We discussed options, ideas, and opinions as to what we should do, and landed on taking the boys to a big park in the town Beautiful Bald Husband and I grew up. We knew that park had a fantastic playground, awesome swings, walking trails, and a pond with ducks. Everything we wanted to make our outdoor Flammy day a success. So, we loaded up the brood, and headed out.
When we got there, Larger Child headed straight for the swings. He spent the better part of the playground time here. He LOVES the swings...
Smaller Child, was more or less, unimpressed with them.
So, we took him on the Big Toy.
I think we have a little adventurer and adrenaline junky like his parents.
Then we spotted a big sand pit. They had buried "fossils" and "bones" for the kids to discover. Larger Child got a kick out of this...
But again, Smaller Child... not so much... I don't think he liked the sand. He would finally be okay touching it if I would hold it for him. He hated the fact that he couldn't walk in it. His little pudgy feet couldn't navigate the terrain. I understand. I have a hard time with it too, and I've been walking for 30 years!
Then we decided to walk down to the pond and feed some ducks. We met a buffalo on the way.
Smaller Child was okay with petting the buffalo, but wouldn't stay on him for a picture.
So, I got one with Larger Child instead. Any excuse to ride a buffalo!
The ducks at the pond were pretty antisocial. They wanted none of my bread. They really wanted none of anything. I got my little girl feelers hurt, expecting a Snow White moment, but alas...
Larger Child and Beautiful Bald Husband spotted a trail in the woods they wanted to explore. I was pushing a non-off-road-approved stroller, so Smaller Child and I parked it under a shade tree and checked out some sticks and rocks instead.
He decided to try one...
Then he decided that wasn't the best of ideas...
Larger Child and BBH came bounding back telling great tales of climbing hills, walking trails, and things I just HAD to see!! So, we set off to explore some more.
Larger Child - HILL CONQUEROR!
He CANNOT be DEFEATED!!
We all managed to hoof our way up the tallest hill and had a moment of "aww" surveying the land, reminiscing about our childhoods, and enjoying one another's company.
Then we began our trek back to the car. That is when I had a moment myself, seeing this... realizing just how damn lucky I am. I mean come on, is there anything greater than that?? Is there anything sexier for a man to do either??
I quickly snapped out of my dreamy haze when I spotted this guy. They had the statues sprinkled throughout the park, but this one in particular caught my eye, and gave me the shivers. Not really sure why. Regardless I felt the need to share. Ha!
I also managed to catch back up to my boys and scoop my Larger Child up for a picture. That guy. He's just awesome.
We got back to the car, then drove around the city for a bit. Took a stroll down memory lane. Saw all of our old houses, schools, and hang outs. Showed our kids where and how we grew up. Then discussed how grateful we are to be where we are in life. How amazing it was that we crossed paths when we did, and how much of a blessing it is the way life has unfolded for us.
It was a lovely day. Another one for the memory books. I realize now too, how lucky we are that Our Book has so many pages. This is something we value. We place a lot of importance on having time together as a family (or flammy as we call it). All of us together, no distractions, just time to enjoy one another. What a gift that days like this, while AMAZING, are not that uncommon around our home. What an awesome thing to give our children. A life where they KNOW they are important to their parents. Where they have NO DOUBT they are a priority, not a hinderance or distraction. This was something I had growing up, and I was and will forever be grateful for it. This is something that I hope to pass on to our kids too. The realization that we are, at the core, each other's strength and support.
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