picnic in the park: but not exactly a park

We've been continuing our picnic supper tradition, and it's been a big success.  A few weeks ago, though, we decided to mix it up a bit.  Rather than visiting yet another playground, we decided to visit Jim at school.  Though we wouldn't be trying out any swings or slides or monkey bars, our children had no complaints.  If that seems a bit surprising to you, let me give you a one word explanation:  fountains.

Stanford has lots and lots of fountains.  And -- at least as far as our children are concerned -- a fountain is  perhaps even more fun than a playground.  I was still unloading John David from the van and putting him in the stroller when the girls began exploring the first fountain...

I didn't manage to drag them away until their father arrived.  And we were only able to do so then because we promised an even larger fountain.  Then they skipped off, happily.  We were headed toward Green Library, where there's a big, red fountain and a tasty little outdoor cafe.  Though we'd packed peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the kids (poor Indy gets only jelly for a while longer), Jim and I splurged on supper at the cafe.  And on a treat for the girls to share -- a delicious looking red velvet cupcake.  (The cafe is totally unassuming... unless Jim had told us, I'd never have guessed you could get such tasty food from a tiny little place.  If you're ever looking for a place to eat on campus, I can highly recommend it.  Or at least the beverly hills chopped salad.)

We sat on the steps near the fountain to eat our suppers.  Truth be told, though, our kids weren't nearly as interested in their food as they were in the water.  Madeline started splashing almost immediately.

But Kathleen seemed to content to just sit and dangle her feet.  At least for a bit.

But before we knew it, they were off, exploring.  There was a shallow ledge around the outside of the fountain, and the girls walked the perimeter.

Of course, the problem with a shallow ledge is that it does end.  And Madeline found it.  The hard way.

Fortunately, we've been at this circus thing long enough to anticipate that problem.  We had a change of clothes for everyone (though Maddie Beth was the only one who needed one).  With a dry dress, she was happy again.

If the girls could play in the water, then John David wasn't about to stay away.  He needed to be reminded that he couldn't just wade out to the center.  Keeping him from wrestling away from us was no small feat!

And then the girls were off again, wading, running, exploring.

I think Jim and I had as much fun watching them as they had playing.  It was a perfect picnic and another example of why we love summer evenings at Stanford.