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The Girl organized all the kids on the boat into deckhands, and she played the Captain

Last weekend when I braved the mall with my daughter, I reached that oasis. Between Victoria's Secret and the Helly Kitty store, it beckoned to both of us for different reasons.

For The Girl, it was full of exciting play. For me, it was a soft seat to rest on while I gathered more energy to continue our shopping trip.

The Ferry Boat. A few of our local malls have these large play structures in the shape of a boat. Kids under age 5 are invited to take off their shoes and climb around, while their parents chill out, check their voicemail, or add up the damage they've done to their wallet thus far.

Usually The Girl will just climb to the top, jump off, then get back on and do it again. But on this day, I noticed something different.

She was a little bit bigger than most of the kids playing near her - and she was talking a lot more.

In fact, she was organizing them! She was telling the other kids what they would play and what roles each would have.

"We're trying to get to America," she declared. "Everyone has to help!"

The kids rushed from side to side on the ship. My daughter kept climbing to the very top, looking around, then getting back down and barking new orders.

"The fish! The fish are making the boat rock! We have to kill all the fish!" she said.

With fake spears, the other children began poking at the "water." The Girl did too. "Okay, I killed all the fish," she said. (Apparently 6 other little ones copying her every move didn't help, though.)

"Now we have to get to shore, and then we'll trade this boat for a new boat," she said. The kids began to paddle.

"Faster! This ship is going to sink!" she yelled.

And the kids paddled faster.

I just watched, fascinated. Where did she come up with the idea of "trying to get to America?" And why does she have to be so violent with the fish? And what makes her think anyone will take her broken boat and trade it for a new one?

It's just so incredible to watch as their minds develop. Who knows what she's soaking up every minute of the day, and how it will get re-used later on in her free play.

And I feel so privileged to get to be a part of it.