15 Minutes of Toasty Total Joy

Thursday, July 9, 2026

15 Minutes of Toasty Total Joy

It is no secret that with tiny paws, big paws, and two little sets of human hands, my plate is quite full with things to do! Add in the sourdough (Seriously WHY did I pick such a time demanding hobby???- It does taste reallllly good...) and well the next 2 days of time are already gone. To say I am busy is to say the sun is bright in the sky. It becomes easy to get sucked into my internal 'to-do' list and just tuck my head down and get it done. I was gently reminded by Hazel asking for WEEKS on end that she would like to go to the new park that opened in the town next to ours. And I had said after puppy pick ups and the puppies went home Mamaaaaaa. CAN WE GO TO THE PARRRRKKKKK. Telling Hazel something is like setting a reminder on your favorite smart-device. It will not forget and neither will she. Both need rebooting from time to time with a little power nap.

Mommy is NOT a liar so when Hazel reminded me that I said we could go to the park this morning. I had to ... First internally scream because Hazel woke up on and off all night with bad dreams that I forgot to sing her to sleep. The AUDACITY. I would never! Hazel's brain! How rude. How rude of those bad dreams to make us both lose sleep on things I clearly DID do. And Secondly accept my fate of roasting alive since it was already 10:45am when she reminded me because she had slept in. SO pack the cooler with ice necklaces, make sure everyone had ice in all their water bottles, sunscreen, hats, fans for when the car was hot loading back up, hip carrier for Thatcher, diaper bag, let the dogs out, let the dogs back in. Hand out treats and busy toys ... and a partridge in a pear tree... And off we went to the park, with a quick stop to pick up Grandma of course because she is the one that TOLD Hazel about the park during Mommy's busy season. (If I am melting, you are melting with me).

We stayed a total of 15 toasty minutes, but the pure joy... Priceless

Right off the bat, Hazel zeroed in on the swings!

First sibling swing ever!!!

After that it was right into the 2-5 year old playground set. I would like to personally thank whoever added the one large sunshade tarp over the kiddie area. You are a hero

Watch out! Thatcher is driving!!

Insert his version of car noises here *vrmmm vrrrrrrrmmmm* (no 'Os' yet haha)

I am SO proud of Hazel for this bridge! She was SO brave and only needed my hand the first time she tried it

Look at that face of determination!

Hazel is usually really prone to tripping and has a little lack of awareness for her body in space which we try and work on - I think it's because she grew SO fast. No one would look at her and go Ah yes for sure you just turned 3. So this was extra tricky for her legs and brain to do and ...