Spontaneous Picnic at Duck Pond

For those of you with a dry wit, no our little family did not roast up some ducks for a picnic. But this afternoon after our library nursery rhyme group we spontaneously headed to a local duck park to have a picnic out in the warm sun.

We enjoyed our sandwiches, peanut butter and marshmallow for two lucky little girls, and tuna for two nutrition-minded adults.

With crackers and raisins still in hand we headed over to the ducks with a bag of mildly stale breadcrumbs.

We had not anticipated the affect of warm weather causing other families to have visited the ducks previously. So Matt and Rachael had a mini adventure trying to lull the already-full fat waddlers over to Mommy and Abi's safe and comfortable bench. Abi, not enjoying the spontaneity of animals (they move too fast) warmed up to the idea of scattering bread a few inches from her feet after first starting the adventure in the safety and comfort of said bench. 

Rachael, fearless when her Daddy's there to protect her, had a great time emptying the bag and distributing handfuls of bread all over the sidewalk in an effort to get them in the pond water. With increased practice, her aim and ability provided more comfortable distances for the over-eating pleasures of our new winged friends. But due to their previous meals, interest was soon lost and we found ourselves quite obliviously still unloading our bread for future pond-life snacks.

Then came the park play, critical when any park is in view.

 Abi trying to figure out how to approach crossing a bouncy bridge. 

She eventually decided that walking was acceptable when clinging to Mommy's hand. Rachael also needed some reassuring when said bridge moved highly unpredictably and frighteningly.

The slide adventures were fun. 

As were the methods of getting to the slide: challenging and fun.

And then we headed over to the swings, upon Rachael's leadership decision. Check out the contrast in the responses to the swings below.

 Verses:

I would like to take this moment to inform you that we did not offer or enforce Abi riding the swing. Abi chose to get in the swing, a choice we always leave up to her without any persuading, because inevitably every time the above terrified face occurs and immediate rescuing is required. Abi DOES NOT like swingset swings. Not in the safety and comfort of our backyard, not at the park, not when everyone else is doing it. Abi and swingset swings are a BIG no-no. Yet I find it funny that she is in love with the concept of swinging, from afar the idea of swinging does look fun, but the actual event of swinging always ends up the same horrifying way. God love the little girl. That face just makes you want to reassure the poor thing that NEVER AGAIN will we ever let her convince herself that she might like swings. But alas, we let her steak her independence (provided that it isn't defiant or harmful) and then rescue her from her former drive when it turns to trauma.

So much fun had by all on our spontaneous picnic at the duck pond. Even a left-behind dinosaur friend enjoyed our company.

Enjoy the beautiful weather, all, and please... by all means, please don't roast up the local ducks. ;)