exercise

My gratitude for today was being able to go out with all of my grandchildren ages 16 to 3, just me and them. Grandpa has another week of work till his temp work is finished.

Off to the park we went with all the requirements to keep little ones fed and watered and older ones occupied.

Like a long string of colourful beads we wound our way along the footpath. Two scooters and correctly garbed excited little boys. Colourful Bicycle helmets atop sun hats. Cool dark sunglasses on and exposed tender skin slathered with sunscreen for the adventure. Big lads with their scooter and bike in the lead for safety followed by one little scooter after another. Then grandma and sixteen year old granddaughter following each other and running to keep up with the fast fun happening ahead. We are pushing prams for the homeward journey when little scootered out legs are tired!

Scootering is serious business for little boys. Full throttle and whizzing down hills and across a causeway over the creek.

One little boy remembers to stop and listen out for the frogs he heard the other day near the creek. It’s a little bit hard to put your hand behind your ear to listen when you have a sun hat and a bike helmet on. There are no frogs today.

Along the track we whizz, one on this side of a split track and me on the other as I try to take short cuts to keep up.

It’s fun. Then there are the many exercise stations dotted around this park where all the boys have to take a turn to try out. Scooters and bikes on the grounds in lazy abandon. The biggest one can manage a high chin up because he has the height of a man but the others still want a go. Little boys are lifted up so they can feel that they are “big” too.

Did I say it’s fun?

Now the playground and lunch and playground again and then to watch the eels. Those ugly things living in the lake along with various ducks, moorhens and lone pelican. I wonder where the swan was that lives there? Maybe it was nesting time somewhere in the reeds as it is spring here in Australia. Saw a family of ducks and their brood of ducklings sticking close together ….they weren’t on the agenda for the little boys today. It was a boys, cousins action day of fast fun time.

From here the older boys went home with friends to ride some more bikes at a pace more fitting older lads!

For the little boys then time to head home with grubby little faces and hands that had been washed numerous times already with wipes. They scootered for a while but then into the prams they gladly hopped for their chariot rides home in style. Scooters were slung over the top of prams, helmets on laps and cold bag from the lunch was slung over grandmas shoulder. Along we walked, my granddaughter and I, pushing those prams homeward bound and to brave the territory of that swooping bird again protecting its young…. It was my turn to be bombarded and swooped upon this time. Luckily I had my hat on and only felt its wings crash into me!

I did say it was fun didn’t I! On top of that it keeps me young and moving…although I do admit that I flaked out afterwards at home:)

But most importantly I am ever so grateful to have had the privilege of time to spend with family.

Do you have a small yard for the children?
Do you feel cooped in?
Do make time to find ways to get out in the fresh air and get those legs working. Those lungs pumping and those eyes finding new sights. Discover new horizons, they may be just around a few corners. Listen to the laughter and the yelling. True joy!

Make the time
Take the time
To connect
Have gratitude for today

This link has some interesting thoughts. I found it when Googling for another meaning of gratitude.

Joining in for a Thankful Thursday

Joining in a bit late for IBOT with Essentially Jess