This week was crummy for getting in my "labor walks" and even more crummy for little peanut to spend time outside. We were well occupied Monday - Wednesday with chores, tennis and the typical errands. BUT by Thursday we were thanking the Lord that it was playdate day!!! A change of scenery was most definitely needed. So, Kayleigh and I met Auntie Alaina and Ryan at the Rivertown Mall. We ate lunch in the food court, walked a bit, and then Kayleigh got to play on the indoor playset, and Ryan got to people watch. I wasn't quite sure if Kayleigh would be ready to play in that "public" of a setting, but since she's generally very social I thought it would be okay to try. She TOOK OFF! She was just so excited she couldn't help but squeal and squeal and giggle and RUN! I was so completely surprised as she confidently climbed up the stairs to the slides. Found a slide, put herself in position and slid down (only when she saw Mommy at the bottom). It was just like we practice at the park, only Daddy wasn't up at the top of the slide showing her what to do and how to do it. She did it all by herself (with plenty of other older kids scrambling past her, pushing around her, and trying to get their turns). Kayleigh was not the slightest bit intimidated by the older kids, but she did know, I think instinctively, that when they pushed past her it was her turn to move. She let them push past and would wait her turn, but she never got scared or needed Mommy (other than to make sure I was there to catch her as she slid on down the big girl slide). Here are some iPhone pictures of her "big event."

[caption id="attachment_186" align="alignnone" width="225" caption="Climbing towards the slide"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_187" align="alignnone" width="225" caption="Looking for Mommy"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_188" align="alignnone" width="225" caption="Getting ready to go"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_189" align="alignnone" width="225" caption="Squealing with excitement"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_190" align="alignnone" width="225" caption="Exploring the caves"][/caption]