We have a new adventure plan in place. It's relatively simple. Step 1: Load up the backpack with survival supplies (changes of clothes, sunscreen, berries for snacking, water). Step 2: Load up the car with children. Step 3: Type "Park" into Google Maps on the phone. Step 4: Choose the closest park that you haven't been to before and... GO!
All you have to do is avoid cemeteries (many of which have "park" in their names), and see what can happen?
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| This one's scheduled for demolition soon. Because having this much fun can't possibly be good for kids.* |
Yesterday we found Laurel Hills park while we were waiting for the car to get fixed. We played for a while and then we had to go, but we went back and played later. And still, we had to drag them (and ourselves) away.
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| Blueberry break! |
The picture above is just part of the park. It's huge. We even hiked around a little pond area for a while, watching the tadpoles. Until we saw two rather giant snakes just a foot or so beside us in the brush. We decided it was time to move along at that point.
After a little in-car nap, I decided to play Park Roulette again. We cruised on by East Durham park because there was ZERO shade, and choice number two landed us at Burch Avenue Park. Score.
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| Playing the bells. |
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| Don't drive angry! |
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| A new challenge to conquer. |
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| Spinning! |
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| The Mouse. |
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| Gideon immediately climbed up and went down the biggest slide. Zero fear. |
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| A spring horse! |
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| Little Man on the big stage. |
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| Little Amphitheater |
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| Back to the stage for an energetic show! |
I hung out with the kids at Burch Avenue for most of the afternoon yesterday. Actually, we only left because Evelyn needed to go potty and the only downside of the park is that there are no restroom facilities. It's a really small neighborhood park, so that's fine, but we had to pack up and head out to the nearest restroom. But first thing this morning, it was back to the park with us - this time with Jonathan too. We played and played, took a break to get some coffee and interview a babysitter (yaaaay!), and then went back to the park for more.
Evelyn ate a bit and then asked to take a nap. As we were sitting Gideon down for lunch, he shook his head and started crying. Jonathan asked him if he wanted to go to sleep, and he nodded and went down without a fight.
Success!
*
Here's an article about the demolition of this play structure at Laurel Hills Park.
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