Super Duper Playground

My sister arrived yesterday and after letting Finley snooze, we got in the car and drove to Harvard Square to check out one of the more famous playgrounds we know of. The Cambridge Common playground is a really neat spot near the Harvard campus that has a little bit of everything: climbing structures, a cargo net, swings, sand galore, a merry go round, tree house/fort, a wooden pirate ship, and an interesting water table. Finley's still a bit small to enjoy most of these activities, but I think it'll pay off to know all the ins and out of our local playgrounds when the times comes for him to fully take advantage of them.

On our way to the baby swings, Dan couldn't resist hopping onto the ergonomic, organic looking seesaw. Caitlin was kind enough to help us by taking photos and passing Finley back and forth. Our first arrangement of Dan and Finley on one side and me on the other didn't make sense, so Caitlin brought Fin over to me for a more balanced situation :)

Then it was time for the bucket swings, Finley just loves flying through the air and it was great for Caitlin to get to see him laughing and smiling away.

Next stop, giant swing (I tried to come up with a better name for this contraption, but no luck). Dan climbed in and Caitlin passed Finley over, who was not quite sure what to make of it at first.

He did enjoy himself though!

And he enjoyed his shoe :)

While Dan crawled out of the swing/hammock thing, Caitlin took Finley over to the picnic table for some standing and walking.

He preferred to squish his Aunt Caitlin's face instead!

Our final stop was at the science museumesque water table. Here's a picture from the city's web site, so you can get a sense of it.

Caitlin held onto Fin while Dan cranked the water wheel (and confused a little boy there who didn't seem to grasp the idea of getting the water to come out of the tap). Here they are waiting for the water:

The water finally came rushing down!

Hands down, best picture of the afternoon! After all this fun, we wandered into Harvard Square for some delicious Lizzy's Ice Cream. Not a bad way to cool off! Oh, and a fashion note: check out Finley's new mesh soccer tank top that his dad picked out earlier in the week. Doesn't he look like a little jock? Wait till you see his red mesh football shorts....