Our day just reaffirmed how its the smallest, simplest things that can bring the most joy. We finally got started on our Summer Bucket List which is a list of normal things because we like to keep expectations low around here.
BCS has tons of parks to explore and discover and we have our favorites that we frequent, so one of our items is to visit three new parks. We started with the Sue Haswell park in Bryan.
They were quick to start exploring and making new discoveries.
And of course play a little game called monkey-see, monkey-do!
Although Landry had to get a little help.
;)
And girls aren't the only ones that like to do things alike. The boys were pumped about their matching World Cup inspired shirts (that I found in the boys section at Target) (so yes, my husband fits in clothes in the boy section).
After a bit, some kiddos showed up that maybe had a couple different experiences than the King Kiddos. A couple were a bit older than Radley, toting around a baby younger than Landry because the moms were in "deep conversation". Ryan and I were rolling laughing at what our kids were being taught, and it actually turned out to be a good lesson for us. (Maybe more for me).
The kiddo in the white tank kept telling Radley to come follow him and Radley would give us sideway glances to make sure he wasn't going to get in trouble. White tank would say, "it's okay, buddy... you can do it" or "don't worry, you won't fall" ... and Radley would pick and choose what he would try and what he maybe knew better about.
And yes, we were sitting there. And no, we won't always be sitting there. But, I do hope that in 10 years when some kid is saying, "Come on, dude, it'll be fun." or something else that he will know when to go and when to say no. For today, it was merely climbing on the top of the slide, which me and Josh don't really love, but Ryan and Cindy are both ok with. (I'll let you decide who the "good ones" are in these pairs). (Just kidding).
They all ended up in this little puddle looking at bugs and finding "water snails". One right next to the other, sharing freely, helping each other, and being kind. All because they are kids on the playground.
The heat started to make an appearance so we loaded them in the car and crossed off one more item by heading to the splash park. I'll let you decide if they had fun or not.
Once again there was a little family there, enjoying their day, playing and laughing and doing their thing. And once again, they all instantly just decided to hang out. They laughed and chased each other and just accepted the new kids. One of them had some social and development delays and I was nervous about how my kids would react, but they didn't care any more than if he didn't. When he got angered or needed redirecting, his mom stepped in and the kids kept playing. At one point, I looked up and saw the group doing this... all huddled together, arms wrapped around each other waiting for the water to fall.
Wouldn't it be great if adults treated each other this same way? What if we said hello instead of walking with our faces down? What if just the parents at the park had a conversation instead of ignoring each other? What if we all just took a cue from our kids? And opened our arms waiting for the water to fall?
Wouldn't that be kind of cool?
I think if we did, we'd walk around a lot more with this look on our face.
;)
Radley convinced Emmy that the water bucket was fun, so she decided to give it a try, but only next to him.
Once she survived, she went alone... except she had to hold his hand.
And once again, I look at this and think ahead 10 years wondering when she will want to seek him instead of me or Ryan. When will she need his hand to hold and will he be just as willing to extend that support? I'm guessing yes.
Meanwhile, Landry will have given up and already hit the snacks.
:)
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