Our favorite park...

Liz is an amazing climber. Up until about 2 weeks ago, she had never climbed up this jungle gym at all. She was perfectly content to just go inside and play on the bottom rungs. Then one day, she randomly climbs all the way to the top without any help and then swings from the bars. Before I could climb inside to help her down and keep her from falling, she was on the ground, flat on her back and laughing hysterically. She really is a grown up little girl.

Grandma Debbie sent the cute little cowboy outfits for the kids. Liz loves hers and tells everyone about how she is going to be a cowgirl for Halloween. She also loved being a ham for the camera because she was wearing her new clothes. Funny, that still works for me too.

Jack is finally venturing out to crawl on the grass. He is naturally very suspicious of the idea, but is now enjoying the feel on his knees. I think what won him over though was the feel of mud on his knees and between his fingers. He is such a little boy!

Somehow knowing that we are leaving Rexburg (finally) in December has made me quite sentimental about the silliest things. This park is about 3 blocks from where we used to live and therefore Liz and I went there all of the time when she was a baby. We also went there nearly every day when I was watching Adney. (My longtime blog followers will remember Adney well.) We have been there in the blazing heat, the freezing cold and every crazy blustery day that Rexburg has to offer. I will miss it when I go... Okay, so I know that makes me ridiculously sentimental, but everyone already knew that about me anyway. This park just feels like home.
The equipment is old school. You know, the kind that we played on as kids. The slide is metal and will burn you in the summer. The jungle gym, also metal, was probably once painted with lead paint, but don't worry, it is long gone now. The little bouncy animals are mounted on springs probably from old semi-trucks, and the swings are made from old tires and even older chains. I love it.
So, old park, this is my tribute to you. My children have loved your grass
and your shade. I have loved the joy you have brought to my children and the breaks that your existence afforded me. Thank you to the many parents who have emptied your swings of water so that my kids could enjoy them later. Thanks to the man who actually has to get inside the jungle gym to trim the grass. Thank you for being kind to my kids, the highest commendation that I can give you... (insert sappy sniffle here)