I took the kids to the playground this morning. Poor Bella has been in withdrawal since my dad left and when she asked this morning I saw no reason why we shouldn’t go. She was a bit disappointed that we drove rather than walk the mile; but I’m definitely not up to that much exertion, not with three children. And even Bella would have found it difficult; she’s still not quite grasped that Ben’s arrival has ousted her from her place in the double stroller.
We got there fairly early, around 9:30 or so. We were the only ones there, aside from a guy shooting hoops on the adjacent basketball court. Bella started to take off across the playground; but returned quite happily when I asked if she could play with Sophie. They played together quite well until finally a little boy about Bella’s age appeared with his mother. Then Bella shot off to follow him around the place. His mother was quite the sport and gamely picked Bella up to join her son in the tire swing. (I thanked her for her kindness as they were leaving.)
I stayed with Sophie, who was quite content to crawl back and forth through the tunnel, stopping to eat her cheerios and occasionally to turn the steering wheel, “Drive!” Ben slept soundly in his stroller, making things quite easy.
I didn’t have a chance to chat with the other mothers who were all following their children around on the far side of the playground because I was rather tethered to Benedict and Sophie. But that was fine with me.
We stayed about an hour and then Ben woke up and I decided it would be easiest to just drive home and change and feed him there.
I love the evening chorus around here. You captured it perfectly!