First Visit to Storyville

Our friends had to postpone because they are sick, but Nicholas and I went to Storyville as planned. It is an awesome place, although Nicholas is still too young to get a lot out of it. But for kids ages about 1-3 it may just be the coolest place ever. Basically it is like a children's museum, with a bunch of play centers and toys, but with books spread all around as well. And because it is part of the public library, the whole thing is free!

There is a "baby garden" with a bunch of toys for him and board books, which he had a mild interest in, but he kept seeing the toddlers walking past the fence and each time would get excited and kick his legs in earnest. So we left the baby garden and spent most of the time walking around watching the "big kids" (ages 18 months-3 years) play in the play kitchen, play garden, play grocery store, etc. It felt a little voyeuristic, but the other parents seemed to understand that he just loved watching big kids and not be too creeped out by it.

From Nicholas - Month 4

This picture exemplifies Nicholas' experience of Storyville. He was somewhat intrigued by sitting in this chair that was his size, but then he caught a glimpse of a 2-year-old running by as I took the shot, and wanted to get up and go play with her. As his shirt says, "Here I go!" And boy did he want to go!

We only stayed about half an hour because by then he seemed overwhelmed and was starting to get fussy. He wore himself out trying to take everything in and so fell asleep on the way home and is currently still soundly asleep in his carseat.

And so even though he is too young to do much there, I think we will go to Storyville a lot this winter. He learns a lot watching the big kids play and then is so tired he takes a good nap. This seems like a win-win. And maybe by next spring and summer he'll be able to start playing some with those big kids.