Discovery Place

We made it back to Charlotte safe and sound yesterday after a weeklong visit. It was so nice that Walker got to spend so much time with his grandparents! He didn't miss a beat while he was there! He settled right into his nap and nighttime schedule. I'm never quite sure how he'll do since we don't have a full sized crib there - just the Pack N Play. But, he always does great! He wasn't too crazy about the drive back to Charlotte. He always does better on the drive to Butner, but I think on the ride home, he realizes that he'll be in his car seat for a while and that doesn't make him happy! If only he'd sleep in the car...

So, today we were supposed to meet a friend at ImaginOn - a children's library downtown - for story time. Because of the budget cuts, it was closed. So, we headed to Discovery Place instead. Walker LOVED it! It's a science museum but they have a great room for toddlers. There was a play area that was nice an contained. I could sit and talk to my friend, Claire, while the kids played. At this age, they don't really mind their manners and don't really play with each other, but it's always so much fun to see Walker around other children. He never has any problem exploring on his own. A few times, he would looked around, realize I was wasn't there, and I could see his little mouth saying, "MaMa." So, I'd just catch his attention and he was fine. He loves to walk up stairs and they had a little set of stairs that was just his size and had handrails that were also his size. He spent most of his time there, going up and down the stairs. He did get pushed a little by another bigger boy, but Mamma Bear was there to make sure everyone was playing nice. That kid better be glad that he didn't push Walkeroo down! Mamma Bear would not have been happy! His grandparents saw what happened and came and got their little bully. Lord, please don't ever let Walker be the bully! After spending lots of time on the steps, we decided we better check out some other activities. They have lots of fun stuff, and we'll have to go back when it's less crowded. When it's 100 degrees outside, I guess all the moms head out to activities that are indoors! So, we headed over to these little cushioned chairs that kids can sit on and watch a ball go in the air depending on the force they use when they sit down. Kind of like that sledgehammer game at the fair that sends a ball soaring making a bell ring. Walker didn't quite get the jist of that one. He did love to bang on the drums, though! PaPa, don't let that give you any big ideas for a Christmas gift...no drum sets for this house! When we were leaving, Walker had his first public meltdown. I guess I can't complain that he's 16 months old and has never had a public meltdown. He was having so much fun, he didn't want to leave. It wasn't anything that a graham cracker couldn't fix, though. So, with graham cracker in hand, we headed home and Walker took a nice long nap!

Later this afternoon, we went to the grocery store to pick up something for dinner. We met MeMommy there! She can't stand not seeing her Walkeroo for an entire week. So, we shopped for a bit and then she came to the house to visit for a bit. She thought he was very handsome with his new haircut and had grown since she'd seen him. He showed her how he can push his Cookie Monster vacuum around. He's gotten so steady on his feet and loves pushing that around. I'll need to show him how to operate the real thing soon!

Here are some pictures from Discovery Place!