a view from the blue
I took the Potato to the playground alone yesterday. My brother and his family had taken the Bee to a basketball game, but they didn’t have enough tickets for both of the kids to go, so the Potato got some Mommy time. It was extremely crowded at the playground–the first nice weekend day in a while–and it made me realize how much I rely on the Bee to help me keep track of the Potato whenever we go there.
I had to keep bobbing around under and through the equipment, trying to keep an eye on his little blue hoodie. Becca had a post up recently about taking her kids to the playground, and being able to read a book, and while I’m not quite at that point, I do feel okay letting the Bee and the Potato play together without keeping a close eye out.
The playground that we go to most often is fairly large, with both a little kids’ & big kids’ section–and the Potato has gotten so used to playing on the big kids’ side with his sister that he turned his nose up at the little kids’ side this time. That meant I had to trail behind him, making sure he didn’t fall off anything that was too high, or slide down anything too steep.
It’s nice to be reminded, every once in a while, that having two kids isn’t always more work than having one.
Bumblebee Sweet Potato 
Jennifer (ponderosa) replied:
I took my kids to the park today, too. Both of them, but it’s a small park. Get this: In the 45 minutes we were there, the other adults (each with children in tow) were: 1 other mother, 2 grandmothers, 1 grandfather and FIVE dads. I often see dads at the playground around noon, but that’s a lot!
March 12, 2007 at 9:35 pm. Permalink.
Suzanne replied:
Yeah, that playground can be overwhelming! At big ones like that I find myself wanting to be cloned so that I can somehow keep track of both my kids.
How nice to be able to have some quality Potato time!
March 12, 2007 at 10:38 pm. Permalink.
sober briquette replied:
It’s not quite playground weather here, but I’ve been thinking about it – the good and the bad. Yesterday I did get a little break – put the kids in the back yard where I can see them from the kitchen sink and got a little quiet in my own house. Of couse, they amused themselves playing in MUD, but as I said, the good and the bad.
March 13, 2007 at 8:42 am. Permalink.
Jeff replied:
Oh boy, reading a book outdoors in the fresh air while #1 keeps an eye on #2 sure sounds dreamy. I am looking forward to that, very very much.
March 13, 2007 at 1:12 pm. Permalink.
Anjali replied:
I’m going to have to send a link to this post to a friend of mine who is considering having a second, but worried about the amount of work. I just got done telling her that when they get a little older, two kids is often easier than one. Great post.
March 14, 2007 at 3:14 pm. Permalink.
Jay replied:
Playtime for him sounds like workout time for you!
March 15, 2007 at 2:57 am. Permalink.
Liz replied:
Sounds like it was a great day. We have had a pretty great week. This weekend will be ugly and cold again.
It’s always fun to have that quality time with the young men in our lives. š My son and I went spent the day together on Sunday, first time in a long time and have a great time.
March 15, 2007 at 11:15 am. Permalink.