Jambalaya Park Sprayground

Last weekend I planned a slightly spur-of-the-moment Sunday morning excursion to Jambalaya Park. We hadn’t been back there since Riley turned one, and I had been wanting to take the boy cool dude again.

Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Steve, Aunt Jaimi, and Zac came to meet us out there, and we had such a fun morning. The sun was hot, but the water was cool and refreshing, even with just getting my feet wet.

 

Kenny, on the other hand, ended up getting just as soaked as the kids. And he had lots of fun splashing his oblivious son.

Kenny also had fun putting Riley directly underneath one of the big suspended cones and jumping out of the way just in time to avoid getting splashed by all of the water that did, in fact, come crashing down on his son. Isn’t that what daddies are for?

There was no one there when we arrived around 9:30am, which was what I had hoped for. A couple other families showed up not long after we got there, but there was plenty of space for everyone to splash around.

  

The sprayground got a little more crowded as the morning went on, but it never got obnoxiously packed, which I was so grateful for. It may not be the most convenient location for us, but it’s really not a bad drive from our house. And it’s free, clean, and well-maintained. {Although there were two features that worked last time but didn’t this time.}

As I expected, Riley and Zac didn’t really play a whole lot together, mostly because Zac is so much older. But also because Zac was very focused on karate chopping the water. Silly kid.

 

However, when Riley needed a break for some shade and juice, Zac did come to find him after awhile and asked, “Can I have Riley?” So cute.

I was actually afraid Riley wouldn’t want to go splash anymore after his break (he looked so tired…..and it wasn’t even 11am), but I managed to coax him back out there.

 

Zac was apparently really glad to have his cousin back out there: he took Riley by the hand and lead him through the water “tunnel” at one point. Very sweet.

 

After about two hours of splash time we decided to pack things up, get dry clothes on the kids {and Kenny}, and go find some lunch. We ate a quick bite at a nearby Wendy’s and then everyone got on the road for home. Kenny thought for sure that Riley would fall asleep in the car, but he did what I thought he would do: he sat back, relaxed, and chattered to himself. That’s my wonky potatoes!

What a fun day. And what a difference a year makes. Riley loved being able to walk and splash all by himself without having to hold onto Mama or Daddy like last time. I’m hoping we can make a few return trips to Jambalaya Park before summer is over!