Nature Park

We gathered up four children, a sick Richard, one stroller, two bikes, two bike helmets, one loaf of bread, and one kite & headed to the Nature Park today.  We had been there just long enough to determine that the ducks weren't hungry & it was too windy to fly a kite when my 1st councilor called and told me she was at my front door to pick me up to go meet a new family in our ward.  I think I'm going crazy!  I completely lost an hour.  We loaded everyone back in the car & dropped me off at my appointment.  Everyone else headed home.  My children only complained mildly.  This calling of mine is sure teaching them to be flexible and not take scheduling issues personally. 

We headed back to the Nature Park in the evening.  I loved watching Amber see how fast she could make her bike zoom and smiled as I witnessed Jessi's uncontainable glee as she played at the playground.  I felt guilty for a moment for letting Spencer go barefoot in the bark at the playground, until Kate & Jessi both took their shoes & socks off too.  Spencer tested his courage at the playground; climbing stairs and slides, and almost crossing a wiggly bridge, but then thinking better of it.  Kate spread her wings, riding her bike ahead of us, but stopping at all the right places to wait for us to catch up.  My dad joined us.  Maybe I enjoyed his company most of all.  I loved seeing Amber & my dad walking together hand in hand; glad she hasn't outgrown that yet.  The girls enjoyed a ride in grandpa's "fast car."  We tried flying the kite, but by then there was not enough wind.  I watched my dad, with his worn out knees, running the length of a soccer field with a kite, just to please his grand kids. 

On the way home we stopped by the almost-finished new aquatic park for a guided tour.  My childrens' eyes sparkled with anticipation.  They're worried that they might not be tall enough to ride the water slides.  They're fascinated that they'll get to take swimming lessons there.  It's slated to open in 2 weeks.  Ah, they might be just a little more motivated to do some money-earning chores.