Monkey Business

In an effort to save ourselves from the frigid temperatures of the Fairfax County Parks and Rec indoor pool for a few more months, we opted to enroll Princess Peyton in an indoor play class instead of swim class this winter/spring (she'll get her pool time in a few months when you can't see icebergs floating in the pool).

The 45 minute class has little instruction. It's more of "let your kid run amok and go completely bananas on squishy toys but you don't have to get angry because it's not your furniture" for 45 minutes. Although she was a little timid at first (she's one of the smallest ones in the class), she quickly warmed up to the other kids and more importantly, the bright, colorful blocks, slides, and ball pit.

"I'm not so sure about this, guys. Do you think those crazy big boys can spot me hiding behind these blocks?"

"It's no swim class, that's for sure. But, it is pretty cool to climb all over this stuff."

"I picked this one out just for you, Mommy."

At the end of the class, the "teacher" gathers all the children in a circle and passes out instruments for sing-a-long time. Always wanting to be the center of attention, Peyton situated herself in the smack dab middle of the circle, while every other kid sat dutifully on his or her parent's lap.

"Sitting on a lap is for nerds."

"Seriously, nerds."