Our first stop today was Crescent Park in Moose Jaw, SK. It was what I imagined all our green space stops would be (but weren’t always…). It seemed like it was an older park because it had a wrought-iron fence around it and defined entrances, in the style of formal green spaces in places like Boston. Or maybe it was just imitating that style of park 😉. It was shady and forested, with a big pond on the middle where lots of geese (and goslings!) were swimming. We continued walking and the kids spied a playground…so a beeline it was. The kids explored the playground while David went to get us coffee.
The playground was next to a public pool that seemed well-uses, but the playground itself was deserted. There was “on demand” water park (press a button to activate?!) that thankfully the kids showed no interest (didn’t need wet kids in the car!). The first thing Oscar was drawn to was a large car play structure, of course. He played “getting groceries” and Delilah soon picked up the routine too.
And then Delilah noticed the slides. Now Delilah has become a real slide enthusiast, ever since she got lots of practice on the small backyard slide in Winnipeg and then again at the playground in Regina. Oscar on the other hand continues to be quite slide-hesitant. Delilah went down the green slide a number of times and then decided it would be most fun if she and Oscar went down the slide together. Oscar, self-aware kid that he is, did and did not want to go down the slide. He sat at the top of the slide for a while. Delilah continued her sliding routine, every time trying to convince him to come down with her. Eventually, he does. And it’s fun! And they do it again. And again. And again. Now they’re both in this sliding loop — slide down, run to the steps, walk up the steps, slide down, saying their “1-2-3 emergency” mantra as they go. It was heartwarming to see Delilah give Oscar the confidence and encouragement he needed. ❤️