Just a Day at the Park

Spring weather being so nice recently we had a spur-of-the-moment meet up at the park with another home school family we know.  I love being done with school, and having the kids out to play before the public schools are out for the day.

Sadly I did not get a photo of all the kids sitting around waiting for their turn to play the math facts game on the other mom’s phone (ans trying to help each other, and getting told to stop it by the game player who wanted to do it alone).  That was cool, blanket under a tree at the park begging to do their math facts!  I did get a picture of all the kids trying to work out balancing the see-saw.  Note the other mom and i did not help, they argued about it, moved around, had a hard time directing the two little ones, and finally got it on their own — then lost interest and deserted it.

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Park March 24 2012

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FIRST ice cream cones ever!!!

Park 3.18.2012

Great Day to be a KID at the PARK

We went to the park in Winterset;  it is a really nice park, a ton of mature trees, spread out, we always have a good time there. 

we did the playground, the covered bridge, the stone bridge, the maze and stone tower (photo here) , they are listed to look like they are at different parks, but they in one large area and you walk between them (not the stone tower, it in the same park, but a 3 mile drive on gravel, so that we did drive).  We packed a cooler, a big bag of treats, a blanket and set off for the day.  The kids did the maze over and over again, ran hard and got hot.  Many snacks and drinks were consumed, and a lot of good easy childhood fun was had.  At the tower all five of the kids had a blast playing Princess Guard and chasing the bad guy, exploring, and they even tolerated poses for photos. 

It was a milestone day for my boys – the first time EVER they got to stop the ice cream truck and get a treat.  It was a mistake; sadly, as Big Brother had an allergic reaction to a treat I knew he should not have; and his mood really suffered that day and the next too, but not as much as it could have.  BUT, there was nothing better for him there, and I just did not have the heart to tell him he alone could not get something.  I almost just said NO to stopping the truck, and should have, but all five kids were looking at me and the other three (not mine) have gotten treats from the Ice Cream Man before and thus got happy and excited when we heard him coming though the park).  Next time I’ll just have to be the mean momma that I am and tell them NO.  All five kids really enjoyed their treat, and my boys thought it was great to get to stop the truck and choose something.  We’ve done it once, they had their Milestone, from now on I’ll just have to say NO (like I kinda knew I should this time, but gave in to my own heart as well as the kids).  I get tired of being the Mean Momma, but it is necessary, and no one ever said being a Momma meant all fun and easy choices.  

Coolest part, we were able to get a couple of good photos of all five kids.  Trust me, if you saw the 100 plus bad photos I have of all five kids you’d understand the significance of this.  All summer (our trip there, this trip they made here) I have been working on this task, at zoos and parks and Bass Pro and at both houses; finally!

A glimpse of travels 2: OUT AND ABOUT

One nice afternoon we struck out for a picnic.  We chose Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park  we skipped theBotanicalCenter and all that for the great new playground! 

Bass Pro has a number of live exhibits, and the TURTLES are an overwhelming favorite with both boys (and MOMMA) but especially Little.  The first day in town I drove us past Bass Pro and Little flipped!!  Pointing and yelling “urtlesssss urtlessss”.  I was a bit surprised he recognized the place, just driving by and remembered.  The next day week took the three little kids to see the turtles (and the alligator, ducks, snakes and fish).

These 2 are only 3 days apart, Little Brother being older; that makes my little Goddaughter the youngest of all.

Big Brother calls her “Princess” and needs to save her or protect her a great deal of the time