We arrived in Berlin Thursday (I think that’s two days ago now, but I’m more than a little befuddled from jet lag). As we settle in, I’m trying to envision what will keep the Bear happy this summer, apart from “big” but occasional outings like the science museum. In the past, I could schlep both kids to a playground. The city’s chockfull of them, and they’d both happily play like piglets in mud (often literally) while I read a book for work or pleasure.
Last summer, the Bear would set out excitedly, but within five minutes he’d announce: “Mama. I’m bored.” His peers were scarcely to be found on the playground. He has a small but nice circle of German friends, but those play dates usually require organizing, not spontaneity. Especially once school lets out for summer, the playgrounds are dominated by the preschool set.
And frankly, the play equipment – even the thirty-foot tunnel slide shaped like a ship – has begun to shrink for him, as playgrounds universally do by the time a child turns 9 or 10. As it did for me, and I suspect for you, too.
The Tiger is still young enough to love playgrounds. He’s also completely undeterred by his monkey-bars incident of last winter. His left humerus has healed beautifully, and he’s regained his former confidence too. We can’t not go to the playground.
So maybe this summer the Bear will bring a book, too, and we’ll both read and giggle over the little creatures. Especially when they look a bit like these guys:
(Click here if you can’t see slippin’, slidin’ furballs.)
Proof positive that parenting is easier when the spawn arrive as singletons, not in a litter. (And to my friends who’ve managed multiples without access to teeth and claws: woo hoo! You have my serious respect.)
My husband wondered who was “making” the kittens go down the slide. Ha ha!
What’s next for these little fluffballs? Why, of course they decide they must learn to go up the slide, like two-year-old hoomans obsessively do.
Their cuteness is their salvation. (My kids knew/know that, too.)
Happy Caturday, all! Or, in the local lingo: Schöner Katertag, allerseits!
Patron cat of Kittywampus (1985-2001)
Hi,
Sometimes it is lucky when they learn that they are a little “old” for something! As you know mine would probably invent new, more dangerous, uses for all the cool equipment (like walking the beam!). I am sure they would learn “hey you get down” in German pretty quickly!
Mine are absorbed in the new kitty we just were blessed with. The oldest saved it from a wheel well (after the kitten rode for 10 miles). Thor Thunder Kitty rules the roost!
If your 9 year old likes sports you could go to a public viewing of tomorrows football match Germany – England.
I hope the weather stays this good! Have fun!
Haha my friends & I were the ones that didn’t lose interest in the equipment until we were almost too big to use it anymore. We were those punk teenagers that like, would hang out at the parks… And if kids showed up and asked nicely, we might spin the merry-go-round as fast as it would go. Which in retrospect was probably dangerous but the kids loved it.
Sorra – I am jealous that you’ve got a new kitten! How do you know he rode for 10 miles – was he in your car? Tell Thor not to grow too much too fast. i want to have some baby kitty time when we’re back in Athens.
As for the high equipment, there’s this huge slide near our apartment, built like a ship. The slide is 25-30 feet high. Yours might just scale the *outside* of the climbing area that leads up to the slide … and unlike the Tiger, they’d probably do it safely.
Christian – thanks for stopping by. We just watched Ghana – USA in the corner Kneipe. That was both wonderful and painful! My older son loves it, so yes, as long as there’s Fussball, he’ll be happy. And though we were disappointed for the “US-Boys” (as the commentator insists on calling them) – so many good chances gone to waste! – we’re pleased for Ghana, who played really well. We’ll definitely watch the Germany – England match somewhere in the neighborhood, so we don’t have to suffer a nervous breakdown alone.
K – Merry-go-rounds are an endangered species, aren’t they? We used to have one when I was a kid that was basically a cone suspended from its uppermost point. As it rotated, the perch where kids stood or sat clanged against the center pole. I’m surprised no one ever lost a limb on it. But yeah, there’s nothing like a good dose of centrifugal force.