Parks and Fairy Gardens
In the heart of Macroom is a village park dedicated to beloved fairies. Each tree's stump is decorated to help you imagine the tiny creature who supposedly takes residence within. Today was a day spent largely in parks. Without major plans until later in the day, we took the opportunity to let Nora play.
It's interesting to watch how Nora approaches a park. She first scouts it out, identifying all the elements she'll be prioritising, likely with doll in arm. Then she beelines to the swings for a meaningful period of time. But her favourite part is when other kids are down to play. She has no issue walking right up to another family, introducing herself, and offering an activity for their kids. Today's kids were largely shy and would run off before she could get through her pitch.
Scouting playgrounds and parks is a new part of parenting for us, and we take it rather seriously. A few things make a good park for Nora:
- Quality swing set. Options for Maeve to swing as well are a bonus. Approximately 70% of park time will be spent either on the swings, or pushing the swings, so this is a critical elements.
- Bouncy floors. Whenever a park has a rubber floor, Nora likes to test it with a few half bounces before announcing her find. She falls a lot, so a good bounce is welcome.
- Horse / train / car ride ons. Ideally a crudely cut out and painted train, with a wheel where she can offer to take us to key landmarks, like the grocery store.
Highlights
โ Rebel Coffee (Macroom) - ๏ธDelicious americano and brew (hard to find in Europe), featuring a monument to Michael Collins.
๐ Tiny Feet Fairy Garden (Macroom) - brilliantly set up, with lots for the kids to touch and interact with.
๐ Clรณs Sugratha Maigh Chromtha (Macroom) - top of a very steep hill (both hands on the stroller), but great set up and a double decker playground.
