don't want to go, don't want to go....don't want to leave, don't want to leave!

Yesterday, we went to one of my husband's relative’s graduation party.  We told SJ and Bob about it in the morning.  Neither boy was too excited to go.  SJ kept asking why we had to go.  He said he would rather go to the pool.  I told him we would go swimming the next day, but today we had to go to a party.  I reminded him that there was a playground, ball fields, a pond and other kids to play with.  As we were driving, SJ wanted to know how many miles it was.  No matter what my husband would say he would reply that it was "too far".  When we got to the park, his attitude changed quickly.  He saw the playground and was excited.  In the past, going to a place like this would cause me great stress.  I was never sure how SJ was going to act.  My biggest concern was that he would run away and get lost.  Fortunately, this park had many things to offer and they were all within my visual sight.  He bounced between the playground, playing badminton, having snacks and fishing.  Neither boy had ever really fished before.  The pond was a catch and release pond.  The boys were fascinated with the fishing.  SJ never ended up catching any fish, but Bob caught two small fish and a turtle.  SJ was even playing Frisbee with his teenage cousins that he was calling "the dudes".  Before we knew it, it was after 8:00.  We told the boys it was time to go, but surprisingly they were whining that they didn't want to go.  We would have stayed longer, but everyone was leaving.  This was the best party behavior that we have had from both boys in a long time.  It is amazing how something as typical as going to park can cause me so much stress.  Now that SJ is older and doing better, I can now leave some of that stress at home!