A Tisket, A Tasket

Our Mother’s Day picnic breakfast went pretty well. We have a new basket that I thought would be too big and bulky, but it’s fine. Alex ran away a couple of time (even leaving the area a couple of times) but he seemed to have a good time. We brought a bat and some balls, and he was interested in playing with them on and off. Only trouble was, he really didn’t want to sit with us. And, stupid us, we forgot to bring some kind of picnic dishes. Alex likes having his crackers on some kind of plate. He thought the Frisbee would make a fine plate; I suggested a container lid, and he was OK with that.

Not too big, not too small

I’ve begun to think we should get Alex his own picnic basket.  After all, he learned to eat hot dogs by playing with a little toy hot dog. Eventually, he took an actual bite and found that hot dogs are in fact edible. I think he’d love to help pack his own basket, and I think (or I hope) that it might make him more interested in picnic food and want to sit with us. I asked Ned if he thought Alex would like his own picnic basket, and he said, “You know, I’d kind of like my own picnic basket, too.” I asked what he’d put in it. “I’d put my food in it. But, Alex and I could share a basket.”

As usual, I’m going overboard and getting two. One is just a basket, but the most perfectly sized basket for a boy to carry. For Alex’s birthday, I’m thinking of getting him a picnic basket set. It might be a little frou-frou; it might be a little under-sized. But I think the dishes will help him realize a picnic is about eating and community. Besides, I find those polka dot cups irresistible. I’m sure he will, too.