Created: 02/04/2009 8:15 AM KSTP.com | Print Story By: Chikage Windler

1-31-09 Austen has a Ball!

January 31st, 2009

After a long, cold month and the 11th longest sub-freezing stretch in the Twin Cities, we FINALLY thawed out on Saturday.  Though a sledding playdate may have been in order on the warmest day of the year so far, we opted for something indoors and had no regrets.  It was Austen's first visit to the Chaska Community Center where my husband, Austen & I met up with FOX9's Scott Wasserman and his family.  This was Austen's first time to play in a big ball pit and she was in kid heaven!

Austen in the Ball Pit!

I took a bazillion pics (at least it seemed like it!) hoping to get the perfect smile.  I did manage a couple really good shots, but really, you had to be there to see how much Austen was enjoying the freedom to roam and flop and play in the pit and the adjacent play area.  Best of all, unlike some other indoor play places that cater to bigger kids, this was so age-appropriate for a little toddler like Austen!

I join in on the fun!

Scott's kids loved it too!  And it was great for the parents to chat while the kids played in an enclosed space big enough for them to have freedom, but not so big that they were out of our sight.  I'm finding lately that Austen has just one request when we're out running errands: "Walk!"  She doesn't want to be held, and doesn't want to sit in her stroller.  She wants to walk freely like a big girl!  As much as I wish I could grant her that wish every time we're out and about, it's just not practical.  So it's nice to go to a place where I don't have to say "no, no, no!" and can sit back, relax, and just watch Austen have a ball!

There are plenty of other toddler-friendly play places throughout the Metro, and I'm sure we'll probably make the rounds to all of them sooner or later.  On my list so far: the Maple Grove Community Center, Edinborough, the Eagle's Nest in New Brighton, Adventure Park in Ham Lake, Lookout Ridge in Woodbury, and the Minnesota Childrens Museum.  Let me know if you have another suggestion!  Anything to get us through the rest of winter until Austen can play outside at the park (she really loves the baby swings!)

Thanks as always for reading my blog! 

-Chikage