I took the boys to our neighborhood park for the first time this morning. We have often driven past it but never made it a priority. The boys, however, in their increasing mobility, have become ever more frustrate with our little backyard, so I decided that it was time to offer them swings and slides and lots of big rocks.
We were not disappointed. Our time at the park was fabulous, with extrovert Mommy enjoying her talkative self with the other mothers who were there–who knew that other mothers can become instant friends by discussing difficult pregnancies, infant sign language, and so forth–and very active Twins climbing to their hearts’ content.
I learned some things this morning, however, about proper park etiquette:
1. Bring drinks for your children. Otherwise, they will repeatedly try to steal the other children’s drinks. Embarrassing!
2. When other children are using the swings, keep your child from running in front of them. Otherwise, your child might get kicked in the head. Embarrassing!
3. Drive a real Mommy car. A cute silver Honda Civic simply does not proclaim “I am a real mommy” like a Honda Pilot does. Embarrassing!
As for the park, we love it love it love it! If there was a Sonic right next door and the park was within walking distance from our house, it would be the nearest thing to heaven besides Holy Mass.
I think that nothing says “real Mommy” like a big Ford E350 van (12 or 15 passenger–take your pick).
Those are spot-on! A special neighborhood playgroup park outing for me this morning included a husband who took the toddler on a bike ride so I could totally focus on socializing
If you keep going at your current rate, you’ll definitely be in that 15 passenger van soon, Devin! We had some friends come over in their white wonder (the Lotsa Catho-van decorated pro-life!) this weekend and I couldn’t help but hope that we’ll have another vehicle option if we ever pass 5 children!