At 8:30, we set out in the truck to meet Jenn and Calvin at their apartment, which is about a mile down the road from our place. Jenn's husband, Jas, had a big finance exam for some sort of certification and took their one car at 7am, thus necessitating our use of the bus system to get downtown. Neither of us owns a vehicle that can accommodate two adults and three carseats. Plus, parking downtown on market Saturday is nearly impossible.
Ilsa asked if Calvin, who will be three this month, would be brave on the bus. She is keenly interested in other children's bus experiences because they do tend to scare her a little still. I said that we'd have to see if Calvin was brave. Ilsa said she would be a brave boy, which led to a discussion about the difference between boys and girls, including anatomy. Juliette joined the conversation and wanted to know what I had in my pants, and since we were in our bathroom, I showed them. Juliette revealed her observations about the subject: daddy has an "oval line" and "he pees in a rainbow" shape. Fair enough. I about cracked up.
Anyway, the bus ride went well and we headed straight to the nearby Central Branch for a trip to the bathroom. Then we started to make the big walk about the Farmer's Market, which is just getting in the swing of things with seedling plants, asparagus, early greens, radishes, and other early veggies. And cheese. So much cheese.
Cows on the Concourse is an annual event during which local dairy farmer's bring actual live cows to the state capital, as well as various dairy products. The event really is the most amazing blend of rural tradition and agriculture with the preferences and politics of a very liberal city. Mingled with the farmers were anti-war protesters and other activists, representatives from the Madison Opera selling season passes, local craftspeople, curbside musicians, college kids, openly gay couples, families, and so very much organic produce. I love this city.
The kids were also vastly impressed with the unveiling of another dozen full-size cow statues for Cow Parade, which is what Cincinnati did a few years ago with pigs (Cincy was a huge pig shipping metropolis in its heyday). We feasted on ice cream and grilled cheese sandwiches, and I bought cheese curds and asparagus. We made another trip to the library for actual books and playtime - to get cooled off inside - and then made our way to the bus stop, right on time... we thought. I do not know if we read the schedule wrong or if the bus was re-routed for the festival, but we waited and waited and waited with three toddlers for an hour and fifteen minutes before our bus finally arrived. Everyone was exhausted when we finally climbed aboard - and Ilsa almost fell asleep on my shoulder - but we made it back just fine.
Our afternoon was spent taking naps (all three of us) and then recovering from our morning's exertions with gentle indoor play and a few stories - and a bunch of fruit and water that night to counter the effects of all that cheese. And with this prolific outdoor activity, the three of us pale girls will be brown by the end of summer, even with sunscreen. Amazing!
Ilsa asked if Calvin, who will be three this month, would be brave on the bus. She is keenly interested in other children's bus experiences because they do tend to scare her a little still. I said that we'd have to see if Calvin was brave. Ilsa said she would be a brave boy, which led to a discussion about the difference between boys and girls, including anatomy. Juliette joined the conversation and wanted to know what I had in my pants, and since we were in our bathroom, I showed them. Juliette revealed her observations about the subject: daddy has an "oval line" and "he pees in a rainbow" shape. Fair enough. I about cracked up.
Anyway, the bus ride went well and we headed straight to the nearby Central Branch for a trip to the bathroom. Then we started to make the big walk about the Farmer's Market, which is just getting in the swing of things with seedling plants, asparagus, early greens, radishes, and other early veggies. And cheese. So much cheese.
Cows on the Concourse is an annual event during which local dairy farmer's bring actual live cows to the state capital, as well as various dairy products. The event really is the most amazing blend of rural tradition and agriculture with the preferences and politics of a very liberal city. Mingled with the farmers were anti-war protesters and other activists, representatives from the Madison Opera selling season passes, local craftspeople, curbside musicians, college kids, openly gay couples, families, and so very much organic produce. I love this city.
The kids were also vastly impressed with the unveiling of another dozen full-size cow statues for Cow Parade, which is what Cincinnati did a few years ago with pigs (Cincy was a huge pig shipping metropolis in its heyday). We feasted on ice cream and grilled cheese sandwiches, and I bought cheese curds and asparagus. We made another trip to the library for actual books and playtime - to get cooled off inside - and then made our way to the bus stop, right on time... we thought. I do not know if we read the schedule wrong or if the bus was re-routed for the festival, but we waited and waited and waited with three toddlers for an hour and fifteen minutes before our bus finally arrived. Everyone was exhausted when we finally climbed aboard - and Ilsa almost fell asleep on my shoulder - but we made it back just fine.
Our afternoon was spent taking naps (all three of us) and then recovering from our morning's exertions with gentle indoor play and a few stories - and a bunch of fruit and water that night to counter the effects of all that cheese. And with this prolific outdoor activity, the three of us pale girls will be brown by the end of summer, even with sunscreen. Amazing!
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