Park Day

The day here did not start out so fabulously.  Sleep was fine but after the requisite videos in the morning Pip and Viv moved into whine mode.  I think I put them there when I asked that they return the sofa cushions to the sofa.  Much whining (my legs won't work!) ensued.  I am so tired of this.  I really can't take it anymore.  So after counting them to three I sent them upstairs and re-cushioned both sofas myself.  Then I posted this note in the living room:

Problem solved.  Phil read it when he got home and we had to send them 3 times to time out this evening, but they went happily -- even when the pillows were accidentally pushed onto the carpet -- as they had a little reading game/zone going up in their rooms.  I am looking forward to one full week where the cushions stay on the sofas!!

But back to earlier, after the initial time out we were trying to get ready for the park where we would be meeting Susan, Utah, and Janel's crews.  Pip wanted to pack some toys and was stuffing things in his backpack.  Vivie broke down because her backpack was upstairs and she claimed I needed to get it for her (I disagreed).  Then I told Pip he could not take Yahtzee and Memory -- ummm ... the park is outside Pip!  Both kids decided I was awful and to cry and whine at full tilt. 

I just kept trying for forward progress and got them in the car, but Pip refused to walk at Town Hall where we had to pit stop for Meg's birth certificate.  I had him counted to 2 and really should have called 3 and made good on my threats to skip the park, but he barely -- and this was really a judgement call -- escaped.  He fell asleep on the way to the park and when I woke him complained he didn't LIKE this park.  OMG -- his life was in danger at this point.  Luckily I was able to take the high road and my good attitude turned him around. 

Once at the park, we had the BEST time ever.  Pip and his cronies biked around the half mile loop 3 times.  They loved out-walking and running me on their bikes.  Then Pip mastered the spider web:

-- went all the way to the top.  Vivie had a blast on her bike as well, and the swings, and the slides.  She even picked some buttercups.

Thankfully Pip's T-ball game was called (tornado warning!) since they were both beat.  They eeked out the last of their energy -- I think adreneline kicks in at some point here -- for bathtime and books.  Vivie had the quote of the day after bath (and a good tantrum):  "that was a wake-up bath, right Daddy?"  No, my dear, that was a good night bath!

Good night, sweets.