The other day...

I went to the park with the kids. We had three friends along with us from school and another mom. It was a beautiful day. The kids are in heaven when they are outside and it was as if I felt a shift happen. It was very subtle but clear as day. Hudson slid down the slide by himself. He has been trying for a week or so, but this day he conquered his fear and went for it. And with that he did not stop doing it over and over again for 2 hours until his body was so tired he could barley climb the stairs. Jackson and the 4 other boys were in their glory playing chase and Chloe was keeping up as if she was 4 herself. The boys lookout for her and push her on the swing and make room for her in their fort. Jackson tolerates it but all of the other boys are either the baby in the family or don't have a sister so the see Chloe as a treat. I think it is good for Jackson to have that perspective. I actually talked to the other mom for more than 3 half finished sentences and the kids played heartily without fighting. My heart wasn't in my throat at the thought of one of them falling off of something or the baby running out into the street. It was the most relaxing park trip I have ever had. I look forward to many, many more. This parenting things gets to be a whole lot of fun when your kids can actually do things other than cry and wake up in the middle of the night and they don't need you to physically carry them from point A to point B.