I don’t know. Maybe it was the full moon or perhaps that fantastic lunar eclipse. Whatever it was - this past weekend I had an overwhelming urge to organize and clean the house that rivaled my third trimester nesting phase.

I scanned each room of our wintery abode and had the need to spring clean. NOW! Must get things in neat and tidy order. Must put things in affordable yet colorful and attractive containers. Must go to…….IKEA!

I used to be a regular IKEA goer, especially when looking for gear for the nursery. But I haven’t frequented the store much post-baby. It was high time for an outing down 494. I packed up the diaper bag, got Ben ready and off we went to the big blue box.

As we walked in from the parking ramp, I saw the store with completely different eyes. The place is a family-friendly mecca. A destination. The cafeteria was brimming with kids playing and eating 99 cent kids meals, the elevator was packed with strollers, the diaper changing area pristine, a line of parents and kids awaited the drop off play area. Children around every twisting bend throughout the store.

When we reached the children’s furnishing area. Ben reached into a bin and grabbed a plush rodent named “Ratta”. I later wondered why I started humming an old Michael Jackson song as we meandered through the store. Then it came to me..ah, yes, “Ben” title song from the same 70’s movie, about a boy and his rat. How appropriate. How disturbing. How old am I?

Usually when I go shopping with my sidekick in tow, I am a grab and go, in and out kinda gal. But here, there was an abundance of visual stimulation for him (and me). Colorful distractions, coy flirtations with other babies, and of course, Ratta to keep him occupied and happy. I was able to slow down a little and ponder inspiring wall color choices and efficient design configurations.

All in all it was a quality afternoon spent with my boy and a successful shopping excursion to boot.

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As long as we’re talking about Scandanavian institutions… another family friendly destination I’d recommend is the American Swedish Institute. I personally love the place because I am immediately transported to my grandmother’s kitchen the instant I begin walking down the stairs. The wafting aroma of cardamom rolls, coffee and cream brings me back to my childhood.
They currently have an exhibit featured in today’s Home & Garden section. “Small Worlds: Interior Design in Miniature.” A variety miniature dollhouse displays of Swedish and Danish architecture from classic to modern times. According to curator, Curt Pederson, the exhibit is designed to appeal to kids as well as design-minded adults, Pederson said. “This is a fun exhibit that young and old can enjoy equally. Children are fascinated.”

See a slideshow of the exhibits here.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 7th, 2007 at 10:29 pm and is filed under Main, Related Articles, Things to Do. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.