Tour of Parks 2012

I wrapped up clinical rotations last week and this week is technically finals week but since I had no finals I wrapped up projects and took most of the week off. Of course, the house is a disaster after 5 months of no deep cleaning and barely keeping up on vacuuming and dusting. The kids are really good about picking up their toys and clothes so that does help. T Rex Dad is also pretty great about helping but the yard has been needing attention so that does take some priority over clutter.


For all their hard work, patience, sharing, and just being great kids this week, we kicked off our Tour of Parks 2012. Last year it was about this time that we did the same thing.

Here are some of the highlights...

First stop IW Park. We had wrapped a trip to the library and picked up our groceries. I love that our local grocery store has a playland where I can leave the kids and shop uninterrupted for as long as I like. Plus, the kids really like going there and come home with charming art work. 

T Rex is learning how to propel himself on the swing. Although, he was a bit disgruntled that the swings were only "baby style". 

 

 

Switching gears...next a nature walk at KA Park. 

Once again, we did this exact walk nearly a year ago. However, at that time the geese and ducks already had babies. This year there were none yet. I think most are still on their nests so aside from other fellow walkers we were alone in the park. We actually wrapped the walk just in time as the rain started pouring. 

T Rex also got separated from Lil Sister and myself for about 3 minutes and although I could see him the entire time he was still quite concerned and told me he was scared afterward. However, he actually remained quite calm and handled the situation well. I think he will be a good at handling stress as an adult. 

Here are more photos...

We saw 5 turtles sunning themselves on a log.

A few geese and ducks.

Picking sticks...

Tossing sticks...

There's the beginning of our Tour of Parks 2012.


School is officially done. Now I can focus on studying for my certification exam later this month. Let the graduation celebrations begin!

Tour of Parks...

Our lovely small city is semi-famous for all the parks we have. As a treat to the kids after I finished spring semester, I took them to a different park every day to play and picnic. Fortunately, the weather also cooperated. I might be on break but T Rex Dad does still have to work. Hence, he is missing from the photos. One of the parks we went to was at his company recreation area so he did get to eat with us one day. Nana also made a guest appearance during one of our outings, too.

The kids had a great time. And I had just the best time being with them. Although, it was a little stressful when they would bolt in two different directions or when Bebe Sister decided to make a three and half foot drop. She suffered no ill effects from the drop as she took it feet first like stairs but I can only surmise one of the kids at one of the half dozen play structures we were at gave her a case of Roseola with nearly all the accompanying symptoms.

She is on the mend and likely the rest of us will not suffer any ill effects except sleep deprivation (T Rex has been taking 3 hours naps). The good aspect of her illness was it gave me a chance to do a little pediatric medicine to diagnose and treat her. Not much to treat except supportive care but when a child presents with a rash, the differential diagnoses could be one of a long list of things. I was very proud of my diagnosis. I must be learning something at school.

For now, though, I'm on break for three whole months. I plan to fill that time with an EKG refresher and some medical Spanish. However, when I'm not doing that and not working on some really fun crafting projects (more on that later), I'll be doing more of this...

He can name just about all the planets in order. He LOVES space.

Waiting for lunch.

Longingly watching her brother and hoping she can do the same thing. All too soon.

Being like Brother with some help for Mom.

On the "Bucking Rana" as he calls it - the "Bucking Frog" is in one of his favorite Berenstain Bear Books.

The kids on the swing set with Nana. (This one might be my favorite.)

Classic older sibling head lock, although, he thinks he is loving her Most of the time she doesn't mind.

Obviously, the photo at the very top of the blog in the header section is my most favorite (kind of Little House on the Prairie, I thought) from our tour of parks. However, I am not certain which of these others is my favorite.

Do you have a favorite of these photos?