I can’t remember the last time we went to the park all together as a family. We has a mellow family outing last weekend, and I was glad that for once I wouldn’t have to chase our daughter around the playground with our son on my hip. I could have a little help.

We’ve been trying to convince my husband for weeks that we need to get a swingset. (We, meaning my daughter and I) but he’s totally against it for a number of silly reasons.

“We can just go to the park!” He argues. Our neighborhood park doesn’t have swings, so this requires us to cruise to the city park.

“But we have to get in the car, strap both kids in their car seats, and drive all the way there,” I huffed. “I could just open the back door and let them play outside while I’m working or making lunch or dinner. It would be great!”

“They’ll grow out of it real fast,” he said.

“Whatever! We played on ours forever growing up!”

“Our yard is too sloped!” He countered.

“No, there’s a perfectly flat section right there!” I pointed out.

“They’re just a pain to put together…”

“HELLO… That’s why we hire someone!”

He’s still not convinced. I keep telling Lil’ J to keep asking him. Eventually he’ll give in. Yes, I’m terrible.

Anyhoo, we drove to the park so our kids could do their favorite thing… Swing.

So after waiting for all the other kids who were hogging them forever, Lil’ J finally got a turn herself, and she hogged it til sunset.

I really am ok driving to the park if we have to, but there’s something nice about just strolling down to the swings, or opening your back door and knowing your kids are safe in the fenced-yard while you finish up something else. Maybe I’m just spoiled, and it’s one more thing I don’t need (of course I don’t NEED it, I just want it real bad), or maybe I just need to make friends with a neighbor who has a fancy swingset.

Do you have a playscape? What say you?

In case you missed it, here’s my first video love-letter of Lil’ J swinging by herself for the first time. Funny enough, my husband pushed her the whole time at the park. Regardless, this was still cute.

Tags: african american mommy blogger, black mommy blogger, family, He says she says, he says/ she says, he says/she says, playscape, swingset