Opportunity Costs

The days are getting longer, the weather is getting warmer and together these things mean just one thing - playground time!

After picking the girls up from school I like to take them to the adjacent playground to expend some energy and enjoy the fresh air. It doesn't hurt that it also gives me an opportunity to socialize with some of the other parents. Alas, a lot of our conversation revolves around trying to develop the perfect exit strategy, e.g., leaving at the same time to try to make getting in to the car a game, bribery, counting down (GH's iPhone timer is cool, but it wasn't exactly as effective as we all had hoped)

Also, I have to frequently remind my girls that "the playground is for playing, not for standing on the side and eating." LP and AK are world class moochers (wonder where they get that from?) and if they see another parent with snacks they will immediately sidle over and wait with their hands extended for the parent to offer. And, even once their friends STOP eating, LP will continue to loudly insist "I'm HUUUUUUUUUUUUNGRY!" as if the world is ending and she is starving. When I offer her the option of going home to have dinner she stops - but only long enough to catch her breath. I am so lucky.

When the mass exodus does finally arrive around 6, all of the parents seem to be simultaneously shaking their heads, contemplating if the half hour of fun is worth the pain and tears when we attempt to leave.