I was just thinking this afternoon as I picked Elliott up from preschool, “I could sure go for a Mickey D’s cheeseburger with extra pickles and a Shamrock shake”! The kiddos could share their usual 10-piece chicken McNuggets with BBQ sauce and a small fry…afterall, they do LOVE to play in the play area. BUT…the play areas at these places gross me out. Lord only knows how often they get up there and clean, disinfect and deodorize those large hamster-like contraptions. But on the other hand, I can go there with my Mommy friends, enjoy my cheeseburger and Diet Coke and chat without worrying that Holden will fall out. It’s pretty “safe” as far as openings go.

BUT….

then there is the park, which, is so nice because it’s outside and you can pack a nice healthy sandwich on multigrain bread and some crisp apple slices. However, I am constantly worried that Holden is going to fall off the structure as I witnessed last Spring….it scared the $h!t out of me. I know he’s older now and a little more steady on his feet, but I still worry. And I hate to be that Mom that constantly follows him around, unable to sit and chat with the mommies, but I am and I will. I just don’t quite trust him yet….possibly because he is my “baby”. I think I need about 6 more months….he sure is brave, though. Climbing like a BIG boy ~ no fear. Good coordination….strong legs, strong arms ~ but a weak Mommy!

Sometimes I try to get him to sit and play in the sand…in ONE spot so I can easily keep an eye on him and have a more relaxing conversation with the girls, but then I feel like I am holding him back from running, jumping, climbing, sliding & swinging.

So, what do you do? Go to the junk food capital of the world with it’s germ infested, but safer “play zone” and have a nice, leisurely visit OR go to the park (which is free) and feel the sunshine on our faces and the wind through our hair, but worry and follow and be overly cautious!

They L.O.V.E. either one…doesn’t matter to them. We don’t go to see Ronald very often so it is a treat when we do.

But I’ll do both from time to time…definitely more park than Ronald. And I will either be there “spotting” Holden or standing at the opening of the hamster cage with a vat of hand sanitizer ready for them to dive into.

P.S. This isn’t to say that I don’t “worry” about Elliott. She is 21 months older and more agile on the jungle gyms and such.

P.P.S. I did NOT go to the Golden Arches today…came home and made them “circle” lunch with round pb&j’s and banana slices. I made myself a nice raw veggie salad consisting of spring mix, shredded carrots, sugar snap peas, red pepper, cucumber, cilantro, dried cranberries, blue cheese sprinkles and grilled chicken with “spray” Ranch dressing.

Take that, Ronald!