So a couple of days ago I took 
One of my biggest complaints about the play area, is that there is no gate or door. Essentially, as a parent you have to be extremely vigilant there, because the kids can run right out of there in an instant without you noticing. The place where you sit is across from the exit, which is partially obscured by toys that kids can climb on.
I've had to chase him out a few times and bring him back in. It is pretty easy to know when he's about to run out, because he starts to inch toward the exit, while expressing quite the mischievous grin on his face.
Usually, it's not really a problem. But on this particular occasion I looked away for a split second. When I looked back, I saw the little grin just as he was exiting and turning the corner. I immediately jumped up and ran out of the exit, which just opens up into the rest of the mall and all of the shops.
Upon leaving the play area, which took no more than 3 seconds, I looked around and he was nowhere to be seen!!
I quickly ran over to a lady at a kiosk and asked her if she had seen a kid walk by. She said that she hadn't, but would look out for him. I was totally freaking out at this point. I ran up and down the halls looking everywhere. I went in several shops, turned back around and ran back toward the play area. I was having a total meltdown inside. I was pretty sure that someone must have picked him up, because how in the hell did he get away, so far, so fast?
I was just about to contact security when out of nowhere is just appeared in the middle of the hall, strolling along like no problem at all.
In the above re-enactment performed by Ricky himself, you can see where I found him. Just walking along having a good old time while daddy was losing his mind.
I can tell you one thing is for sure, I am going to have to get in seriously good shape if I am going to be able to keep up with this kid moving forward! Every month he gets faster, smarter and bolder. His new thing that he does now when I tell him no, is to keep doing the thing I opposed to only faster and more aggressively. Especially when I tell him to stop running away from me!
This whole fatherhood thing just took on a completely new dimension. Wish me luck!
