Boats

We finished up our flower studies and this week it's on to boats. What better way to kick off the week, than a fieldtrip?
Yesterday, we went to a nearby park and Kev took the children for a ride on a paddle boat. Only five passengers are allowed per boat, so we couldn't all get on at one time. The obvious solution would be for Kev to take one boat with a few children and for me to take a second boat with the others.
Well, there is a minor detail that renders the obvious solution an impossible one. I have a totally irrational fear of boats. My mother loves to tell the story of when I was 11 years old and flipped out at a public park. I was Certain I was going to drown, I was alone on a raft and could not get it back to the dock. Um, the water was only knee deep. All I had to do was get off and walk across, but I was hysterical and had to be rescued. Yes, this is one of my most embarrassing moments. No, the embarrassment didn't cure me of my irrational fear. I am not afraid of large boats like a ferry. I also am not afraid to get on a smaller boat if there is someone else that "knows what they are doing". However, me get on a boat alone with just a couple of children? Nope. Not happening in this lifetime and I don't care who laughs at me.
So, Kev got on the boat and could only take four children. Rules are rules and they wouldn't count Aaron and Parker as one, even if they only weigh about 60 pounds combined. Parker was not too happy to be left behind, but we went for a nice walk and he got over it. The highlight of the afternoon for him was the bathroom sink. I took him to wash his hands and when I turned on the water, it sort of sprayed out in all directions and got him all wet. He thought that was great fun, so for fifteen mins we stood and played with the running water. Then we found a neat rock (outside the not yet completed nature center) to climb on. Finally, we wandered back to the boating area and watched some Geese until the "ship came in". We went out and I helped all the kiddos off and Parker was given his own personal tour of the pond.
Just as an aside, I want to publically say I have the best husband in the world! He has had a long week, most of his work in the heat and he would have rather enjoyed just hanging at home yesterday. He knew the children have been waiting to ride the boats for over a year. (they were closed for renovations last year and just re-opened a week or two ago) He gave up his Sunday afternoon nap to spend the day in the heat, peddling until his legs ached so his children could have their first boat ride. What a guy! Happy Father's day Kev!