Bubsi’s favorite activity (right after attempting to steal my phone) is going to the park. It is never quite clear whether she really requests visiting the leafy park or merely a playground – she calls them both “park”. But as there is a playground at the big local park anyways… Two flies with one stone, es the German says.

Summer play time

Purely by coincidence we discovered that the big city park hosts a play get-together for little children. On the big green field next to the toddler playground volunteers provide balls in various sizes, bobby cars, and fun outdoor games. Only in the summer months, and only two afternoons a week.

Last week was the final get-together of the year and I am sad already. Clearly the cold season is coming. I am not really a fan of fall. The weather getting worse and the days shorter make me feel like doomsday is approaching. Nothing rational, obviously. Just all of the other seasons are more cheerful. No more play meet-ups at the park is just the beginning of it all.

Bubsi running towards the playground at the park

Collecting stones and other items

To be fair, there is one thing I do like about fall: collecting things. This season gives Bubsi and me so many fun items to collect. Today, we spent the morning finding marons and other treenuts. The colourful leaves are a joy to wade through. Bubsi’s favorite collectible by far is something more common, however. Which is lucky, I suppose, as we won’t have a tantrum once fall has passed.

My daughter loves collecting stones. Carrying, throwing, looking at, trading, giving and finding them. Anything stone goes. At the big park the pathways are made from small stone gravel, so she spends a lot of time on the ground. One time we never even saw the playground as stone play took up two hours. Must be really exciting stuff.

Bubsi collecting her stones

What do you collect in fall?