16 July 2011

i'm grateful for 'parks & playgrounds'

Greetings all,
In holiday mode & loving it.  When the children say "can we go the park" i say "sure".  I'll take ANY free entertainment in the school holidays thanks . . . so Maxabella Loves, 'I'm Grateful For' the endless free entertainment of local parks.  Strangely enough, they are usually empty of any children, where are they??  In that childless town in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, hiding from the Child Collector (creepiest children's movie character EVER)??  Don't we all know 97% of kidnappings happen by someone you know??  Is it that awful to hang at the park with your children??  Healthy free fun, get out of the house!! 
First up, this photo made my husband & i cry with laughter, talk about odd one out.  My mother would never take us to a park with swings, there were NEVER enough swings, or the right swings & it never ended well.  I can see why . . .
Somehow my children always have to take parks to the extreme - swing the highest . . . 
 swing out over the slippery dip . . .
 climb up over the enclosed safety slippery dip . . .
 spin themselves into a stupor . . .
 ok so this is possibly what the park designers intended, to go up the rope, but then he abseiled down it, upsidedown??!!
I should have known, when they were little they'd climb over the sun shade canopy above the play ground equipment, shimmy down poles, all of them, like monkeys.  Ditto for the tallest trees.  My high schooler still loves tearing up a playground.  They are climbers & jumpers, choosing to go down the slippery dip head first on their backs, even as 1 year olds.  My sister (an overprotective/ sensible mother) could not watch my children in a park, they gave her a heart attack & her children would look on with that "why would they think to do that" expression on their faces (similiar to mine, only i'd be pretending they weren't my children).  Well, her children have broken how many bones compared to my guys - still 100% unbroken??  Anyway, long live the local park!!  Or if you're adventurous, a park in the next suburb over or beyond.  Love Posie

22 comments:

Kate said...

I love that top photo so much! Hilarious.
Today we went to a playground that was so jam packed with kids that there was a queue for the swings. Luckily my big girl thinks that pushing is just as fun as swinging. It does make me wonder tho when you pass an empty playground, where all the children are.

Cat said...

I love going to parks with the girls, it's one of the best free activities to do with them. My two could swing on a swing for hours I think. Love that top photo, every child has to have a photo taken when they're pouting don't they:) xo

Anonymous said...

Love the photos! I'm a huge fan of parks - any park I come across on a day to day basis. During the week when I'm nannying I take the kidlets to three or four in the area, and on the weekends I always go out of my way to find a new one for Miss A. Nothing calms me more than spending time in the park. xx

Sarah B said...

That first pic is a hoot. Kids spend too much time inside these days, obviously not yours though which is great. As kids we were always outside, making cubbies, riding bikes, rollerskating and just having fun. Bring back the good old days!

Kellie said...

I can't stop laughing at that photo. That is too funny! I can't wait for the weather to warm a little more and get back out to the playground. Love watching Ella's reaction on the swings. Although, she never swings quite that high! xx

Bron said...

Parks are at there best when there are no other kids....I don't do dare devils very well either.

Cate said...

Wow - an empty park?? Our local park you have to wait for a turn on the swing...think we'll have to come and hang out near your house!!
Looks like a lot of fun :-)
have a great weekend Posie
xxxCate

supermac said...

These photos are just so precious. I'd have a heart attack too if they were my kids. But I can see that they have become such playground experts. Love this post so much.

G said...

hehe that top picture is awesome. i still have endless amusement with friends trying to get pictures like that (we're 23) .. ! parks are such a great way to use some energy too aren't they. stopping by from maxabella xx

polkadotpeticoat said...

You have kids as spunky as you....just wonderful, I have missed so many posts while I was slaving away at home with my own brood!!! I'm off to catch up with you Momma!

The Provincial Homemaker said...

I just love that first photo. I can't wait until Ginger is a bit older and we can start taking her to the park.

posie blogs Jennie McClelland said...

I'm so glad you all 'get' that top photo, i just took it randomly aiming to get nice images of my two girls on the swings, had no idea the 3rd daughter was doing her best 'unloved orphan' pouty face. It's a classic for sure, that & my high schooler in the baby seat swing??!! Love Posie

Seaweed and Raine said...

I love that you get your kids out and let them do what kids should be doing! :) PLAYING. :)
A lot of the others will likely be at home with their eyes glued to a screen of some sort sadly.
Long Live Parks!!! Oh, and next time your kids are playing on the swings/slide/equipment - let the little kid in you out and go join 'em! :D I know I do! lol

Maxabella said...

We live at the local parks, we'll do any within a five k radius Plus there's one to walk to at the end of our street and we've created dodgy park in our own bush backyard (the council would never approve the safety factor of our home park, not in a million!) There isn't a bad day at our place that a park hasn't sorted in moments. x

Anonymous said...

On one of the bright sunny days here I took my three kids plus two playdate friends to the local park. I couldn't believe how long the boys kicked the footy and the girls played on the slides and swings for. Clearly the cold weather has kept us far too much indoors. Gorgeous photos as always Posie x

Lisar said...

My niece and nephew LOVE the park...they frequently play master chef making spaghetti out of pine needles, broccoli
Out of weeds and meat sauce out of tan bark. Then they collect berries, blow dandelions and all manner of other little adventures....long live playgrounds!

Lauren said...

I hear you! free entertainment out in the fresh air what could be better!

Jen (Melei) said...

Hi Jen
Love the top photo as well, funny!! I am totally like your sister, overprotective and worried. I would have had a heart attack for sure. One thing i must say, does your children not feel the cold? Bare legs in July?? I know i should be used to it being from Sweden and all but i hate the cold. Love
Jen

First House on the Right said...

Hi Jennie, I'm your newest follower :) Found your blog over at Annie's A View on Design. Nicolex

First House on the Right said...

Hi Jennie, I'm your newest follower :) Found your blog over at Annie's A View on Design. Nicolex

sara said...

Hello there Jennie,

That park looks fantastic fun, your kids are certainly great little climbers.........our parks are always full to bursting in the summer months with families picknicking and playing cricket........a great free day out.

lily

Anonymous said...

I LOVE this post! Seeing children at play always puts a smile on my face and so takes me down memory lane when my 4 were clammering to go to the parks. I miss those days and sadly, those days with my grandsons - due to the miles between - are far and few between. Thank you.