Monday 10 September 2012

#One Week - Summer '12 - Park Life


This is our bench. The wobbly bench. The bench we've enjoyed many of our summer picnics on, when the weather has held, and the rain-laden clouds haven't indiscreetly shared their bounty. The bench sits between two large trees in the playground of our local park. It's the bench where Piggy (me) and Bunny (Little A) come out to play .....

"Would you like a ham sandwich Bunny?"

"No Piggy."

"Oh."

"Can I have a Frube instead Piggy?"

"I guess so Bunny. Here you go."

"Can I have some crisps too Piggy?"

"Are you going to have any sandwich Bunny?"

"I'll think about it. Can I play now?"

"What about lunch Bunny?"

"I'm all full up Piggy."

"But you've hardly eaten anything."

"Come Piggy (dragging mummy from the bench). Watch me scooter."

<sigh>

I'm rather attached to our wobbly bench. Just a shame I'm not sat on it for longer than five minutes .....


This summer has seen Little A grow in her physical confidence. She was a late walker, preferring to shuffle around on her knees and all fours, until she was nearly seventeen months old. She's over two and a half years old now but has only just mastered running, albeit slowly. With her elbows tucked under her armpits, she comically resembles a little old dear as she canters across the playground tarmac. She isn't skilled at jumping either, taking shy bunny hops as an alternative leap. I see younger children with greater motor skills than hers. There's a nagging worry at the back of my mind that Little A is lagging developmentally. Do I need to be concerned? I keep reminding myself that she was a very early talker, that she's always been physically cautious, and that she will eventually catch up. Nothing is wrong I say to myself. Nothing.

Anyway, to help with her coordination we bought Little A that much desired first scooter. Initially, she was guarded in her endeavours, taking small tentative pushes, but after practise, practise and yet more practise (thank you Younger Dad), she learnt to glide with ease. It's a good thing when you no longer have to schlep the buggy to the park - just the shoulder bag and little person on the scooter.

In turn, with her new scootering credentials, Little A has tackled the municipal climbing frame with sharpened aplomb. "Go away mummy, I can do this on my woone (own)," she orders as she plants each foot and hand assuredly, and climbs up the net ladder. "Look at me mummy, I can balance on this," as I take a fat gulp while she straddles atop the highest slide...



This is the first day of the seasonal linky One Week. Over the next five days (Monday till Friday) I'll be posting a photograph(s) and a few words that diarises and distills my experience of summer '12. Take a peep at the details here. You can join in for one, two ... or the full five days. And don't forget to add #oneweek on Twitter.


Badge Code ...

<a href="http://older-mum.blogspot.co.uk/p/one-week.html" title="One Week"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8436/7807711152_c1a4245128_m.jpg" width="225" height="169" alt="one week"></a>

12 comments:

  1. I love your annotated photos!

    My two and a half year old is also very prone to the phrase 'I can do it on my own' usually pronounced as 'I do it. Go 'way Mummy!'

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you - I had fun editing them! They get so assertive at this age don't they? X.

      Delete
  2. Have been looking at these photos trying to work out if I know your local park! I remember being concerned as Pip couldn't jump either. I think it's quite a difficult concept for them to grasp in some ways. He got it in the end though. Hurrah for scooters. Make life so much easier (when they get the hang of it anyway). I like little A's orange one. Much better to have one that's easily distinguishable from the pink and blue. x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's Wendell Park actually - I don't know if you knew it when you used to live around these parts - a lovely small family park. Thank you for the reassurance - good to know that Pip didn't start jumping till later either. Little A adores her scooter! X.

      Delete
  3. Go way mummy: the clarion cry of all 2something little girls. Bibsey is just the same!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are such little madams aren't they? Little A is so bossy! X.

      Delete
  4. she is adorable and i love the scooter!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes she is when she isn't ordering me around ;o). Little A loves her scooter too - glad we bought orange, and not pink ... X.

      Delete
  5. Have scooter, will climb! Love your bench. We have one too and I have to stash snacks under the pram at all times ready to sit regardless of when we pass it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think most of us Mums has a preferred park bench :o) Snacks stashed in the pram are an absolute must! X.

      Delete
  6. My friends little girl didnt walk until the day before she was 2. She was an early talker too! They said she didn't need to walk because she was too busy talking! She is 12 now - nothing wrong with her!! Xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's a relief to know. Girls tend to be early talkers - Little A never shuts up talking or singing! I'm sure she'll catch up in the end. X.

      Delete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...