The big blue box

I have a friend who works at IKEA and she always referred to it as the big blue box. Now it is the bigger (way bigger) blue and yellow box. It is kinda crazy how big it is. Over 5km if wanted to walk every isle, which I didn't. But at last nights preview event (which I am so happy to have been invited to) I had a chance to walk the store and take it all in. Ottawa had the smallest store in the country and now we have the biggest. There are so many products that we haven't ever laid eyes upon it was overwhelming. I already have future visits planned to get a closer look at lighting fixtures and couches. So many couches. All the display kitchens (all 29 of them) had me drooling repeatedly. If only I had an unlimited bank account then I would be all set. There are many reviews floating around the blogosphere today. Dani wrote a great one here. But one thing she forgot to show was one of the most important parts IMHO. The play room. Check it:

Isn't she a beauty. You can't see it from this photo but the ball pit is on the left side at the end of the room. There is room for many many children in there. The only problem is that the 45 minute limit means you'll have to run through the store to get through it all in time. 

I only had one other complaint. I had no cell phone reception in that giant box. I think it would be worth it for IKEA to have a cell phone transmitter on their properly. Really, how many times have you stood in front of a table and took a photo and tried to e-mail it to a friend, or tried to call your spouse to ask which colour of LACK table did he want again??? 

I can't wait to get back in there and spend some time and a bit of money. There is a plush elephant that has my kids name all over it :)

Thanks IKEA Canada, I had a great evening.