"Where's The Mother Cricket?!"
Sunday, October 2, 2011 at 10:07AM For A., every baby needs its mama. And a small cricket she met during our visit to Sky Meadow State Park yesterday was no exception. She promptly asked our dear friend E., who bravely held and displayed the small cricket for A., "where's the mother cricket?!" Low and behold, the mama cricket wasn't far. Just a few moments later, we found a giant cricket nearby. Look at the joy on my bug-loving child's face!
Yesterday, was an adventure of many wonderful sorts. If you ask A., she will first tell you that she saw crickets. She'll tell you that she made a candle. She will tell you that she picked out a pumpkin for our next-door neighbor, Ms. T. She will tell you that she spent the day, in the mountains, with her friend E.
She won't - but I will - tell you about a sudden bout of motion/car sickness that she experienced after eating a handful of strawberries or - GRRRRR - my discovery of my inner mama bear when another not-nice behaving much-older girl blocked my dear A.s exit from a play tunnel, said "get out" and purposely knocked her over (I was not, not, not, not, NOT happy, could not help but tightly point out to the child's father her actions, and probably spent a good portion of the afternoon griping about this display of poor behavior aimed at my dear, loving, innocent, and playful two-year old). That's the beauty of a happy and healthy toddler: she's so resilient. Her memory of the negative is wonderfully short-lived and she lets all disturbances roll off her like water on a duck's back. Plus, the reality is, A. will grow older and have to learn how to stand her own. I can't - and shouldn't (unless there's a hint of potential for physical injury!!) - always run interference. Sigh.
E. will tell you that she was snug as a bug in the baby carrier and in her stroller. She will also tell you that the touch of grass or straw amuses her to no end.
This state park is lovely, though during our visit the weather was less than ideal: very windy, in the 40s, and with the occasional pelts of rain. But somehow, we muscled through the elements, enjoying hot cider and ample fresh air. Our pictures (right here) seem to tell a different weather story, in fact. By looking at them, you'd never know we were freezing our rears off (at least the adults were; the kiddos seemed just fine, as they should have been given their many layers).
Our visit concluded with a nap-filled drive to Leesburg (well, for the children), where we enjoyed a rare lovely meal/brunch out at an Italian restaurant recommended by dear E. I think all of us were ready for naps after our outdoor adventure. Thank you, E., for joining us for a wonderful morning and afternoon. And, thank you, outdoors for being there for us as we enjoy every moment we possibly can this Fall. But mostly thank you to the children for making our Saturday morning so magical and memory-filled.
Reader Comments (2)
True, A will have to learn to defend herself in the future, but as I see it (exactly how you do!:)) someone needs to teach her.....and that was mama bear! WOOT to defending two year olds. I have to admit, I remember only one time that my E. was three and being bullied at the park, I let my mama bear out in full force. It never felt SO GOOD!
P.s. CUTE babies!
These pictures bring me so much happiness - I love Audrey's little walking stick and Emma bundled up in knits. Thank you again, my Virginia Family, for bringing me along with you. I had a great day!