The first time

On Saturday, Nana and Papa came up to visit, and we all went to the park. Ane has been dying to go during her entire spring break, but the weather hasn’t been cooperative. Saturday was not really a clear spring day, but it was warmer and it hadn’t rained in a few days. So, we went off to the park.

Our favorite local park has acquired a few new toys since we’ve been there. Some swings have been put in, and there is a new, large rope-climbing pyramid that is clearly meant for older kids. That didn’t stop Tad from trying it, though, which made my stomach churn every time he climbed up. Nana was standing right there, but I just wanted to grab him and yell, “Will you PLEASE remember that you’ve BROKEN BONES BEFORE!!!”

Ane, however, showed all the agility of a monkey as she climbed up the ropes and slipped through the small twists and holes to get to the slide near the top. She was clearly enjoying herself.

The ropes themselves looked pretty sturdy, so I tried it myself. Using what little upper body strength I have left, I managed to hoist myself up to the first level of the pyramid via a rope ladder that Ane wasn’t quite tall enough to climb.

The Webmaster eyed my ascent. “Um, Deanna, I think the age limit is 12 on that thing,” he said.

“That’s on the other equipment, not this one,” I replied from my perch.

He rolled his eyes and walked away. As I contemplated how I am really too old for this now – though this is something I would have just loved as a kid, and where did all that time go? – Ane, who was down on the ground, stood and looked up at me with her hands on her hips. “Mother,” she said, clearly and loudly, “would you get down from there?”

Her words and demeanor said it all: You’re embarassing me.

It may have been the first time I’d embarassed her in public, but it won’t be the last. I promise.

And yes, I did get down. I’m not as young as I used to be. It’s sad, really.

This entry was posted on Monday, April 20th, 2009 at 1:00 am and is filed under Children, Life in the Pacific Northwest, Mommyhood.
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