Playmates

"Play is a toddler's work." That's how "What to Expect the Toddler Years" puts it. So, in between preparing meals, feeding & cleaning after minibeanie and time for myself, I try to arrange play dates with a couple of toddlers around minibeanie's age. Usually, it's one-on-one at someone's home but on Wednesday, I arranged for a play date at an indoor playground with 2 friends living in the same condominium.

As it was 1030 on a weekday, it was deserted - which was great! I bought a 10-visit card for RMB60 (6 euros/SGD12). Great value, I thought. Inside the playground were tunnels, slides, trampoline, a ball room, 'cars' etc... and of course, everything is padded for clumsy or over-active children.

minibeanie is an apprehensive child. Just like seeing strangers for the first time, he takes time to warm up to a new environment. He takes things in slowly but once he's at ease, he can go crazy. I can't remember how many times I've to put a delicate vase beyond his inquisitive fingers at a friend's home or to stop him from destroying a neighbour's DVD player. Nonetheless, he's not overly destructive for a 16-month-old. ...I think. Anyway, here at the playground, he's free to run and climb to his heart's content.

And as for minibeanie's playmates, they are 13-month old Ryuichi and 14-month old Rasmus, Japanese and Finnish respectively. Good-natured Ryuichi's always grinning ear to ear and stocky Rasmus (13kg!) is a barrel who's always rolling out of the playground and into the department store. :) Children do not play together at this age. Instead, they acknowledge each other coolly and very occasionally, their paths literally cross when they want the same toy or as in Ryuichi and minibeanie's case, their cars collide.


ps. Oh, I've a confession to make... it was so fun getting into the ball room to 'help' the kids onto the slide or to play with the balls. It was just like when I was 8 at Ikea's ball room again! :D

minibeanie is 1 year, 4 months, 3 weeks & 2 days old