Apparently, three-year-olds had far less stamina than I’d assumed.
After a failed attempt to bribe her into walking while I carried the scooter, we eventually landed on a compromise. Charlotte would stand on her scooter and hold on to thehandlebars while I bent over, placed my hands over hers, and pushed her the rest of the way.
And while I’d originally thought it was great that Theo had opted for a manual scooter instead of an electric one, since it was safer and a good way for Charlotte to burn off energy, I was definitely sweating by the time we made it to the park.
“That’s Bria and Camilla’s mom!” Charlotte pointed ahead after scanning the play area for a moment.
I followed her finger and saw a group of three women sitting on a blanket in the grass beside the play equipment.
That was when I recognized Lia and Amanda from the night before, sitting next to Cassia—the mom who’d hired me as Belle for the princess party on Saturday.
Which I guess I should’ve expected since Lia’s husband had spent half the party talking with Theo and Cassia’s husband.
“Do you want to walk the rest of the way?” I asked Charlotte, hoping she’d regained some of her energy now that we’d arrived at our destination.
“Yes!” Charlotte nodded and stepped off the scooter.
I unclipped her helmet and slid it over the scooter’s handlebars while Charlotte took off toward the playground.
“Hello,” I said as I approached the blanket with the three women. “I’m guessing you’re the moms in Charlotte’s playgroup?”
“Yes,” Lia said, looking up with an easy smile. “We’re so glad you and Charlotte could join us.” She scooted over and patted the blanket beside her. “Come sit.”
I set Charlotte’s princess scooter with three wheels down near the edge of the blanket, then scanned the playground until I spotted her climbing the stairs to the slide toward one of Lia’s twins and Cassia’s daughter Aspen.
Satisfied she was safe and occupied, I sat down, anglingmyself so I could still see the playground area while I chatted with the women.
“I see you were adventurous and let Charlotte scooter here,” Amanda said, nodding at the scooter. “How was it?”
“It started out great.” I laughed, leaning back on my hands. “But I definitely overestimated how far a three-year-old could make it.”
“Been there.” Cassia chuckled.
“Same,” Amanda said. “When my son was at that age, I learned that even if he swore he could ride his trike or scooter to the park, I should still bring the stroller as a backup since he usually turned into a zombie by the end.”
“Smart,” I said. “I’ll have to remember that.”
“There’s nothing like an overtired three-year-old to really make you question your life choices,” Lia said, laughing.
“I’m guessing you would know since you have three kids, right? Twin girls and an older boy?” I said, remembering the dark-haired boy who resembled Lia and her husband running around their backyard the night before.
“Hence the reason we drove here today,” she said.
“Am I the only one who walked here?” I asked. I didn’t know where Amanda lived, but having been to both Lia and Cassia’s houses recently, I knew they weren’t too far from the park.
“Yep,” Amanda said. “But that’s just because we had a doctor’s appointment right before this.”
“Okay, so I’m not completely crazy by walking, then?” I asked, feeling like a newbie among these experienced mothers.
“Just a little aspirational,” Lia said, patting my leg. “But we all start somewhere. And you’re just helping Theo out this week, right?”
“This is my second day.”
“Then you’re doing great,” she said.
“Well, that’s reassuring.” I let out a small breath.
Even though I’d done a preschool and childcare rotation for my early childhood development minor, there were apparently some things you just couldn’t understand until you were in it. “I’m mostly just hoping Charlotte doesn’t revolt when it’s time to walk home.”