Aw, yesterday was lovely--believe it or not, knowing the day before we got a few inches of snow! We were able to have tons of fun and spend lots of time outside! Heaven!
We started off the morning by heading to Park Day at a big park here in town, met up with some other ladies in the ward. It was a lot of fun, Ralphie was super cute. At one point I was swinging all the kids (including Ralphie) on the tire swing and they all started singing together…but their own song. Adorable.
However, something bad happened too…I was talking to a friend, Iwalani, and looked away from Ralphie for no more than a minute (I had been watching him like a hawk, but he was playing with little Cadence so I figured he would stay near her and close)…but next thing we know they are MISSING! And this park is pretty big…and backs a VERY busy four lane highway!! So I started searching for him…some of us went one way, the others the other way. For some weird reason I was insanely calm…even though he was missing and minutes were passing and I still wasn’t finding him…I wasn’t freaking out! Whether I was just in shock or something was telling me that he was ok I don’t know, but I stayed calm…even when my mind kept thinking all these horrible things that could happen to him!
Finally from the other side of the park someone yelled, “They are over here!” So I ran over…they were all the way across this big soccer field by the gate and high way splashing in puddles. Oh, I was so glad I found him! Of course I tried to tell him to never leave or run off and always stay where he can see Mommy…but you know I am sure none of it made sense or sunk in. So…I am saying some serious prayers of thanks you today!
However, I don't know what to do! I literally watch him like a hawk...sometimes it seems more so than the other parents watch their kids. Are their kids just older and smarter? Or is Ralphie just curious and/or belligerent? How am I supposed to bring him to the park and enjoy it if I literally can't take my eyes off him? Anyone have any suggestions or ideas??
Later Charming and I took him to another little park we like to visit and attempted to fly the kite…it worked briefly…then we watched Ralphie drive his car along the brick wall for a bit and were about to leave when a few people in our ward showed up…who had a dog…which Ralphie chased for about 15 minutes non-stop…he almost followed it out of our site about three times so we had to chase him down and make him come back. Ugh! I have no idea what I am going to do with him! Please...share your ideas!
It gets a bit easier as they get older. I remember following my now 12 year old onto the climbing structures at the park when he was a toddler. By the time my younger two were able to scramble around the park, my oldest was mature enough to help me keep an eye on them.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad he was okay! I'm impressed that you stayed so calm.
ReplyDeleteI think he's just a curious boy. Lucy's super curious too and also very independent. When I take her to the park, I still watch her like a hawk, but I keep my distance so that she can feel like she's doing what she wants but also being safe. Cause I know too that if I took my eyes off of her she'd be off splashing in some puddle too!
Kids are probably older-- as yes, there are just some years I don't enjoy going to park day as there are certain ages you do have to watch them like a hawk and then I just get jealous of the moms sitting there visiting.
ReplyDeleteSo either have to try a smaller park or just give up on having mommy time at the park until he is bigger. Oh and some kids do just stay more, espeically little girls seem to.
How scary- I am glad he is okay! It does get easier but I have to constantly watch at all times. Both of my kids are so curious about everything and it gets me worried,
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