Unleashing the Mommy Leash

A difficult thing for me to let loose is the mommy leash.
The Mommy Leash- a natural instinct that all mom's possess, being attached physically by your child's side to prevent harm from outside sources.
Autumn is starting to enjoy exploring the outside. We go on walks and she points at things asking "what's that?". The park has become our new best friend. It has become a magical wonderland of slides and stairs that allows for my child to run herself exhausted going into a beautiful nap of fairies and unicorns, I am sure, creating time for mom to enjoy....the couch. That is right when the child naps, my feet go up and I relax. I should be cleaning or doing something productive, but I figure before I go back to school this fall, I need to enjoy my peace and quiet.

When we first would go to the park I would hold Autumn's hand and walk up the stairs with her. Go down every slide with her. Unless I was at the bottom, lifting her up to the top of the slide.  Then I let loose of the mommy leash. I let her walk up the stairs by herself and go down the slide and land by herself. She is a natural pro. Baby is getting so big and is not really a baby anymore :( Now I have to mention this park we were at, was built for little ones, like 3 and under. Not all parks are this friendly for toddlers and that mom leash is like a warrior that doesn't stop the battle. It kicks into full effect when danger could be present.

Olivia, my friend Lindsay's daughter, teaching Autumn how to go down the slide by herself.

 Lily, my friend Lindsay's other daughter, and Autumn going up and down the slides.

 We had a big event happen this week. Fred's youngest sister, Tina, graduated from KU. It was a good time and Autumn behaved to the best of her ability. She did at one point cry hugging a box of Cheez-its. But hey there are times in life where I have done the same so I won't blame the girl, those crackers are amazing.

 Tina's graduation party. Storm graduated as well from KU, my soon to be brother-in-law.



All that plays in my head over and over again this week is "Changes" by David Bowie. And as that T-mobile commercial best portrays it, I sing the lyrics a little wrong. "Changes time to face the strange" is how I take it. Strange instead of strain. This week I will be purchasing..........wait for it...........a training potty. I probably won't break it out yet. But going to get her used to seeing it hang around. Oh how I love my big girl and her never ending changes.

                                      Except we still love My Little Pony. That is not changing.