Farewell to Tuesdays

This Tuesday marked our final Tuesday playdate. Tuesdays with all 4 cousins have regrettably come to an end because Kate will start Kindergarten next week. Due to Kate's daily Kindergarten class, Zachary's nap schedule, Matt's transportation and Ashley's activities the scheduling will just be too difficult to continue.

With that in mind, the 4 cousins got together for one final hurrah. We started the morning at Aunt Tonya's enormous playroom. Zach's eyes lit up with excitement over all the toys to play with. I really like the playroom because there is such a huge diversity in toys - from make believe and dress up, to leggos and manipulating toys, to cars and tea parties, from infant toys ranging all the up to oldr kid toys - there is something for everyone. It has been important to me to instill gender neutral or gender equality toys (not sure if that is the correct term I'm looking for) with Zach. I want Zach and Matt to be able to play with dolls and tea party as well as trucks. And Aunt Tonya's playroom allows for all of it.

Despite my ramblings on the benefits of a well-stocked playroom the day did start out a little rough. I could tell that all the kids were in a mood (a range of moods I should say). Certainly the kids are no longer guests at each other's homes and behave like family. Immediately Zach saw Ashley's juice and took it. With the mindset what's yours is mine (and what's mine is mine) inherent in toddlers. Ashley was obviously not finished drinking her juice and snatched it back. Just a minor example of how the day started and progressed.

On the one hand its satisfying to know that these kids know and love each other so much and have bonded over the last 6 months of constant playdates. But on the other hand a little break from the stress of 4 kids will certainly be a benefit to everyone.

We quickly got the kids outside and playing at the park. Each kid went their separate way to explore, climb and discover. The park was a lot of fun - as always. Kate was able to climb on the tallest structure and clearly lead the children in a pirate treasure game with Kate narrating the story and outcomes. Ashley also took on a leadership role (as the younger sister it has been nice to watch her grow into a leader with the boys). Ashley corraled the boys and kept them with the group as they moved through the equipment. Matt is still a consistent climber trying new ladders and steps. He is starting to join in with the group as well. Zach followed the big girls around even managing to climb on some of the more difficult equipment to catch up with Matt.

After a pretty hot and tiring play at the park the kids were in obvious need of lunch and cooling off. We headed to Carl's Jr. for chicken stars for the kids. They ate in shifts (remind anyone of the Army mess hall?) since the table was to small to accomodate 4 kids and 2 adults. Tonya and I took turns feeding and cleaning the kids. Its amazing get 2 moms together and 4 kids in need and it doesn't matter which kids belong to which parent, equality in work distribution prevails.

Carls Jr. also houses a large play structure with climbing stairs some crawl tubes and slides. After a few minutes I realized Zach was gone and I hadn't seen him in a bit. Usually he hangs down at the lowest couple of stairs calling to the kids or trying to climb the wrong way up the slide. But Zach was no where to be found. He had managed to climb to the top by himself with some guidance from Ashley and crawl through all the tubes to the slide. As I watched he went down the slide with Kate! Thank goodness because there was no way I could crawl to the top to retrieve a toddler. Zach was so full of pride he did it again and again! Matt of course was on a singular mission - to climb up and go down the stairs 100 times in 30 minutes. That kid sure is focused and I bet you he accomplished his mission and then some. Sounds like his parents, eh?

We rounded up tired and cranky kids and took them to Aunt Shannon's in preparation of Grandpa Frank's arrival and pick-up. The day quickly went south. Everyone was tired (parents included). Zach fell asleep in the carseat and promptly went to the crib. Matt quickly fell asleep on the couch. Kate had a pretty severe headache and after a long nap ended up doing much better.

While not a huge blowout farewell to Tuesdays, it was a nice quiet ending to our arrangement. Now we'll have to figure something else out until Matt's parent come home! Just a few more weeks to go... Countdown anyone?