squeezing in the last of the spray park days

Whoosh!  That's the sound of summer passing us by, my friends!

My family has had a very busy summer with visitors, travel, illnesses and a heavier-than-expected work load. As a result, we haven't quite reached our goal of visiting all of the spray parks in town. Although, there are a few days left and we'll hopefully be able to fit a couple more in before they close on Sept. 1. 

I know some of you have completed the Spray Park Challenge, and I'd love to hear all about it! Don't forget to send in the Spray Park Challenge Sheet or the pictures you've taken at each of the spray parks you have visited via e-mail by Sept. 3, 2010, to be entered in a draw for a family gift package worth at least $100 (and some lovely consolation prizes as well). The grand prize winner will be announced on Sept. 10.

Yesterday, Little J and I visited Silverspring Park.  The sun was out for most of the visit, but there was a very cool breeze.  I had him dressed in long pants and a light bunny hug. Despite the awesome nearby park, he was drawn to the spray park.  I conceded to pull off his shoes and socks to let him wade in the water that had collected. I should have known his feet would be only the beginning of what would eventually get wet!

The funny thing is that on our warmer-weather visits to the spray parks around town, Little J wasn't too interested in running through the sprinklers. He more enjoyed wading, splashing and filling buckets.  On this day, when some bigger kids would come over and turn on the sprays to fill up their buckets, Little J decided that running through the sprinklers fully clothed was just too much fun!

I was about to protest, but reigned myself in.  I quickly took a mental inventory of what I had stuffed in the recesses of the backpack -- McDonald's napkins, a diaper, a pair of sweats and a hooded sweatshirt -- that should work. I sat back, camera phone in hand and let him explore on his own terms. 

What fun he had getting absolutely soaked! And, I sure enjoyed watching him!

When he finally admitted he was "co," I quickly wiped him off with old McDonald's napkins, did a stand-up diaper change (getting quite good at those), squeezed on the high-water 12-month-old sweats on my now 21-month-old and set off to play on the fabulous playground equipment at Silverspring Park.