Parcs

Ben: What did you do today?

Me: We went to a park.

Ben: It seems like you do that every day.

Me: Yep.

And It's true. The system of parks is incredible in Luxembourg. We haven't been bored yet with a park, and we've only stood atop the tip of the iceberg as far as parks are concerned. The boys don't fight and they play until they're exhausted. 

The only recommendation I would make to the socialist government here is to get rid of the sand. I'm the only mom to show up at the park sans sand toys (because I don't know where to buy them yet and I don't want my kids playing in sand/cat litter). Every park is covered in sand and that sand ends up in our house. Otto and Aksel need a bath whenever we get home from a park. We take lots of baths.

I've noticed numerous physical benefits in the boys as a result of our street youth life -- they're braver, they climb better, they run better they're more agile, and they're more independent (at a park). Clever Europeans. 

Our favorite parks so far: 

Parc de Merl

A gem in the city. Reminds me of Central Park. It has a huge variety of playground equipment, paths for bikes and a pond with fish, ducks, and turtles. Swings, sandpits, seesaws, wobbly things, climbing frames, slides, a zip line, and a tower that looks intimidating even to me. 

Right now (summer months) there are also trampolines for free (even for adults). They are supervised and you must wear socks. We are still trying to help Aksel understand the importance of only jumping on his trampoline and not hopping across the lot of them. 

Gasperich Playground

Fondly called by Otto and Aksel as the "farm park". A mere six blocks from our home, the boys nearly jump out of their skin as we approach this park and wriggle out of the stroller and cross the distance to the park as soon as it's in our view. 

Built this year by the Luxembourg government, its themed around a farm with a wonky-looking barn with huge barn door, bridges, ropes, slides, muddy pig sty, tractor, horse and cart, cows, sheep, and more. Also, complete with sandpit and swings. 

Each year, the Luxembourg government builds a new children's theme park, and I feel super lucky that 2014 made Gasperich the recipient of the people's tax euros. 

anticipating our arrival to the farm park

Parc de Bambesch

This wooden park is hugely popular with Otto and Aksel and I, too, have fallen in love with the playground. Sandpits, little wooden houses, pretend castles, roundabouts, huge slides, a zip line, things that balance and wobble, and all sorts of interesting equipment made out of wood to blend in with the surrounding forrest. 

I think Kevin Costner would have used this park in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Ben said that was dorky. I spend a lot of time alone... so I can't be held accountable for my dorkiness.

Across the street

We spend most of our time at the park across the street. Normally, I would be begging Ben to put something in our yard to entertain Otto and Aksel, but that seems silly with the closeness of this park and all of the others within walking distance. It's perfect to go here for 30 minutes after dinner, or to kill a few minutes before naps. I love it. And if anyone has a melt down, or refuses to wear their shoes, or poops their paints, it's logistically perfect.

Kockelsheuer

A magical place of lakes, paths, parks, farm animals, and mysterious wig wams built of sticks in the woods. Only a few miles from our home, we've spent several afternoons and hours exploring here. 

It's the perfect place to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Apparently, I'm the only woman in Europe without an au pair and without proper clothing for my children. Lots and lots of people comment on how I have three children without any help and that we're just tromping through the country, making noise, and embarrassing ourselves. 

People are very polite, but not overtly friendly. One woman did speak directly to me once (people usually just argue in French about whether Otto is a boy or girl) and said, "when two of your children are crying, it means it's time to go home". I wanted to tell her the odds are in my favor that two of my children are always most definitely crying. 

Additionally, people love to tell me my children are not properly dressed. When it's raining, shorts, rain jackets and Keen sandals are not appropriate. Every child has wellies and every child has a rain outfit (a light weight snowsuit). I laughed out loud the first time I saw a child playing in one. 

Now that my house, car and life is a sand pit, I understand. We will be investing in both wellies and rain outfits stat. 

Every day I am pleasantly surprised by the loveliness and coolness of a new park. We've lucked out. Luxembourg is perfect.