The idea of picnic was initiated by Ivan. He didn't want a playland or a water park. He said that:"I wanted my baby to enjoy the nature!" He wanted to do that during the Raya Holiday but due to wet weather, we had postponed it. So, on the Merdeka day, after a birthday party we attended; we had decided to carry on an unfinished plan.
We reached the park at about 5.30pm. I prepared some sandwiches and sausages, after all this is supposed to be a picnic. :) We had decided to let Annabelle enjoyed her time there for about 2 hours. On the way, Annabelle had her nap in the car. As we reached, we took a walk to the water stream. Since she just woke up from her sleep, though she was excited to see the water she was still feeling groggy. I slowly tell her and show her the water. I let her down slowly with her feet touched the cool water, she refused initially. Many time, she tried to tip toe and many times asking me to carry her because the texture of the sand and stones in the water was rough. After 5-10 minutes, she was still standing at one spot in the water, papa took over the duty and hold her hand and soft talk to her. She began to feel a little easy and the next thing you know, she sat down in the water. Bravo Annabelle, you did it!
She loves playing with water but this is the first time she is in contact in the water in a stream other than water in a swimming play pool or her bath tub :). From her action that she sat down and touched the sand and stone and picked them up, she even couldn't bother much about the set of sand toy that we bought for her but she really had a good bond with the nature with her tiny little hand. We are happy that she even walked from one spot to another to see other children playing along the stream. Time passed really fast, it was about time we leave home. Annabelle had so much of fun and a little reluctant to get up from the water. We told her that we will bring her again one day. I cleaned and changed her. Then, she walked towards the children playground and happily walking around and seeing children playing.
I guess, we had spent a great time with her with the nature. Sometime, come to think about it; instead of bringing them to a playland, shopping in the supermarket or watching TV and playing game in the house; this is the best way to spend quality time with our children. :>