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Yesterday, the weather was gorgeous. Sam and I sat at home, and looked out at the perfect spring weather, and couldn't take it. I needed to get Out. So, after we picked up Christopher at 3 from Day Camp, I told him we had a Surprise. He's been so anxious to go to a park, but since's it's after 4 by the time he gets home from school most days, going to the park interferes with his Flush getting done, and homework, and well, This week is Spring Break. And since we can't afford to get crazy, I'll get a little Crazy for Free.
There's a Park on the near south side (about 10 minutes from day camp) that was advertising a Tulip Extravaganza. Well, turns out they wanted to charge for it, so we didn't do it, but as it also happens, they had PLENTY of tulips just blooming for the Joy of it at Garfield Park.
And I got to spend the time with Both of my Boys.
They were simply Thrilled to just run around the Sunken Gardens. They had races, and Chris always won, but Sam is getting stronger, and he's going to catch up one of these days. And the tulips, oh my goodness, "bloom" doesn't even begin to describe it.
They were so Red they were Orange!
My Favorite.
The sun was so bright, the boys weren't exactly inclined to sit and let me take their picture. So Chris came up with an idea, how about we take turns with the camera. Sure, I was sitting right there, if the camera fell, the grass was mighty cushy. So I let Chris take a picture of me with my new (ish) camera.
I don't traditionally put pictures of me up here, but this one is actually pretty good. Christopher is developing a Good Eye for photography. I don't like pictures of me, but this one is pretty true to life, and I'm ok with that. Maybe I just smile more naturally when its Chris behind the camera. Love the photographer and the love shines through.
This was my trade. Some sweetboys for letting everyone take turns.
They had to take their turn being Silly too. Though actually, I liked their picture being silly brothers together, just seems kind of right.
They kept dashing around gardens, like playing Duck Duck Goose with Tulips.
They ran off, and then they'd come right back.
Enchanting.
After they let me take pictures of flowers, and pictures of them, and pictures of them IN the flowers, I had to let them "Find the playground". We found one. And the boys played.
I'd like to say that it was all good. But it wasn't. This playground equipment was not in the best shape, and Sam got terrified at the top of the slide, and just wanted to come back down. We were sitting on a little bouncing thing when 4 teenagers came over. Now, I didn't like Teenagers when I was one, traditionally I still don't. There are of course, exceptions to this, that I have been blessed to call friends, however, these were not the sort. They came meandering in, taking the swings and throwing them up so high around the bar that no one could reach them. HELLO?! There are little kids right here, how are they going to play on that if you throw it up there. Did I say anything - No. Then they started jumping around playing around, swearing like sailors...right in front of my kids! The last straw was when one of them came up to me and asked me for a cigarette. All I could say was NO! Like I would have given the young whippersnapper one if I had one. Grr. Not sure if they brought it, but I don't recall seeing before they arrived, but after they moved away from torturing the swingset, Christopher found a pop gun on the ground. He and Sam both were bugging me, "I Want a Gun Mommy!" I refrained from making a scene in front of the boys until we got to the car.
Chris is young enough to understand so I yelled as we left that play area in search of one more child friendly. I told Chris, we NEVER NEVER NEVER pick up guns in a park, not even if they look like play guns. I wish I had the cojones to Yell at the kids, wondering where the bleep their parents were. I told Chris those kids were making trouble, those were not good kids. I try to give others the benefit of the doubt, to not bash other people's children in front of my children. But in this case, No Way.
Luckily, I was able to salvage part of the day by finding a different playground. We only stayed there a few minutes though. It was a bit too advanced for Sam, and there were a lot of bigger kids around. Blessedly, Chris is understanding that when Sam can't do something, we often can't stay. And he's patient.
We'll go on a Mission to find another playground, another day. And keep the park time, flower time.
3 comments:
Wow...you got some really, really awesome pictures!!
These are great! I especially love the photos of your boys. So sweet!
Thanks so much for joining us in the Leap Into Spring Photo Challenge! Next week's theme will be Easter/eggs. Can't wait to what you come up with! Have a great weekend!
I'm so jealous! I have yet to go to a tulip festival. I always miss it! lol. Beautiful photos! :)
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