Wilson Park

On many Tuesdays I walk the kids to our local park. Wilson Park is a large park with trees, a disgusting stinky pond with ducks, many social squirrels who live in the trees, and a playground. This past Tuesday I finally came to the obvious realization that my kids don't like that playground on Tuesdays. Kaeley was more interested in building nests for the birds, so I sat with the starving Alynna while the kids played in the grass. Kaeley wanted to play a game that basically involved stuffing leaves down the sewage drains. I don't know much about sewers, but it didn't seem like a good idea. Within a few minutes all their problems were solved when they found a great big puddle. As you can see they had a great time. I didn't feel like caring. Let's just say Kaeley's white socks are no longer white, Nathan was dry near his front pockets and his shirt, and both of their shoes took all night to dry. After that they both began to wonder away from the playground. Nathan, who is just as independent as Kaeley, began following squirrels and birds. I think he probably would have walked home without me and not cared a whip. They chased squirrels, tried feeding them pine cones, followed birds around, etc.

I tell you what... later that night I thought for sure this was the night where I'd finally lose my mind. It was a tougher day with Kaeley. She was just a bit snotty, bossy, and argumentative. One of our conversations went something like this: Kaeley, it's time to turn your light out and go to sleep. But Mommy... I'm not arguing with you, Kaeley... I'm not arguing with you... Good, so good night... but Mommy, I don't want to... Good night, Kaeley... But Mommy, I just want to tell you something! What Kaeley? Um, I don't want to be in... No, remember? I said I'm not arguing with you... But, Mommy, I'm not arguing!

Yeah, it was a tougher day.

Brad didn't get home until after seven, so I was with the children for about a good twelve hours. I was holding my own, but was looking forward to some alone time! Kaeley ate all her dinner, which is incredibly rare, so I gave her a lollipop after she was done. Well, I learned the hard way that this is not the thing to do in front of poor little Nathan, who picked out all the carrots in the dinner, ate them, and left everything else. He did not get a lollipop. It was at this point when Brad finally came home and went to the bathroom for his routine fifteen minutes.

Nathan was absolutely done with dinner, but continued asking for a lollipop. Yes, he's young, I'll have to figure something out next time, but anyway... Kaeley was sitting next to him licking her treat. She leaned over to the whining boy to whisper, "Nathan, listen to Mommy!" Within half a second he had grabbed the candy and stuck it in his own mouth. She screamed, struggled with him, finally got it back, which made him start to cry. Alynna began to scream. Kaeley was out of my sight for a few moments and she used the time to taunt Nathan with the lollipop. He rushed to her in excitement, and she popped the candy into her mouth! So I made her share a lick with him. He used the time wisely and yanked the thing out of her hand and ran joyfully! This sent her into a shrieking fit. After his lick he had to give it back and that made him cry! This was all while Brad was still in the bathroom and Alynna was screaming.

I could only sit there and laugh from a place of, "Oh, who cares?" attitude. Thankfully Brad came out after that and encouraged me to take some time alone (with Alynna). I love that man!