It is worse than I remember. And it surprised Sean. The gap is narrower than 18 inches - more like 12 maybe? How did he not smack his head on the drop down?
Today I am thankful. Hug your kids people.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Thankful today
Went back to the scene of yesterday's fall in. I actually felt sick to my stomach as we approached it.
It is worse than I remember. And it surprised Sean. The gap is narrower than 18 inches - more like 12 maybe? How did he not smack his head on the drop down?
Today I am thankful. Hug your kids people.
It is worse than I remember. And it surprised Sean. The gap is narrower than 18 inches - more like 12 maybe? How did he not smack his head on the drop down?
Today I am thankful. Hug your kids people.
Friday, July 10, 2009
It could have been so much worse (why swimming is imporant)
Wow, can you hear my heart beating?
Just back from an adventurous morning at the park. I have wanted to go to Kill Creek Park for a while now as it is pretty close and the newest of the county parks. It was truly amazing and good to see something positive with all my tax dollars.
It has a beach (ok, it is just really nice sand into a lake but has lifeguards and all), pedal boat rental, bike trails, big playground, new/clean picnic shelters with grills and water fountains, restrooms, and an awesome trail that leads all around the lake. Think this is my new favorite place in KC.
After our playground time, bike ride, and picnic, we decide to walk down and check out the boat dock. I sit down in a new bench, enjoying the cool breeze and beautiful view and watching the boys play on and explore the dock. We are apparently the only ones at the park today. Loving it. No other people and outdoors = me in heaven.
Boys being boys, they soon start testing the limits a bit by climbing on the railing as all kids do. "Boys, down please. Railing is for hands only." Fast forward 3 minutes as Jake climbs again on a different railing, this time BETWEEN the railing of the grass area and the railing of the ramp.
Just as I am about to say again "off the railing", Jake literally DISAPPEARS before my eyes! A second later I hear SPLASH!!! Yes, apparently there is a 18 inch gap between the railings and it is above the lake!! He has fallen down a 3 foot drop into the lake between the seawall and ramp.
Funny how things can happen in slow motion yet you can react in fractions of a millisecond. I think I covered the 8 feet without my feet touching the ground, hurdled the railing to search for my missing and possibly drowning son.
I have Sean to thank at this point as there 3 feet below me in this 18 inch gap between the concrete seawall of the lake and the aluminum ramp, is Jake -- swimming in perfect form. I fall to my stomach, extend my arm and he calmly swims to me, grabs my hand and I pull him up to safety.
Once safely on grass, what does Jake do? He cries of course...no, not because he just almost drowned but because "I lost my Crocs!"
Have no fear little one, Crocs float. I fish his Crocs out of the lake and on the walk back to the car, we talk about how brave he was and how well he swam.
And my heart finally beats again and I take a breath...and hold his hand a little extra tighter.
Just back from an adventurous morning at the park. I have wanted to go to Kill Creek Park for a while now as it is pretty close and the newest of the county parks. It was truly amazing and good to see something positive with all my tax dollars.
It has a beach (ok, it is just really nice sand into a lake but has lifeguards and all), pedal boat rental, bike trails, big playground, new/clean picnic shelters with grills and water fountains, restrooms, and an awesome trail that leads all around the lake. Think this is my new favorite place in KC.
After our playground time, bike ride, and picnic, we decide to walk down and check out the boat dock. I sit down in a new bench, enjoying the cool breeze and beautiful view and watching the boys play on and explore the dock. We are apparently the only ones at the park today. Loving it. No other people and outdoors = me in heaven.
Boys being boys, they soon start testing the limits a bit by climbing on the railing as all kids do. "Boys, down please. Railing is for hands only." Fast forward 3 minutes as Jake climbs again on a different railing, this time BETWEEN the railing of the grass area and the railing of the ramp.
Just as I am about to say again "off the railing", Jake literally DISAPPEARS before my eyes! A second later I hear SPLASH!!! Yes, apparently there is a 18 inch gap between the railings and it is above the lake!! He has fallen down a 3 foot drop into the lake between the seawall and ramp.
Funny how things can happen in slow motion yet you can react in fractions of a millisecond. I think I covered the 8 feet without my feet touching the ground, hurdled the railing to search for my missing and possibly drowning son.
I have Sean to thank at this point as there 3 feet below me in this 18 inch gap between the concrete seawall of the lake and the aluminum ramp, is Jake -- swimming in perfect form. I fall to my stomach, extend my arm and he calmly swims to me, grabs my hand and I pull him up to safety.
Once safely on grass, what does Jake do? He cries of course...no, not because he just almost drowned but because "I lost my Crocs!"
Have no fear little one, Crocs float. I fish his Crocs out of the lake and on the walk back to the car, we talk about how brave he was and how well he swam.
And my heart finally beats again and I take a breath...and hold his hand a little extra tighter.
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