My PBS Kids at the Park

A few weeks ago, our local PBS station sponsored an event for the kiddos at a park downtown. We had been talking about it with Quinn earlier in the week (he remembered meeting some "friends" last year) and he was so excited about going. Then we woke up on "the day" and it was raining. Scattered showers throughout the day, they said. So we decided to go for it...hoping for scattered to mean very widely scattered!

As you can see from this photo, Keira doesn't look sold on the idea, but Q is all smiles. If it involves his PBS friends and use of his Spiderman umbrella, it's all OK with him!

Quinn first got to meet Maya and Miguel. He kept asking why their mouths wouldn't open and why they just smiled. I came up with several clever (I thought) answers, but he kept pressing. So, I said that hey - that's just the way the costumes are. Costumes? No mom - they are the real ones! Those aren't costumes! (said with implied eye-roll...I clearly was supposed to know better) Oh, OK. Was the best I could come up after that. I can't wait to see what conversations we will have at Disney next year!!

After meeting M&M, we got to see Arthur. After taking in the scene with M&M, Keira was up for her first character encounter. She didn't seem to mind the big aardvark, although she wasn't totally smitten either. Quinn, on the other hand, and in this case, literally on the other hand of Arthur, continues to wonder why these friends won't talk back!

Below you can see what happens when a kid is so patient during scattered showers and long lines. The Elmo balloon purchase was made after he signed a sworn statement indicating that his intent was not to harm his sister with the stick. Balloon was purchased. Boy was happy. Sister was grabby.

Next, a pit stop for daddy. He was nicely enduring kidfest and happily (more or less) photographing the whole thing. So we took a break for an activity of his choice: eating funnel cake!! Keira has her first taste ever and it was a total hit. Daddy was a good sport and shared his treat with the kids while I took over with the camera for a bit. There was powdered sugar everywhere, but those sugary grins were worth it!

Below, Keira seems to be saying, "Uh, sorry - I forgot to save you some!"

Next stop: Clifford. It turned out to be our last stop as well. While just a few turns away from our time to meet the Big Red Dog, it poured. And poured. We finally were able to duck under the tent to meet Clifford (you can see the rain pouring straight off the tent). Quinn wondered what was up with Cliffy's big belly, while K took one look at him and screamed.

So, presented with rain (and no end in sight), and a crying and tired and hungry 1 year old, we decided to cut our losses, call it a day, and head back to the car. Q was down with the plan, since even then the Spidey umbrella wasn't helping keep the rain out. But once we got to the car and he realized that being dry in the car meant no meeting Curious George, he was not happy then either. At least the kids had matching moods.

But, alas, never underestimate the powers of a nice drive home. Twenty five minutes later, we were putting napping kids in their beds and enjoying a nice, quiet afternoon to ourselves.

A good time was had by all!