new indoor play

this morning we met some neighbors at a local indoor play "gallery". it is a little expensive (today was discounted at $5/person - $10 for both of us), but it might be somewhere we go on occasion because there was a lot to do. they had instruments, a pirate ship with a slide, a playhouse, arts and crafts, play kitchen, a stage and costumes, and lots more.

i think madelyn was as excited to see the moms as she was to see the kids from our neighborhood. we hadn't seen some of them in a few months since the snow has driven us all indoors and it was nice to catch up a little while the kids played.

madelyn tried almost all of the activities except for the pirate ship slide. she just wasn't interested in it which was a little surprising since she has been scooting around on toys saying that they are a "boat" lately - maybe next time. she was really into playing with the "moon sand". it is sort of a cross between play-doh and sand. i mentioned that she has been 'spelling' a lot lately and will say "a-b-c" when we read the abc book, but she knows a lot more letters by sight than i realized. i held up an "e" and asked "what is this, maddie?" i almost fell over when she quickly responded "e"! she also found the "a" when asked. so i had fun trying to quiz her while she was trying to have fun squeezing and squishing the moon sand.

after playing, we got some lunch and went to pick up some wrapping paper and tape at target. i had also wanted to go to the grocery store, but madelyn had different plans for the day. there is definitely something going on with her right now. she just melts down for no reason and can't seem to decide what she actually wants. additionally, she has been super clingy to me since i got back from chicago. i think she is afraid that i am going to leave again. she doesn't even want to get in the car with me. and sunday at church she started crying and saying "no" when we pulled into the parking lot - we had gotten past the crying for a few weeks. i would say that she has just not been herself for the past four days. we are hoping that this will pass quickly because there is no telling when she will melt down and it is not clear how to resolve why she is upset; mainly because i don't think she knows why she is upset.

hopefully tomorrow will be better since i took the day off so that i could run errands, mail christmas cards, and ship some packages - i am going to need her cooperation. love.