Thursday, May 6, 2010

I Heart the Park



I have spent countless hours at the parks of New York. And, once Reuben was old enough for me to spend those hours on the bench watching him play I grew to heart the park. At the park, I feel like a good mom. My child is active, happy, learning social skills, and not watching TV or complaining about anything.

The community is strong at the parks of New York. Mothers and other care givers share their snacks with my scavenger. Children quickly become friends. Ninety percent of the time we can find some friends at one of the playgrounds within walking distance.

My summer tan comes even through the sunscreen. We all get our vitamin D.

And in the summer, the water features are a welcome refresher. Just some of that cold water on my feet and I can stay there for another hour.

Parks aren't the same in other places, the parks in New York are special. I think I will always miss Riverside Park. It has everything--small contained playgrounds, tall tall trees, secluded trails, grassy areas, and photo opportunities galore.

I will admit, though, that I look forward to sand-free bath tubs.

7 comments:

Sandy M. said...

I love parks too. I used to spend a lot of time in the parks of Adelaide, where I grew up.
When did Reuben suddenly grow up so much? He's not a toddler at all any more :)

xo

Talyn said...

I'm pretty sure the sand is a childhood thing, not just a NYC thing, so don't get your hopes up just yet.

On the other hand WJ parks were always empty. Atlanta parks are sparsely populated and often with children whose grandparensts keep telling them to stay away from your children so as not to bother them. (It's called playing with them not bothering them.)

Morgan said...

i heart nyc parks too. riverside park is so wonderful, i don't know what i would do without it! we are going to miss you guys! :( i don't think asher is going to know what hit him... all of his little boy friends are moving. he will be so sad next year. hopefully some more will move into our building and/or the ward.

Tammy Lorna said...

I miss Riverside Park already :(

xo Tammy

PS. love the photos!

Mindy said...

Did Reuben draw that lion all by himself?! If so, he's quite the artist.
I like going to the park to play with my kids, not other kids playing with my kids, so I don't know if I could do NY. I like a bubble of space to follow me around. Sounds like you have finally adjusted to NY...boy you're going to have a hard time leaving now huh?

Lark said...

Mindy we just say your mom and sister having lunch at New China.

breckster said...

I drew the lion--Reuben was adding the legs. :)