Friday morning, the weather was perfect and we were free to do anything we wanted. These days, it's best to keep the Big Boy on the move. One of the easiest ways to entertain him is simply to get out and let him observe all modes of motor transportation. There are few things as engrossing as watching loud "boom-boom" trucks and buses barreling down the street. But what's even better is to ride on one!
I love public transportation - I don't know that I would have said it when I didn't have a car, and relied on MUNI pretty heavily. I think it comes from having lived in Japan. Ironically, it feels so liberating to leave the car at home, walk to the bus stop and wait to be whisked off. The problem is, in the US, you can wait, and wait and wait. Still, I find myself really wanting the freedom of being car-less. In Marin, taking public transit is a challenge, but it's not insurmountable, as I discovered today. We live within a 10-15 minute walk of a local bus line. I found the drivers - I kid you not - to be not just helpful, but warm and accommodating! This is a shock to anyone who's spent time riding MUNI in San Francisco, where many drivers are downright surly.
Anyway, my plan this morning was to take the bus downtown and attend an art class for toddlers. I got a late start leaving the house, so I missed the bus (they run every 30 min), and therefore missed art class. No big deal. With the Kid, it's more about the journey itself. He wanted to ride a bus, and while we waited for the next one to arrive, there were plenty of "big boom-boom" cars and trucks to keep him happy.
We arrived downtown at 11:00AM, plenty of time before lunch, possible meltdown, nap time, etc. The beauty of taking the bus is that you are free to peruse those intriguing little shops and places that you want to have a closer look at - and you think that very thing each time you're driving right by them ("Gee, it would be nice to check out that little boutique..." vrrrooooom - off you go). Additionally, getting out of your car allows you to actually be a part of your environment, rather than moving through it, like a fish in an aquarium on wheels. Near the bus stop, there is a cluster of Victorian houses that I pass by as I'm about to get on the freeway - and today was the first time that I could take a closer look. It was very satisfying to finally do so.
Another beautiful thing about being car-less is that it allows a whole other level of spontaneity in making and changing plans. As I was window shopping, I remembered that there was a cute-looking place that looked like a hair salon for kids, so I went by to have a look. Turns out that it was indeed a hair place for kids - as I looked inside, though, I saw attendants wearing what looked like Haz-mat suits, masks and gloves - this was odd, I thought. Went to the front door to investigate - the sign on the front door made it very clear - it's a place to take your kids when they have lice!!!
Did a quick 180 and walked down the street - Heller's toy and clothing store was just next door - sad story, Heller's is closing its doors after 50+ years, which meant that everything was marked down. I found some Big Boy underpants for Jacob, who is toying with the idea of using a potty someday. Maybe it's just that he's toying with his mama. In any event, he will - hopefully - need them someday soon.
We made it back to the bus stop in time to catch the 11:30 bus back home. We got off at the mall and grabbed lunch at Chipotle. I love Chipotle because my son with the "Discerning Palate" will reliably eat a sizable, nutritious lunch there, no matter what. Don't beans (legumes) count as a vegetable? They'd better, because that's the only vegetable that he will eat in its undisguised form. He did a good job on his lunch, so we went inside the mall before walking home, and discovered....a CHOO CHOO TRAIN. All thoughts of the indoor play structure forgotten, he made a bee line for the train and staked his claim on the coal car. I love how he gets when he's enthralled - very quiet, watchful and still. His eyes are wide and he's taking everything in. He was happy to ride only once and then do a thorough post-ride inspection of the train. And I learned that riding that train is a very enjoyable and efficient way to window-shop!
Sees candies on the way home (dark chocolate nougat) kept my boy happy and awake for the entire walk. \\(^_^)//
