Water, Water Everywhere
Bean and I often keep ourselves busy during the day by playing in the water. Whether it’s the pool, the water table, a sprinkler, or just a hose, most days we can be found out in our backyard dripping wet. So, it’s no surprise that one of our favorite parts of living in Orlando has been the abundance of splash pads across the city. Last summer when we lived in the hell hole of a rental house, we didn’t have a backyard that was really good for playing so we were at the splash parks pretty often. This year, we had our first visit to one on the north side of town on Friday.
We met a few new friends up there with their kids and played until Bean was good and worn out.
This is Tara. She’s a blog reader. And her son is the biggest, happiest eight month old I’ve ever met!
And this is Rachel. She’s a blog reader, too. Her son’s name is Benjamin and he’s two, just like Bean. I coveted his silky, straight, blonde hair.
We had a really nice time chatting while our kiddies played, but I think Bean had the most fun. He walked that splash pad from one end to the other and then back again.
He seemed content to play by himself, but every now and then he’d yell out to me, “Come on, Mom!” and so I’d throw Gracie in her sling and we’d take off through the water with Bean. By the time we got to the car that afternoon, Gracie’s sling was soaking wet, but she was sleeping soundly inside her little nook. She didn’t even know she’d just run around like a crazy person through a water park.
Saturday morning was the first day of the Memorial Day weekend. Chris and I had planned to spend the day together as a family doing something fun. I think sometimes he feels a little left out that I get to do all these fun things with Bean during the day while he is at work. So, Saturday morning I had this great idea that we should go to a splash park so that Chris could have that fun, too.
This time we went to a different splash park on the south side of town and I ran into another sweet blog reader named Meghan. She was there with her two year old son, Gabriel. We chatted for a minute and then Bean taunted her son with his Buzz Lightyear. Two year old’s are fun and slightly embarrassing…
After that, I spent the rest of our time in the splash park telling Bean to get his face off the ground and quit drinking the water.
But every time I yelled across the water park to him, he’d pretend like he didn’t hear me and he’d yell back, “What???? WHAT??? WHAT, MOM?????”
And I know he heard me. I’m quite loud.
He gets that from his father.
But I forgave him of his temporary, selective hearing loss when he came over and snuggled with me. Whenever he cuddles now, I always whisper to him that cools kids hug their mommies. I’m hoping if I say it enough, it’ll plant a seed in his brain and when he’s a teenager he’ll think hugging his mom is cool.
It’s little things like this that help me make peace about the fact that Bean is turning two years old tomorrow. Two year old’s still think it’s cool to hug their moms.
22 Comments
Ashley @ A Recipe for Sanity
Aww! I hope Bean keeps on hugging you for a long time to come. I can’t believe he will be two tomorrow! Time flies.
Alyssa
Look at that little face. So cute! My 2 year old hugs me, but he’s 2 so sometimes when I say give mommy a hug he runs over to daddy and hugs him and looks at me and laughs. Thanks for breaking my heart kid.
Ella
Looks like a fun time! I cant believe The Bean is turning 2!! That means ive been following your blog for just over 2 years now. Happy Birthday Bean! Have a fun day tomorrow!
Tara
The South side one looks so huge and fun. I know what you mean Chris feels like he misses out. Me and the hubs have an agreement I can not do any firsts without him. I think so far he is ok with the splash pads but not major things like Disney. And I have been subliminal messaging my son for months I think it is worth a try. LOL 🙂
Nate's Mom @ Nate is Great
Got to ask – do these blog readers see Bean, see you, and go, “Holy crap! That’s BEAN!” It would be pretty funny if that were the case! The photo of Beaner drinking water out of the ground is pretty classic. That one should also be shown at his wedding. 😉
Katy @ MonsterProof
I want to run in the water! So hot here! Happy early birthday to your cool kid!
Alaina
Aw, looks like so much fun!
Bec
I am missing out, living in the Northwoods. I think I get the idea of a splash pad, but have never heard of such a thing until now.
Jen @ Caved In
How cool are splash pads? We just bought a small inflatable pool that’s going up this weekend. Going to be a necessity this summer with Sullivan. Can’t believe Bean is almost 2. Seems like yesterday I was reading your Halloween post about being pregnant. Crazy
Jen at Cabin Fever
That’s awesome you run into blog readers at the water park. Small world, huh? And I wish we had splash pads where I grew up in Maryland. Man it was hot… but we settled for swimming in rivers and the bay (over on the Eastern Side of the state away from the cities and sludge). At least you are beating the heat! 🙂 Cabin Fever in Vermont
Lindsay (Young Married Mom)
Wow! He looks like he’s grown up so much in the past, what, two days? What a little boy! And I am going to start that “it’s cool to hug your mom” thing. Genius. Absolutely genius.
Grandma
Happy Birthday, sweetie! I love that you are a water bug!
Rachel @ Linesacrossmyface
Thanks for telling us about this place… it is a lot of fun. I LOVE the picture of Bean drinking the water.
Amy @ A Little Nosh
My little guy is 3 1/2 and he hugs me more than ever. But I’m well aware that it won’t last and I take in the moment every single time.
Casey
Orlando has way cooler splash pads than Venice & Sarasota! We are coming up that way next week to visit some family… we’ll have to hit one of those up. Where are they??
Also… random… I did a post on water & splash fountains today, too!
Angela
My gosh, Beaners looks so much older now!
I think you got a few more years of cuddle time left 🙂
Waiting for Bulgaria
I’m slightly (okay insanely) jealous of all your splash parks. And while it may not be funny to you that Bean was drinking water off the ground, I find it hilarious.
Rebecca @ The Reluctant Houswife
That looks like a blast! The only splash park we have here is at the zoo…and as soon as Zoe can walk, that’s where we’ll be!
melissa
dear katie,
my baby is ten and she hugs me all the stinking time. we love it. i hope the hugs continue for years to come (for both of us! you and me!).
love, melissa
Jennifer
Looks like a neat little place, I wanna go. But then that would mean I’d have to put on a bathing suit…
Kristi
That last picture needs to be framed! It is so cute!!
Kelly H
Aww! Happy birthday Bean!