This is a picture of a rainy park. It was a dull day, constant drizzle giving way to heavier downpours. No sun. The park was deserted, but it’s a picture I love and a day I want to remember, because in its own way it was pretty special.
Spending time with Frog, on my own, is something I feel incredibly lucky to be able to do. I never take it for granted because, this time last year, I was working anything up to 80 hours some weeks, and time with my daughter was often spent bleary-eyed and exhausted. Although I knew I needed to treasure the mundane moments, it wasn’t always easy to do. Stress and exhaustion can be tricky like that.
Frog starts school later this year. A summer baby, she will be one of the youngest in her year. I will happily admit I have been fretting about how she will cope with the longer hours. Last week we decreased her pre-school days from five mornings to four because she was getting too tired. I figured, as I now work mainly from home in the hours that I choose (I do love being self-employed!) I may as well make the most of it. For the first time ever Frog will have every single Friday at home. With me. And this makes me happy. Like I said, I don’t take it for granted – I know I’m blooming lucky to be in this position.
Back to the rainy park, then. It was a special trip because of its simplicity. Just the two of us, we booted up and threw some waterproof layers on. Frog had been desperate to get outdoors. Going to the park was the last thing I fancied, with a stinking cold and the torrential rain, but I gave in and threw some wellies on.
I’m glad I did. We ran around, played hopscotch, climbed, slid and swung. I have no doubt that, as Frog grows up, this particular visit to the park will blend in with all the others. There were no amazing incidents. She didn’t meet a new friend. The weather wasn’t stunning. But we had fun and returned home happy. It’s ordinary days like these that a happy childhood make, in my opinion.
I can still remember trips to the park with my own parents when I was little. My sister didn’t arrive until I was nearly four, so I had lots of time solo with Mum and Dad. There was a weekly evening that Dad would take me to the park on my own, when my Mum was tutoring a student at our house. I can also recall lots of trips with my mum to our local park, learning to ride a bike and going on the roundabout. There’s not one particular day that I remember, but overall I look back on a general picture of happiness. There was laughter, fun, proper conversations with Mum or Dad away from the daily chores or their work.
When we decided to put an offer on the house we now live in, we took a walk around the village. I was delighted to find a park with lots of new play equipment. I think a well stocked park is a signal of a thriving community, with plenty of children and families around. It was then we knew this was the village for us.
I may not be sunning myself on a beach on the other side of the world. I may not lead a high-powered lifestyle, with champagne on tap and business meetings in New York. I may not be climbing mountains or trekking across rainforests. But you know what? I’m happy. I don’t ever spend my life thinking “What if?”. I don’t hanker after anything, apart from the occasional break in the rain. I am rich, beyond my wildest dreams.
All it takes is an ordinary trip to the park to remind me of that.
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Linking up this week to Country Kids at Coombe Mill and The Ordinary Moments at Mummy Daddy Me.
A very ordinary moment, but also a beautiful one! Well put. I will bear in mind what you said about a well stocked park if we ever move. I can’t wait to take Fred to the park and play on the climbing frames with him 🙂
I never go out if it’s raining. Ever. Unless I HAVE to and it’s in the car. I should really force myself to take the kids out more when the weather isn’t at it’s best.
I love having time with our two individually too. It’s extra special time when I can go out with LP or take Little Man somewhere. It’s also lovely having time as a family but I love having the one on one time too.
What a lovely ordinary moment. I often take Jake on walks to our local park and I always wonder where all the children are as the park is almost always empty. Quite sad really.
Beautifully said. x
H is an end of August baby and started reception last September, and has loved it (thank goodness) – so I get your worries. I think for me it was MY worries, as she just got on with it and didn’t think twice – it was school and that was that. Having said that she was at nursery four long days a week and now she’s doing shorter days but is more tired with all the learning.
I loved my Wednesdays off too, trips to the park and all that were great, I miss them now but the nights are getting lighter again so after school ones will be back soon, thank goodness!
Your park looks lovely too, you’re lucky!
This is such a beautiful post!
The park to yourselves looks great and your little Frog looks like she’s having so much fun! All her wet weather gear is adorable!
Having a park is something that is really missing here and as you say its something that brings such strong memories from our own childhood days!
Thank you for sharing this lovely moment x
Lovely photos and lovely post. We all make the mistake of letting time pass too quickly and not stopping to enjoy the moment. You can’t beat some quality 1-2-1 time with your children, it’s free and they adore it. Thanks for linking up and sharing your outdoor fun with Country Kids.
Lovely post Molly and that last paragraph completely resonated with me. Sometimes I think about my career and think I haven’t dome enough, before the girls I was very career drive and now I feel like I have just put it on hold for a considerable amount of time. But when I actually think about it, I am actually doing the most amazing thing in the world, raising two little ladies. There can’t be anything much better than that. X
so lovely and so true. I have Friday’s with Erin and I love it. We stay in bed till 9ish after Chloe and Dyl go to school. We often go out for lunch too! Magical.
Such lovely post! I love going to the parks and creating memories…and as you said its so beautiful to be able to spend these ordinary moments with them as they are so magical! Aww…they do grow up fast and when you think of school you think where that tiny baby is gone whom you brought home the other day! Glad you will have friday mornings with her.
Ritz xx
I love being able to nip to the local park with my wee man and especially in the winter months when you have it all to yourselves. You don’t have to do much with them to make it special which is great. I always find myself over thinking how we could spend our days together when I am home but really its just us being together which matters. A really important post I think for most parents. They sure do grow quick! #countrykids
They do *sob*. On the up side though, there seem to be more and more things that we can do together now. Must admit though, I do prefer the park with no rain!
Lovely post Molly. We took a trip to our rainy, muddy park both today and yesterday and my girls loved every minute. Splashing in puddles, soaring on the swings and peddling/scooting along made it great for them and for us. You are right it is important to be thankful for these moments. x
It’s so easy to forget and lose the moment isn’t it? It’s my aim for 2014 to be a little more thankful and appreciate the ordinary more. x
Lovely lovely post. It really resonates with me, as today I spent a lot of the day feeling knackered. After an energetic princess and fairy party this afternoon, I was bushed, but when we got home, we piled into our bed with the iPad and played games for an hour or so. It was so lovely, as I needed a rest but she was happy just snuggled in with me and us playing together on the iPad. But there are times that I need to just put on the waterproofs, put on wellies and go outside with her – often doing that wakes you up and you regain some energy.
Ah yes, but snuggling in bed is lovely too! x
Great post. Sometimes there is nothing better than a walk when we are all a bit fed up. I need to remember to do this soon! Xxx
A walk in the torrential rain certainly blows the cobwebs away!
Aww! What a lovely outing and a fab park!
I love the waterproofs! Fab photos x
I want a pair of waterproofs in my size! x
Lovely post – I think far too few people enjoy the simple things in life – or the fact that rain doesn’t stop play in the park being great fun! And I am sure Frog will cope really well with school – she’s another few months of growing up to do before she gets there! My oldest has just started secondary school and here in France that means he leaves for the bus at 7.10am and doesn’t get home until nearly 6pm … I was worried he’d not cope and he’s doing just fine.
Oh blimey that’s a long old day! I am just eager to make the most of the time Frog has before she doesn’t have to be at school Monday to Friday. Bring on the trips to the park (even if it is in the rain!).
I love when we get to have the playground all to ourselves too, whatever the weather. And it’s so lovely to hear someone say they are content with the life they are living 🙂
Empty playgrounds are fun – although Frog quite likes making new friends too (seems I’m a bit boring if she’s just stuck with me – charming!). Thank you for your lovely comment.
Really lovely blog post…these days are so precious, you’re right to treasure them. My daughter starts school in Sept 2014 and I’m already dreading it, even though I’m not conveying any of this dread to my daughter…she’s excited, so I have to go with her excitement! I think because she is an only child, I’m sad about losing that special mummy-daughter time…simple walks in the park are something not to take for granted, enjoy every minute!
I found you via @coombemill #countrykids
It really is a time to treasure isn’t it? I must remind myself of this even if it’s a bad, tantrum-filled day!
those days at the park (even in the rain) are probably more special than a life with champagne or trekking a mountain…
Couldn’t agree more.
There is nothing better than a rainy park to yourselves, beautiful pictures.
It was a dismal day, but it was fun!