Monday, July 15, 2013

Rockford Park District!! Thank you!!

One of my favorite summer traditions to go to Magic Waters and spend the day. Tyler and I went today and we had a blast. I have had to get brave to get some thrills with him. I don't believe I went to Magic Waters as a kid. I might have been once but don't recall doing much.

A few years back, I learned about the fun packets that The Rockford Park District sells to those that qualify. We get a summer full of events worth over 200 for 25 bucks!! It's something I wish I would have known when William was younger because he hasn't really gotten the same outings as Tyler has gotten.

He has gotten some but it was past the point where it's fun to hang out with Mom.

A few times today, Tyler left me alone and was interacting with other children. He got a little bord and tired with Magic Waters after about 7 hours of fun. I hope I can get a few more years with him while he still thinks it's fun to hang with Mom.

We have kind of got a late start with summer due to the weather and me taking on extra shifts at work. I always struggle with finding that perfect balance to work and spend quality time with Tyler.

I miss the days when my kids were young and one had all year for fun. He works so hard during the school year that there isn't a lot of fun that goes on during the school year.

In a perfect world, I would have my weekends free during the school year with him and in a perfect world I wouldn't have to send Tyler to his other parent every other weekend due to divorce.

It's a good thing that I have accepted that I wasn't born into a perfect world nor do I lead a perfect life or I might be pretty ticked off.

I am so thankful to The Rockford Park District for offering discounts for camps and the fun packets for children to have an enjoyable summer.

Not everyone has the funds to go on vacations away from home or pools in their backyards or the funds sitting around for expensive summer camp.

I am so lucky that we have a park system that has been set up to help the children that are not being raised with higher wage earning parents to have a summer filled with fun. These packets are not a giveaway to the paretns. The parents pay for them and also pay for themselves in most of the situations. Not complaining one bit. I love experiencing all the fun things. I get to watch my son has fun and I get to be a kid a again.

Tyler will have 3 weeks of sleepaway camp. It's not free. We had to pay and even then had to sacerfice and count our pennies to cover the 3 weeks.. I am not complaining though. The summer memories that he will carry with him for a lifetime is worth the sacerfice that as his parents that we make.

Tyler will have many events of swimming, two trips to Magic waters, golf, trolley ride, forest city queeen ride and ice skating if I can convince him. This isn't everything but it's a good bit.. Can't remember them all right off hand.

There is the tradition of the trail ride!! I love watching him ride the horses as much as he loves riding them. I hope to be able to afford to ride my own horse this year!! I have never been on a horse. I figure if I can brave Splash Blaster and live to talk about it.. Then, I can brave a horse ride. I think horses are such beautiful animals. Maybe, I can take one home?? :)

I don't know how the word gets around about this wonderful program. I didn't know about it until Tyler was finsihing up 5th grade I believe. The Park District has helped us make traditions and memories that we most likely wouldn't be making had we not learned more about what they have to offer to children like my son.

Thank again to the Rockford Park District!! Keep doing what your doing. It doesn't go unnoticed and I am sure I am not the only parent who appreciates our summer filled with exciting events that are affordable to my family.