And now on a lighter note - A Day at the Park

This past weekend was quite rainy here in Arkansas. It was a bit of a challenge to keep the kids  entertained so when the sun broke through late in the afternoon on Sunday it was decided that we would go to the park. I don't think I have ever seen those two little ones get dressed and ready to head out the door so quickly. They wanted out!

We chose a favorite of mine, Wilson Park. It is a little further from the house but definitely worth the trek. They have two seperate playgrounds, one that is tailored for toddlers so this was our first stop.

Even though Lili is 6 and a little big for this area, she found ways to entertain herself. This alligator turned into a balance beam where she could practice her Olympic routine.


Ari decided that the dinosaur was lots of fun though she was a little disappointed once she finally made it up to discovered that it didn't bounce.



The play area became a ship from which we could travel the seas in search of magical dolphins. Once Ari tired of her turn steering I was assigned the job while Lili stood lookout on the bow.


Even though no-one was allowed to disembark during our journey a special exception was made for Ari so that she could go down the slide and then climb back up.



We sighted golden dolphins, hidden green dolphins, magical blue dolphins and the ever elusive silver dolphin. Lili decided that they should be caught with my camera rather than a net. Needless to say I came home with a number of "ready to delete" shots.

Once we tired of the high seas, it was time to head to the "fairy tree". This is probably my favorite tree in Arkansas and Lili immediately saw all the possibilities for fairy pools and slides and sleeping areas. There were even fairy flowers growing at the base.


While Lili pondered all the possibilites aloft, Ari seemed to stand watch. I have no idea what went through her mind in that moment but something on the horizon definitely captured her attention.



There is a wonderful area with structures made to capture the imagination. Lili decided it was a fairy castle and we went in search of the entrance. Once she'd climbed up it was time to survey her realm.


The little bridge drew her so she headed off to explore. It turns out that there were a couple of koi in the pond which of course became underwater mounts for the fairies.



Too soon it was time to head home.



Both the kids decided that this was a favorite and that we would be returning soon.