ALL "COOP-ED" UP

This post is quintessentially esoteric in that only a few members of my readers will truly understand the humor of my title.  But for the rest of you..namely my mother and mother-in-law I will try to explain.  Luke and I met some of our friends, Anastasia and Spencer at an indoor playground last week-The Coop.  Much buzz has been circling around this new indoor space mainly amongst our fellow Children's Circle community.  Since it is located right around the corner from our house we decided we would give The Coop a try.  I spent the morning stalling until its 10 am open time and showed Luke some photos of the indoor space on the internet.  BIG BIG BIG mistake.  Luke wanted to go to the Coop IMMEDIATELY.   I managed to stall and we met Anastasia and Spencer at the Coop promptly at 10.   I was busy paying when I returned to find my son already following Spencer up a very steep rope ladder tube (see photo) which looked quite shall we say intense particularly for someone with vertigo.  Anyways I was excited to see that he was already enjoying the space.

Moments later I look up to see that Luke has now made it to the top but does not want to slide down the large tube slide into the ball pit and is instead standing behind the glass very calmly but CLEARLY asking for his mother.  Being a wonderful friend Anastasia offered to go up instead of making me (with vertigo) attempt what looked like a pretty tremendous feat..  I should also mention that upon initially ascending the ladder Anastasia too found herself a bit nauseous.  Just let the record show.  Moments later I watched (but could not hear due to the blaring music) as Anastasia tried to talk my son off the ledge so to speak.  He was calm, no tears, but very clear that the slide (an enclosed tube) was just too scary for him.  She offered to put him on her lap or help him climb back down which he almost did but lost momentum due to the people coming up the ladder at the same time.   I just can't resist the lovely shot of my dear friend trying to save me from having to go up the ladder and attempting to help Luke down.

Though she was quite good at talking with Luke..it was a job for MOM.  I found myself bravely ascending the ladder and encouraging him to slide back down the slide (on my lap).  We followed  Anastasia who slid down herself while grasping the sides of the tunnel.  Once down we all happily played in the ball pit.  ALL of us.  It was quite deep and I must say pretty relaxing.  

Though Anastasia and I spent most of our time at the Coop discussing its misuse of space and how we would redesign it if we had the structure, our sons LOVED it.  They found things to do and happily entertained themselves.  Luke and Spencer particularly loved the costumes.  And when it was time for snack they equally enjoyed a nice rest.   All and all another fun outing.  Luke has already asked to go back.  Glad that he was not traumatized!!  In fact he recounted the story of climbing up and finding it too scary NUMEROUS times.  I feel happy that I have a child who can clearly express how he feels with out being panicked and is secure in his expression.  Whew.  Guess we are doing SOMETHING right.

Luke as Ladybug

Masterpiece Theatre!

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