Remember when you had a newborn and you found it hard to imagine that little bundle as a moving, giggling, wriggling, social little creature? You were so stuck in the awe of new parenthood that for a while you didn’t think about parenting a toddler. You momentarily forgot that soon you would be chasing your little one around a park.

I’m just beginning to realise that while the present moment is so much fun there is always that next stage to get excited about. And as you can see we have officially reached the ‘park’ stage. Yes, we are a park family. We love it. Swinging, sliding, round-a-bouting till our hearts content. Watching Che observe, chat and play with the other kids is just gorgeous – he’s pretty passionate about fun. And Daniel and I are loving the fact that we can be kids again too – swinging higher and higher and higher…play date anyone?

Earlier today I read that Michelle was starting a little market in her village and I got all sad about the fact that we don’t really have a villagey atmosphere in our neighbourhood. We live on a gorgeous country-esque street with cottage gardens and horses but no little piggies going to market anytime soon. And then, like someone had heard my pleas, while driving home I notice a beautiful big sign on the school fence at the end of our street. “Village Market – 3rd Saturday of every month” … dream come true, I am bursting with excitement. The basket is all ready to go.

Gratitude today for life in the park and at the market.