An afternoon at Shevchenko Park

This week has been stunningly beautiful here in Kiev.  And after endless months of bitter cold and dismal gray skies, the "stunningly" is not overdoing it.  Most afternoons Gio and I head to the swimming pool, but today we had to play hookie and hang out in our park.  We are so close by that Gio often ends up going there mulitple times a day- if he is running it takes all of 5 minutes to get to there, but most days are more of a distracted 20 minute stroll with many stops to gaze at gutter pipes, sidewalk cracks, pigeons, sticks, dog poo....

Here are some shots from our visits this week....

Always on the hunt for ants.

They are tough to spot.

Found one!

No one loves the huge cement mixer barreling down the park path more than Gio.

These drivers are ruthless.  Walkers, strollers, pigeons and puppies must quickly scatter.

An entire corner of the park is brimming with older gentlemen playing chess, cards and backgammon.

This being Ukraine, alcohol  is consumed early and often.  I took this photo at 11AM and every table was covered with beer bottles.

Ah hah!  Here is where that truck was heading!  Gio loves this construction project- we spend a lot of time here before heading to the sand pile to replicate the work.

The swings at the playground are very popular and parents fight for their turn.  Luckily Gio has no interest so I do not have to get involved in the struggle. 

Playground equipment that would never pass the safety tests in the US.  Gio has little interest anyway.

Here is where we spent 99% of our playground time.  The general rule is to bring your own toys but to never play with them.  Gio has learned to offer one of his in exchange for something he wants.  The barter system works just fine unless an uptight adult interferes.

Mechanical trucks and cars are available for rent- rather scary as they go fast and 3 year olds are driving. I am grateful for Gio's complete focus on sand- he has never even noticed these!

He does, however, like the horses.  He got to trot on this one today- I could here his peals of laughter all the way around the loop.

I am still amazed how women dress here- even at the playground.  Can you imagine me in these heels chasing Gio through the sand???

 

Oh, how Gio loves this particular stand- he ran the entire way home this evening singing "I love ice cream" at the top of his lungs.  Clearly my shy, quiet nature has not been passed along to this creature!