Vintage Coral Ridge Play Area



November 2007

 When Owyn was little, we logged a lot of hours in the play area at the Coral Ridge Mall.  When he started talking, he began calling it "the Herky Mall" because of the giant Herky statue by the play area. 

I took Owyn there when he was learning to crawl and walk because it had a soft floor and a lot of space to move around.  I took him there as he grew and needed more places to run, jump, and climb.  Especially in winter, when it was too cold to go to the park. 



November 2007


At some point, we began to split our time between the play area at one end of the mall, and the "rides" on the other end.  There are a few toddler size trucks and cars that he would sit on and pretend to drive.  He was perfectly content to just sit there for a few minutes and "drive".  And then someone gave him quarters to put in the slot and he realized that they move.  That is when he started asking for money at the mall, and I'm sure it was before he turned two. 

January 2008

January 2008

May 2008

Once Zoee came along, the play area was again a favorite spot to spend cold winter days.  Owyn could run, jump, and play while I sat and fed Zoee.  He was contained, entertained, and burning off energy.  What else could a sleep-deprived mother of a newborn ask for? 

November 2009

And as Zoee grew, she began to follow in his footsteps.  She would practice crawling and walking on the soft floor.  She would go in and out of the tunnels with a big, proud smile on her face. 

November 2009

November 2009

November 2009

Now, Owyn and Zoee are bigger and the play area is a different kind of adventure, as seen in the next post.