Fidgets

Last week in Cultural Training courtesy of Cartus, one of the many things I learned was where to take kids to play. You'd be surprised how this lovely bit of information helps with settling in and getting adjusted. On the list was Fidgets in Turf City (now known as the Grandstand--but don't tell that to the cab driver.) There are three locations from the website. The one we went to had a toddler area and didn't seem to be too far from us.
So after some not so pleasant days stuck in the apartment together, today the kids and I ventured out! Ross has the car on work days so we chose to travel by taxi. Here are some things I have learned:

• Using the baby carrier is great when traveling via taxi or public transit. This eliminates fussing with the stroller or worrying about always finding lifts and ramps. This option works best when we plan to stay in air conditioned malls and places. It gets a little warm being in close contact.
• Try to avoid using taxis before 9:30 am on the weekdays as there is a surcharge during the morning commute. While definitely not the cheapest option, taxi is the most efficient and worth it for the occasional sanity-saving activity such as this. We didn't need the extra adventure of the bus or train along the way today.
• A crying baby makes for a faster cab ride. Huh, the taxi drivers didn't seem as 'lost' today.

We arrived at the Grandstand and followed the signs for Fidgets. There is quite a bit of construction going on there so it was kind of a maze to get to the place. But there were plenty of directional signage and no major hurdles. Not much was open before 10am but we were on a mission so it didn't matter.
The closest thing I can compare Fidgets to from back in the U.S. is a fast food playland. The comparison applies only to the fact that the play structures are similar with padded climbing, tunnels and slides. Here are the differences that make oh so much sense!:

• We had to wear socks (thankfully we could purchase as I was unprepared.) Unlike what I got at McD's, the socks were cute and comfortable. Cade didn't want to take his off when we left.
• We had to use hand sanitizer to even come in AND they took the kids' temperatures to make sure no one is running a fever. Oh what a thought! They actually enforced that play is only for well children. No passing tons of germs. 
• They issue a card (kind of like an arcade card) to use at the cafe for snacks, drinks and lunch. This way you can lock up your wallet in a locker and only have the card. At the end of play, you settle your bill before leaving. Plus, the food at the cafe was actually good! Passion-fruit iced tea and an egg salad sandwich with side salad for mom. Yes please!
• There were sandals to slip on outside the rest rooms so you didn't have to go in there in just your stocking feet. And there was a playpen set up in the bathroom so I didn't have to hold the baby while I tried to go. Genius!
• There was a toddler area that'll be nice once brother is in school. He really wanted to be able to play with his sister so the three and under rule was tough to abide by.
• There is a no-kidding ball washer set up so you know the balls in the ball area are actually cleaned on a regular basis. I do confess that the baby tried to put them in her mouth, but at least it wasn't terrifying.

We didn't spend much time exploring the rest of Grandstand/Turf City. Just popped back in the queue for the taxis and came back in time for nap. The added purchase of socks, snacks and then lunch plus cab fare both ways did make this fall more into the 'occasional outing' category instead of an every day thing. But I'd say it was well worth it.