They all 3 had these troops that followed them around, up the slide, over the turtle, dancing at the mirror. I don't think they noticed what a fan club they each had but I was proud of how kind and patient they were with the kids around them.
Then to lunch! I brought sack lunches but the capri suns were woefully inadequate. Luckily we were right next to a Jamba Juice. Banana Berry is really stainy. Sorry about that.
Off to the library! The girls played in the dollhouse and each of them put on a puppet show for the other two. We picked out books (Sydney: Curious George, Scout: How to be a Princess, Ash Lee: Wide Mouthed Frog). I picked up a book on parenting and all the children's books I had on hold.
Now we're back. The girls are playing some game that involves an imaginary Scout and going to the store.
