paintchips & cupcakes

We have the best parks near us. But what’s even better about them is that people actually go to them!  There is one park in particular that we really love to use. It’s the perfect size for toddlers, has a giant sand area, enclosed all around, shaded most of the morning, and best of all…..not too crowded.

My friends and I love this park. It’s perfect.

Some parks I get totally overwhelmed with two kids under 3 going in two different directions. I pretty much gasp every other second, worrying about them getting hurt or going too far where I can’t see them. Yes, I am a gasper. I have these mommy videos that go off in my head and I fear the worst every time.  It’s borderline neurotic. This park allows me to sit back (sort of) and relax, enjoy watching the girls have fun, and actually enjoy some adult conversation.  Parks are much more enjoyable when you go with friends.  On this day my friend and I had 5 kids between the 2 of us.

Almost 5, 3, 2 1/2, almost 2,  & 18 months.

They (on their own will) wanted to get up on this chalkboard playhouse to draw.

They were very focused on their work.

The girls thought it would be more fun to have me draw on the house for them. Somewhere in this drawing are mickey, minnie, daisy, pluto, goofy, donald, and daisy. Oh and I think a grandma & baba too.

There is a rope structure to walk across that can also be used as a swing.

The babies were able to keep up with the big kids!

Well sort of.  Whoops!  I couldn’t keep my camera off of her, she is just so stinkin’ cute.

A game of follow the leader.

Some time in the sandpit.

And airplane spotting.

And lunch.

I can’t get enough of this spring weather.  It’s amazing how much I appreciate good weather after a bout of crappy days.  We plan on spending the entire spring summer out of the house so I made up a list of some things I thought were useful.

Auntie Jo Jo’s Park Playdate- Picnic Tips

• As mentioned before, go with a friend or 2 or 3.
• Go in the AM, it’s much cooler and the kids are refreshed.
• Pick a park that is not crowded, safe, and easy to watch and care for kids.
• If you happen to go to a park that may be a little too much for you, pack-up and leave,work with your friends as a team. Setup the “zone defense”. Come on sporty girls, you know what I am talking about. Tag team your kids and help each other out. I can’t tell you how many times my friends and I have come through big when a little one starts to get brave and stray. (Or take off in a full sprint as you are carrying your infant newborn in the baby sling ).
• Don’t forget the sunscreen.
• Put the sunscreen on BEFORE you leave the house.  I can never wrestle the girls once I am there.
• Take a large blanket for a picnic style. I love this brand and so do my friends.
• Bring trashbags. Poop diapers and yogurt containers need somewhere to go.
• A change of clothes is always a must, for the poop mishaps.
• Keep a backup supply in your car. This goes for pretty much anywhere you go. Wipes/diapers/clothes/water.
• When packing a picnic/lunch, share in the duties.  For example, there were 5 kids between the 2 of us. Coordinate who brings what. The rule is that kids always want what their friends are eating. I will bring 5 string cheeses, 5 yogurts, 5 fruit bars. My friend brings 5 pbj’s, the pretzels, and grapes. This way everyone can have a well balanced lunch and it will save you a ton of tears!
• Sometimes when we are a large group, we even have pizzas delivered directly to our park.  Aww….. the life.
• Don’t be afraid to overpack. If you bring a cooler then whatever you don’t use can be used again later on.  Toddlers in action get very hungry, very fast. And the longer you stay…the more you need. We spent 3 hours at this park!
• The same rule goes for toys. My friend brought enough chalk and I tried to supply buckets and shovels. Trust me…other kids show up and want to play with them too. Share in the love and bring plenty.
• Write your names or some sort of “family brand” on all of your toys. I know I can never remember what I packed that day. And the little boy’s (who was picking his nose) shovel sort of looks like mine….sort of.
• Best rule ever: pay attention to your kid. There is nothing worse than an absent minded parent as their kid is throwing sand in my kids eyes.
• Have fun! If you do, so will your kids.

Any other tips?  I am sure there are plenty that I am missing, I would love to hear how everyone else does things!

Happy Spring everyone!