Long Weekend (Part 2)

Monday morning we woke to Lex jumping into bed between us at 6:15. He watched TV quietly for 10 minutes, when Loki's internal alarm went off and said "Lex is up. WAKE UP!" At this point she woke up and cried out for someone to come get her out of her crib. They sat quietly for 10 more minutes before leaving the room to go watch Toy Story in the living room. That lasted ...come on you guess...10 MINUTES! Wow you're good at this, yes 10 minutes before the fighting started over something. At this point Mad Dog and I gave up and we got out of bed. Breakfast was made and kids were feed. Pancakes, turkey bacon and Toy Story 2. I had a heaping cup of COFFEE, since I knew it was going to be a busy day, they way we were starting out.

Our plan was Elm Park in the morning for a little duck feeding, soccer and play time on the "Tree House" before heading off to get some kind of lunch for a picnic at Green Hill Park. Everyone got dresses, we packed backpacks and I some how managed to remember the Sunscreen (remember I'm the bad Mom that never remembers sunscreen, hats or anything else that is important for little kids to have). Everyone in the car. 

Elm Park is usually a good time, but Lex and Loki were having issues this morning. We think part of it was they were still a little beat from their fun filled day in Maine, the other is the other kids were not playing the way they wanted to play. Also, since we came later in the morning, the playground had time to heat-up making the slides and equipment too hot to play on for long. 

 

The ducks were not interested in our bread today so we attempted to move on to soccer. Lex was excited because there was a little boy who ran over when he saw us with our soccer ball,  but the little boy kept picking up the ball and not kicking it to Lex. This go old very fast and Loki of course got feed up when the little boy touched her ball - at that point we thought it best to leave Elm park with  a very important lesson learned - COME EARLY. 

We stopped at Panera Bread and grabbed sandwiches, waters, juice, milk and a cookie for our picnic. Green Hill Park was starting to get busy. We slipped to the back and found a little spot were we could spread our blanket and enjoy our lunch. Mad Dog and I splurged and got Lobster Meat sandwiches which were very yummy. The kids enjoyed grilled cheese and got a kick out of eating on the blanket. Lex even helped clean-up   before we headed home for a nap, which we all participated in.  

All in all it was a wonderful day, and we have the fine men and women of the Armed Services to thank for it. I hope everyone had a good day today, I know we did.

In Natural Light

Weekends are made of the park. Today we got back to it. We headed out early to Elm Park for a little fresh air, sun and play. Lex was very excited about it, I think he's been dying to get out in the sun and just play. It's been a long winter. With Spring coming and better weather, we explore new parks and visit our old favors more often. My favorite part about the park is the chance for pictures. Letting the kids personality to shine through in the natural light.

Sadly the park wasn't as great as we would have liked it to be. The grounds were very wet, in fact most of the paths were muddy. We played a little ball, kicking it around between Lex, Mad Dog and I. Loki kind of just keep trying to run away. We didn't bring the stroller, we figured Loki could walk and have a little fun rather than be stuck in the stroller. I brought a long my camera as always. Think is I usually take pictures of Lex. I think this is complete because with Loki stuck in the stroller there are only so many shoots I can take with her strapped in, but today was her day to shine. She was having a good old time, walking and playing.

Lex wanted to head down to the playground for a bit, so Mad Dog and Lex took the balls back to the car while Loki and I started to take the long slow walk to the playground. Mad Dog helped Loki-Girl out and gave her a lift to the playground. It wasn't overly crowded, but still busy enough that there were kids under foot. This is the first time we have let Loki climb and explore the playground herself, with a little assistance. She loved it. Climbing, sliding and swing it was all fun of Loki. Lex was a little more careful. Not wanting to go down the big slide or go to high on the jungle gym. After playing for a bit, we walked down the other side of the park, taking pictures on a park bench and crossing both bridges before heading back to the car for a snack. With sneakers and jean cuffs covered with mud we piled in the car and headed home to beat church.

The parked worked out well in the end. After lunch and a bath, nap time was a breeze. Both of them were out in seconds of hitting the pillows. Giving Mad Dog and I quiet time before Mad Dog leaves for work.