Monday, August 29, 2011

Rocketeers

I took the boys to a slammin' playground this weekend, which was this great, big rocket/spaceship-themed playground...

There are at least five slides on this sucker, varying speeds.

That's the boys in silhouette, plotting on the "flight deck."

The boys loved it. B1 said it was the most fun playground he'd ever seen, so I was full of glee at that. I had only happened upon it by chance, as the fun discoveries so often are. I had rented a car and we cruised out to see it.

Afterward, we stopped by a Super Target to get a few things, which the boys also enjoyed. The loved going on a mini road trip. It's fun, because a simple trip to the 'burbs can seem like a grand adventure to a kid. B2 was fond of all the trees, and all the graveyards (!!) -- he was fascinated by those. B1 was more fond of studying the El train lines and radio towers, and being able to see the city from a distance.

They had a blast. I let them play for a couple of hours, with a big group of other kids in the rocket(s). B1 was kind and noble again -- some kid who was roughly his age (maybe even a year older?) was afraid to go up high in the rocket (you can't necessarily tell, but the thing is tall, at least 20 feet, maybe more?) and I overheard B1 talking to the kid, reassuring him -- "It's alright. Just climb up, and you'll see that it's safe." He spoke calmly, gently to the kid, and actually talked the kid up into the tower, said "See? Nothing to worry about." I thought that was so sweetly benevolent of him -- his character in action again, that sense of empathy and compassion. He mentioned it later, said something about that kid being afraid, but he showed him it was nothing to be afraid of, and I said he did a good and kind thing by helping that kid overcome his fear, and that I was proud of him.

The boys had such a good time, I was pleased that the playground didn't disappoint. Just a playground, sure, but those moments are precious with little kids, and with B1 turning 10 next year, I have to cherish them while I can! He's fast becoming a big boy! I wanted to give the boys a little special summer fun, since this summer was kind of disjointed.