Kinderplatz

As our time here in Freiburg comes to an end, we are trying to make the most of all our favorite treats and places. One of Myrna's favorite activities is visiting the new neighborhood Kinderplatz. Renovated just this summer, it's a mix of old and new playground equipment, but this isn't your standard American playground - the big toys they have there are reminiscent of our youth, the ones now been deemed "dangerous." Not only that, but there's a big water pump for use in making sand castles, plus a massive toy with pulleys, sieves, and dangling chains where you can transport sand and, if you want, sifting through it for, uh, rocks I guess - crazy.
Myrna isn't quite big enough to enjoy it all, but she tries. At first she liked standing in the sand. Then one day she and I were there alone, and I let her sit in the sand. The next time she and Chris went, there was no turning back from sitting and crawling and generally getting dirty in the sand. Sometimes sand gets eaten, but this is generally discouraged. She makes a new friend now and again, but she seems a little unsure what she's supposed to do with other kids, and tends to focus more on their moms. She did, however, once climb up a little boy to try to get at his toy cell phone.
Most trips to the playground are Dad and Myrna only, while I'm at work. But this weekend the sunny weather held and we all had a fun outing at the park. (More photos are also on her September Picassa Page.)