Sweat, sunscreen and strawberries

Yesterday I had my sister's littles for a few hours, and since it was actually sunny (it generally rains when they come over) we got ready to go to the park.  Now, here is a quick illustration of the difference between going to the park with adults, and going with kids.

Adults:
Step 1:  Decide to go to park
Step 2: Put on sunscreen and bug spray
Step 3: Go to park

Done.

Kids:

Step 1:  Decide to go to park
Step 2: Argue the merits of each park
Step 3:  Drag double push trailer up from basement, find snuggli
Step 4:  Sunscreen 3 kids
Step 5:  Discuss the merits of bug spray
Step 6:  Apply bug spray
Step 7:  Agree to a picnic
Step 8:  Discuss what to have at said picnic
Step 9: Cut up fruit, portion snacks, collect water bottles
Step 10:  Put Logan on the potty
Step 11:  Spend 5 minutes washing his hands
Step 12:  Realize Abby's diaper needs to be changed, and then do so.
Step 13:  Repeat steps 10 and 11
Step 14: Get baby in snuggli, secure hat
Step 15: Convince kids to get in push trailer
Step 16:  Go back into the house to get bubbles
Step 17:  Get kids back in the trailer
Step 18: Get to park

A little more complicated, but definitely worth it. For one, it is kind of an awesome workout for me, I was pretty sweaty by the time we actually got to the park.  Also, it is a really beautiful thing to watch kids having unstructured play.   I love at the park that they pick what they want to do, invent a game to go with it, and have a ball.  I love that they want that romantic version of a picnic that involves a basket and a blanket.  I love seeing the strawberry juice running down their chins and fingers as they bit off little pieces to share with Abby.  I love that I suddenly don't care about getting dirty.

I love the excited proclamation of "bubbles!" that they shriek EVERY time I blow a new set, and watching them run all over the green hills chasing them.  I love how excited they are every time they go down the slide, climb up a rope ladder, or go "super high" on the swings.  It is just pure, agenda-less fun.

It threatened rain, so we had to pack up before we were ready,but they were agreeable, so we loaded everyone back up and headed home.  It started to rain, so we all snuggled on the couch and watched Megamind while the dogs whined in the basement.  A pretty perfect little afternoon.

God I love summer!