Simple Pleasures

I've said it a hundred times, I know, but I love the simple pleasures of spending time with my son and my husband. Everything is more fun with the three of us together, and even better still when we have the company of my mom or our friends. I'm sure I would have tired of the local pool by now, despite the record heat this summer. But seeing Paxton's eyes light up each time he dives in is enough to keep the excitement new for me, as well. Paxton's presence in our lives has also opened up a world of fun, family activities for us that we likely would not have ventured out to experience without him. Today, we took Paxton to a sprinkler park in Austin. I've read about a couple of Sprinkler Parks in the Austin paper over the last couple of months, but, for some reason, didn't investigate further. When a friend of mine wrote on Facebook that she took her daughter to one yesterday, I was newly inspired. I googled "sprinkler park Austin" and went to the first one that came up. It is called Butler Park and it is very near Zilker Park.

I was unsure if the park would actually be in operation with the drought we are experiencing. Just this weekend, there were pictures on the front page of the paper of that fountains at UT looking green and stagnant. The water to them has been shut off due to the extreme lack of rain. I couldn't imagine a sprinkler park fairing any better, but I reasoned that if it was not open, we would find something else new and fun to entertain us until naptime.

Our trusty GPS led us right to the site, and we found parking and went to explore the park. Seeing a little girl being wheeled away in her stroller with wet hair gave us hope. There, just over a hill, was a semi-functioning "sprinkler park". It certainly didn't look like we were experiencing it in its full glory. There were dozens of holes in the ground where water apparently typically spouted from. But only two of those holes were emitting any water. And it was just a small amount. There were shallow pools of water for the children to wade into, as well, though, and that was fun, too. Paxton had a wonderful time. We all made some new friends and got lots of sun and exercise, running to and fro. We even saw dozens of turtles in the water just beside the sprinkler park. Lady Bird Lake, nee "Town Lake", should really have just one more name change to "Turtle Lake" or "Lake Tortuga", because every time I have been there, I have seen more turtles than is strictly necessary. When Chris and I rented a paddle boat one summer day years ago, we were inundated with turtle friends. And today, we saw turtles of all sizes swimming about for our entertainment. It was sort of magical.

Paxton stayed awake throughout the long drive home, devouring Wendy's french fries and Vegetable Straws in lieu of a heathy, well-balanced lunch. He was exhausted, but being fairly tolerable throughout the drive. I brought him home, stripped him down and put him to bed. I followed suit, sleeping for two hours. He slept for more than three! Ah, the power of the sun! It seems to drain Paxton just like it drains me. I'll remember that the next time I'm desperate for him to take a long nap.

He awakened in an awful snit. I feel the same way when my naps go too long. I can relate. But he just couldn't shake that bad mood, even when his Tizzy came over to eat dinner with us. She would make him laugh for a minute and then he'd go back to complaining. He's a sweet boy, but he is not good at stifling his emotions. When Paxton ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. I fear he gets that from me.

I am so looking forward to the cooler weather when we can take trips to the Austin Zoo and Landa Park in New Braunfels and enjoy all of the things we've had to avoid since, oh, about April. Our playdates will move from 9 a.m. back to 3 p.m. We won't have to worry about always packing a sun hat and sunscreen and ice water. I've had a lovely summer with my sweet little family, but the drop in temperatures (from the 100s to the 90s--a big change for us this summer!) has me thinking about all the good things that Fall will blow into our lives again! Every experience, no matter how mundane, is new when viewed through Paxton's eyes. I haven't enjoyed Halloween since I was a kid, but now I begin shivering with excitement about it as soon as September rolls around! And don't even get me started about Christmas! I. Can't. Wait!!!!

Life is good. It's really good. Thanks, God. :)