In the Park

I was waiting for Rick to come home from working out to go for a walk in the sunshine, forgetting that his Wing Chun was moved up from 6:30 to 5:30 tonight.
He reminded me and asked when supper would be ready. Well, I threw the egg plant parmesan together much faster than I thought was possible. It was really GOOD!
When Rick was pulling out of the driveway, Lucas burst into tears, "Daddy didn't say goodbye!" he wailed. What could I do to help soothe that sad little heart? A walk! We hadn't gone for a walk yet and the park sounded like the perfect distraction.
Several minutes later, bundled in coats and a helmet for Lucas we started out. It takes about 15 minutes to walk to the little park. It has a baseball diamond, some picnic tables, swings, and ( the best part) DIRT!
Lucas started out in the swing, while Abrianna toddled about chewing on a Popsicle stick from home. "Higher Momma, Higher!"cried Lucas.
After 5 minutes or so, I told Lucas it was sister's turn. I pushed a minute or two and then he asked if he could push. Sure, why not. He pushed and pulled the swing trying as only a two-year-old can to coordinate his movements and get out of the way of the swing. As it was, it crashed into his helmeted head several times sending him sprawling into the wood chips. Not to be deterred, he sprung back up giggling, to do it again.
There is a special bond between siblings. Abrianna and Lucas laughed and giggled as he pushed making the swing dance from side to side.
Next it was onto the corner of the wood chips where there was small bank of dirt. Lucas pushed "Doc Hudson" and his motorcycle through the dirt as Abrianna sat on her hind end shoveling dirt into her mouth hand over fist.
Then deciding there were more important things to conquer she stood and scrambled up the foot-tall embankment. That was all fine and dandy. The problem was she thought she could get down as easily as she got up. Down she fell, landing o face first. Oh did she wail. She has some new scratches on her face and was covered in wood chips and dirt. Some comforting from mommy and a few kisses and she had to try again. This time she picked up Lucas helmet and with a little help, put it on. Next she toddled to the precipice holding tightly to mommy's hand. Brother walked over and she reached out her hand towards him. He clasped her hand in his and then she made her second attempt to walk down the hill. She was successful.
Both of my children were in desperate need of a bath after our adventure. I was shocked. I had Lucas lay back in the tub and the dirt that washed out formed a ring around him in the tub. My tub is absolutely filthy! I hope this picture will give you and idea of just how dirty he was. P.S. To Rick's credit he took Lucas hot-tubbing this evening. And he did tell Lucas good-bye before he left but didn't see or respond to Lucas' waving as he pulled out of the driveway.