Family Fun Day

Yesterday was a “Family Fun Day” from the time we woke up until we all went to bed. It was a day that we anticipate all year. It is the day that we go to McConnell's Mill State Park. Living in Pennsylvania is a blessing. There are so many wonderful places to go and view nature in all her beauty, and McConnell's Mill is the place my family loves to go every year between October and Early November to see the Autumn foliage.

It is an awesome time. My wife packs a picnic lunch, we grab a couple of blankets, load the kiddies into the car, and head to the Mill. For the last few years, we have been going to the same open field. It is perfect to eat and then let the little ones run around and collect leaves. That is their favorite part. Then we load them back into the car and ride around the park looking at all of the leaves. That is mommy and daddy's favorite part.

After we leave the McConnell's Mill, phase II begins. We head to Brown's Country Kitchen for the best pie ever! Brown's is about 2 miles from the park and I am glad it is as far away from our house as it is. I would get very fat, very quickly if it wasn't.

Our final stop, phase III, is a candy store that still sells penny candy. It is a mecca for all adults who frequented this heavenly place as children. It is Baldinger's. I remember going there as a child and getting a bag full of candy and being the happiest kid on earth. My mom was probably happy too because it was so cheap. One hundred pieces of candy for dollar – you can't beat that with a stick. The selections for the penny candy have decreased dramatically, but it is still available. The entire family loves to go there. It is the perfect end to our family outing.

I think it is imperative that parents set aside a “Family Fun Day.” I know that my children will remember this day. In fact as soon as we got to McConnells Mill, Molly knew where our next two stops would be. They are the same every year. The children, Shannon, and I all look forward to this day. This year, Shannon and I made it even better. We extended the day after the children went to bed. We spent one on one time together. It was like we were dating again. We order wings, drank beer, watched “Wipeout!” and “Glee.” The perfect end to a perfect day.

Leaves on the Ground

We are approaching one of my favorite times of the year – Fall. We still have 13 days before the autumnal equinox, but here in Pittsburgh we are experiencing Fall-like temperatures and I love it. I don't know what it is about this time of year that I love so much. As soon as the weather starts to cool down and the leaves start to change colors and fall to the ground, I begin to wax nostalgic. I remember all of the wonderful times I had growing up, and I long for my children to have the same fond memories. This evening, I hope that I helped to create that environment for them.

After dinner, the girls wanted to go out and play. They put on their shoes and were out the back door as soon as they were done with their dinner. In fact, Molly only had on one shoe and was holding the other in her hand when she hit the back porch. I was finishing up the dishes in the kitchen; so I was able to watch them from a distance without them really noticing me or modifying their play because I was around.

Their toy of choice this Autumn-like day was a bat and ball. Not my first choice for this type of weather, but they were playing nicely together, and I was not about to interrupt and suggest that they play football. I have learned that when two little girls are playing nicely together, you are best to leave well enough alone. Especially since one of the girls from next door came up to join them. Three girls getting along is like a miracle to me. It was awesome. They were running around playing baseball and giggling. It was pure unadulterated fun. I remember having times like this when I was growing up.

As soon as school started, you had a limited amount of time to play with your friends before it started to get dark. You had to use your time wisely. There was no time to bicker and argue. You had to have your game plan set before you headed out to play. As I remember it, we played a lot of football in the form of actual games or just lining up and running plays.

“Head to the tree and hook left.”

“Run a post route.”

“Go Long!”

It didn't matter how many of us there were, as long as we had two guys – one to throw the ball and one to catch it. On good days, we had a third or even fourth guy to play defense – one to cover the quarterback and one to cover the receiver. Inevitably, someone got dirt stains or grass stains on their pants. Those were the best of times.

Tonight, I saw a glimpse of what I loved so much as a child in the way my children were playing, and I was happy for them. I do not even care if they got grass stains on their clothes. As my wife says, “That's what they make Oxyclean for.” I hope for their sake and, maybe a bit selfishly, mine that they have many more days like this. These are the things children are supposed to do when there are leaves on the ground.

Author's Note: I am happy to report that the girls did get out the football, unprovoked mind you, before they came in for the night.

Author's Comment: Happy Birthday to the Love of My Life!