"Got To Find the Treasure!"

Yesterday, we met mamas K. & J., along with their kiddos G. & A. and S. & A., respectively, at the lovely River Farm.  We enjoyed a picnic and some lounging (and, thankfully, the near-90 temps were softened by the overcast sky).

Then, A., with the help of her friends A. & A., was on a mission to find a treasure (I'm not quite sure where she learned about 'treasure' . . . I thought I knew everything she knew and how she knows it.  Hmmm.). 

The kiddos loved the grounds and the play structures.

The littlest kiddos happily relaxed and napped.

But the day was not without some conflict.  A., you see, is having a very difficult time staying by my side and minding the word "STOP!" Yes, she has begun to run off and away from me - a situation made far worse by the fact that I'm also responsible for an infant who is either in the stroller, carrier, or in my arms.  It's not only frustrating, but it is - most importantly - dangerous.  My used-to-be a pretty-diligent (certainly not perfect) hand-holder and/or side-by-side walker and a recent stroller-holder has gone off the deep end, running away, and she did this a few times yesterday (once, as I went after A., my stroller lock didn't engage and E., in the stroller, went rolling backward.  This image still makes me so unhappy). 

So, she's in for it ("it" as in, she's in for dropping this new, scary tendency).  We're upping the hand-holding, reinforcing our "walking rules", encouraging and praising good walking behaviors, and correcting the undesirable and risky walking behaviors firmly and consistently.  A. must learn to stay with an adult, learn that there is a time and place for running, and - when the situation calls for it - stop when told to stop. The next time she abandons these rules, we're putting an end to the festivities, whatever they may be.  Because, to be short, I've had it and there's no way we can risk another run away - toddler and stroller.

That snafu aside, the late morning and early afternoon play date was lovely. I love this last picture.  It's hard to believe that two years ago, these littles were their siblings' age, just newbies.  And now, they're running, playing, and having two-year old conversations with another.  It's fun, it's astounding!