We've spent the past few weekend exploring new parks. We've been to some of the old standbys, Hermit's Trail and Lake Lily. We've rediscovered old parks from our own childhoods, like Westmonte and Big Tree Park (we visited The Senator, a famous 3500 year old Bald Cypress tree that was already a tourist attraction in the 1800's). And we've found new parks that hide in our neighborhood, like the Maitland Community Center park, and Turnbull park within walking distance! Hermit's Trail has tons of equipment but is sandy and sunny. Lake Lily has ducks but a meager playground for the Goose. Westmonte is shady and full of slides that Greyson loves, but it's across town a little bit. Big Tree Park had a decent playground but it was in full sun. The Maitland park seemed nice, and shady, but was crowded the day we went. Turnbull is great for early morning walks and staying close to home. Once he can throw and kick a ball around, this will be a great park to have so close. It has a baby swing next to a big kid swing and Greyson thought it was just ducky to swing alongside his Mama.
Speaking of Mama. Grey is going through a major Mama's boy phase. He has been melting down in the evenings. I don't know if he's tired, hungry, or just cranky from a long day but we're having a heck of a time keeping him happy after work/school. Sometimes he wants to watch Yo Gabba Gabba (his only tv show, thankfully it's a really cool show that Mike and I enjoy too, with no commercials). Most of the time he wants a bottle. I had hoped to wean him off the bottle by 18 months. I gave him some leeway after we took the boob away, and he only gets the bottle at bedtime and occasionally naptime on the weekends. But now he's asking for it more and more, and earlier in the evening. Last night he had a total meltdown but we didn't give in. We went outside for a walk and managed to calm him down enough to eat his dinner. But he didn't want Daddy, he wanted Mama. I hear him wake up and start calling for Mama from his crib. It's the sweetest thing, I can't deny it. But it can be a burden too, being the ONE. I'll happily hand him over to Dada when he's acting cranky like last night!
All he wants to do lately is be outside. He loves to just wander the driveway and sidewalk and neighborhood. It's our routine now, go outside, swing for a while, find oranges to use as balls (did I mention how well Greyson throws a ball? with both hands!), sit in Dada's truck and pretend to drive, or just pull all of the change out of the cup holder. Hope that neighbor Fabiana comes outside and offers us a ride in her wagon. Aren't they cute? Unfortunately Fabi is moving away next week. She hopes to return to the same house in a year, we can't wait for our little playmate to come back! They should be perfect playmates at 2 years old.
