warm days

This is the park next to our apartment buildings (seen in the background).  The park is on a hill with a lot of stairs.  It doesn't seem like much, looking at the picture now, but when I'm hauling small children, or negotiating a stroller, or trying to get them home . . . well, this park is not mom friendly.

But the kids are getting more independent - I'm not as terrified of them losing their balance and tumbling down the hills, or stairs for that matter.  They can climb the walls and playground equipment, and mostly seem to know when to stop and ask for help.  They seem to understand the boundaries of the park, and both have a healthy fear of cars so they don't ever run too far.

The past three days have been beautiful weather.  My friend had gone to the lake for a bike ride with her daughter, and in my mind I was planning on ways to join her - then I remembered that I just had a baby last week and I shouldn't be doing that kind of stuff.  I always overdo it - cramming in way too many activities, errands - even in my lesson planning as a teacher.

But, I'm getting better at pacing myself.  And today, I sat on the bench with Tuana in the baby carrier and I was happy to soak up the sun and watch our nanny, and later - Tolga - play with the kids in the park.

Quiet.  Peaceful.  All together.