One of the reasons we moved to our new town in the suburbs was to be closer to family. Mine, his, ours.
My parents help us out a lot, and we are so thankful. I like to think they get a little something out of it too – namely time with their best girls (and Mike, too).
We are all finally recovered from our illnesses, it took me a while to get my energy back. By the end of last week, Annie needed to burn some energy and I needed to get out of the house. We went to the park, and thank goodness my parents came along. I could not have kept up with this girl by myself.
It appeared to be the perfect time for the park, it was quiet and almost empty. Annie had full reign of the place and she! wanted! to! slide! I knew it wouldn’t end well…
(her only possible injury was to her pride – I couldn’t stop giggling.)
There was a bench in the middle of the play area, so I parked myself there while my parents chased Annie from activity to activity.
She kept talking about the “grumpy troll” until I finally realized she was referring to the bridge in the park (it’s a Dora the Explorer thing…sigh).
I need to somehow build a bridge in my house because she walked back and forth, back and forth, and would still be walking back and forth on it if my dad hadn’t distracted her with a pretend picnic.
When eating pretend food proved tiring, she got a lift back to the car.
For the rest of the day and for much of the next, she couldn’t stop talking about “the park with Bampa.” When I am missing my old city neighborhood, I just have to remind myself…”the park with Bampa.” THAT is why we moved.
Sharon says:
I don’t usually post, but I had to thank you for touching on this. It makes me think about my decision to have a baby in the city, in a one bedroom apartment, at that. I so want my kids to have the ‘park with Bampa’ but can’t imagine living out of the city. Beautiful pics and post. Thank you.
TamaraL says:
Awwwww!! Your dad is so special!! Just last night my teenager was reminiscing about how her gpa, my daddy, would tell her silly stories when she was little, like how he used to wear dresses as a little girl and how he would share his toothbrush with the dog. Making memories with grandparents is priceless!!
Tracey says:
I think that ‘park with Bampa’ is so important on so many levels. Fresh Air and the park are wonderful to begin with, but add in the bonus of Grandparents and you are talking Jackpot! Personally I think that the Grandparent/Grandchild relationship is so important in so many ways – it teaches the child a sense of family that moves outside their little world of Mommy, Daddy and me and helps them to think of others. I love to read about Annie’s adventures with her Grandparents! Good for you and Mike and all the Grandparents! PS – I think Bampa is cool!
Sue says:
Love that pitiful slide photo!! LOL Gramma & Bampa must be thrilled to pieces to be able to join in on all of the fun. Terrific pics!
Jenn says:
Okay….I HAVE to ask this to Everyone….Is it just me or does it look like there are a pair of wings in the bright sun light in the end picture of Annie on Bampa’s shoulders???? I saw them right away! Does anyone else???
How weird is it too see Bampa & Annie in summer wear…..IN JANUARY!!! Can I come & be your neighbour?!?!?! Speaking of Annie & Bampa….what were they doing in the one picture by the rocks? It looks like there is something coming out of the rocks??
I’m glad you all had such a great time!!!
Tonya says:
I see what you’re talking about. That gave me chills.
Kerry says:
I saw that immediately too before reading your comment!
Ragan says:
Love, Love, Love the picture of the pretend picnic with Bampa in the park! It is one to be framed, you can just feel the love!!!! Also, what kind of lens did you use for that picture and the one on your dads shoulders?
Heather says:
Both of those pictures were taken with my 50mm 1.8!
Natalie says:
Ya did you add the purple halos in the last two pics? If so, cool, if not, wow.
Heather says:
nope, it’s from the light hitting the lens just right.
Tonya says:
What beautiful pictures. Wonderful, involved grandparents are such a blessing.
Also, shorts, tank tops, and flip-flops? Seriously? I’m not prone to jealousy, but that’s about more than I can take! Annnnd, now I’m singing, “There’s a grumpy old trollllllll who lives under the briiiiiidge…….” It’s stuck in my head. Thanks a lot. Especially since I haven’t had to listen to that junk in years!
Emily E says:
omg- those braids are TOO CUTE!
Jen says:
I’m a grumpy old troll….who lives under the bridge….
omg…those Dora songs
Beautiful pic at the end.
Jessica says:
Gorgeous pics and how great to be closer to family, they must just be eating up their time with her. And here? We have to be in full snow suit gear to play outside.
Michelle says:
Okay, first of all thanks a lot for getting the grumpy old troll song stuck in my head!
Second, I think we use the same lens (the plastic fantastic, right? 50mm 1.8 canon) and I know that it sometimes creates those hexagon-shaped bokeh, but I have never seen anything like those two pics with Annie and that amazing, PURPLE, “one big bokeh” spot. I’m not someone who is big on believing in signs and whatever, but wow. If not anything more, what a lovely reminder that Maddie is always with her little sis’, wherever she goes.
Heather says:
YEP! Same lens, I had gotten away from using it and I’m so glad I put it on my camera for the park. I don’t think I’ve had that hexagon-shaped bokeh before, either. I didn’t see it until I put the images up on my computer. A very nice surprised.
Finn Reeds says:
Those pictures are beautiful. What a wonderful capture of a great afternoon.
Lauren says:
Love it- and I especially LOVE her french braids! Adorable!
Kristin says:
This brought a tear to my eye. Very sweet.
Love the little braids!! Tank top in January?! Lucky dogs!
My favorite pic is the one of Annie and Bampa at the bench. They are lost in their own little pretend world. Its wonderful. It is something to live close to your children’s grandparents. My in-laws are two streets over in the same neighborhood. (almost too close, but they are good about boundaries) My parents are a 5 min car ride. I love that my kids get to see so much of their grandparents and have a real bond with them. Its very special.
Shan says:
Making memories!
Staci says:
The picture of Annie and Bampa sitting together on that bunch … the sun’s light … the tree. Its one of the most beautiful photos I’ve ever seen. Love.
Glam-O-Mommy says:
LOVE the “Picnic with Bampa!” So sweet. My parents live 30 minutes across town and love spending time with our daughter. It is so helpful to have them close by when we are sick or need help and it is so wonderful to see the special relationship Sophie has with them. Looks like Annie is reaping the benefits of the ‘burbs as well!
Glenda says:
Love the pictures. Annie is GORGEOUS! AND those braids!!!
Hanging out with Bampa = Priceless
Burbs with Bampa = double Priceless
jenny says:
Pictures 4 and 8 are frame-worthy, in my opinion. Do you remember “sponge worthy” on Seinfeld? I am jealous of you, California Girls. I am bundled up like an eskimo (forget fashion! save the toes and fingers” while y’all are at the park in a tank top and skirt. Lucky ladies!
jenny says:
Did the sandals bother Annie at the park? My son would have had a fit about stuff in his shoes. Then again, I still have to cut hard tags out of shirts/ pants and he’s 7.5. We call him tag-intolerant.
Trisha says:
Love the pictures Heather, so beautiful! The pictures of Annie in the swing gave me goosebumps. I was instantly reminded of Maddie’s sweet swing pictures and had to go back and take a look at those too. Such beautiful babies you and Mike create.
magpie says:
Oh, that’s lovely. What a nice day for everyone! There is definitely something to be said for living near grandparents. My MIL drives me nuts, but she is a fabulous grandmother, and my daughter loves her.
Only in Louisiana ~ documenting the adventures of life! says:
That last photo was so lovely with the sunrays all around her face!
Kristen says:
Pull at my heart strings! I live in Texas. Parents in Ohio. Just had my first baby and I had NO idea how hard this would be. Relish those park dates
Andrea | EC Simplified says:
Sigh. These would be precious memories for when she’s all grown up. Lovely pictures!
Kyla says:
Heather, I looked at these photos earlier today and still can’t get over the purple overlay in the last 2 shots. Brings tears to my eyes (literally) and makes me believe in more than I think I should. You and your lovely family are amazing. Thank you.
Xo
AmazingGreis says:
Have a park so close is pretty special. Glad you are all enjoying it together. Love the pictures.
Meg says:
Such a precious time, and agree that these shots are stellar!
Meg says:
I convinced my dad to come with us to the park the other day, and it was about the cutest thing I’ve ever seen, watching Grizz chase his baby around. Plus she was super impressed with my ability to swing next to her on the swingset.