The Park Mom

My mom talks often about how she was a "Park Mom" when we were younger.  We spent a lot of time at parks and pools in Austin growing up, and I'm starting to understand why. 

What is this precious expression?!

I've found that stay-at-home-mom-ing is not "boring." Isolating at times, yes. Boring... not quite the right word. There is more than enough to do around here that I never manage to feel bored. Park dates, play dates, swim dates, gardening, walks, runs, spreading a blanket out in the yard: these are the things that keep me feeling connected with my friends and neighbors.  Mostly, I just can't stand the thought of being inside now that the weather is so dreamy. 

Juicy legs, perfect smile.

Yesterday we met two of Piercy's oldest (boy) friends at Zilker Park for some swinging and mom chatting.  The park is about to be a lot more fun for Miss P as she is very close to walking independently. She seems really frustrated by all the things she wants to do but which her body will not allow her.

Yet.

I spend most of Piercy's waking hours hunched over helping her walk, which I want and love to do but which my body does not appreciate.

Jellies

For now, swinging is a good compromise.

Warning: Adorable Baby Face

The other biggest hit? Wading in "Bargain Springs," the free, dog friendly, run-off version of Barton Springs Pool where Greg and I used to always sit and chill our legs after long runs at the trail. We'll definitely be taking Daddy there later this week when he gets home from his trip. Piercy is sure he's never seen anything so enchanting in his whole life! I could almost see her thinking what she'd tell Greg if she had more words to use.

"You get to walk on rocks in your jellies, and then your feet get really cold and wet, and you get to pet other people's dogs, and you get licked in the face, and there are ducks, and there are big kids to watch, and the water is whooshing by really fast, and...."

Little Howler Monkey

So I guess I've done it again, and become in just another small way, my mother's very own carbon copy.  Greg teases me all the time that there never were two more similar people (which is only half the story, because we really are different in many ways too).  I guess I've become a young Park Mom myself.  The best bonus is the kind of sleepy that Park Babies are after spending a day running wild.