Since I have finished maternity leave, it is increasingly difficult to get together with some of my friends with young kids, especially since they have gone back to work also. 

My oldest daughter is constantly wanting to play with someone.  It was much easier when she was younger, because you could just cart her anywhere, to a park, an indoor playland, a farm, you name it…..she would be happy.  That is no longer the case.  Now, she always wants to “see someone”. 

This week I contacted a couple of friends (who their children are friends with mine also).  We planned to meet at a local free splash pad after work.  Plan B was the Mc Donalds Playland if it rained.  Luckily, it was hot and sunny.  I brought a picnic blanket, a fruit platter, someone brought the drinks, and we all pitched in for some pizza. 

The splash pad had two play structures with swings and slides, and ofcourse a complete water wonderland filled with ice cold hose water.  We set up our picnic and the kids thought that pizza in the park was a really fun idea.  They all ate great, and had a blast playing with one another for two hours straight.  We had to drag them back to the car when the adults wanted to go home.

It was a great way to let the kids interact with one another, enjoy the beautiful summer weather, and for us adults to touch base in a busy world.

The best part was:  We came home to a clean kitchen.