On Sunday, we had a family hike on the Castro Valley side of Lake Chabot. The excursion went well after a rocky beginning. I should have tried not to bribe Joanna at all. Normally we have a hard time getting Joanna to try anything new. On Sunday morning, she woke up and declared she did not want to go in the car for any reason. It was not exactly a bang the shoe on the podium moment, as Joanna changed her mind immediately when she heard the words "hash browns for breakfast." Before I knew it, my little girl was all dressed and ready to jump in the booster seat.
(I wish I knew American politics better so I could do a proper contrast to Nikita Khrushchev.)
We went to Doug's Cafe in Castro Valley and immediately remembered why we don't go out to breakfast too often. It's darn expensive. Luckily, we all agreed to having lunch and dinner at home afterwards. I won't get into the whole Joanna doesn't want to eat anything out of our fridge argument, but let's just call that concession a double win as a) we are going on our hike and b) we're going to eat at home afterwards. The breakfast itself was nice, but not a memorable feast.
Afterwards, we walked a couple of blocks to enjoy the street festival nearby to warm up. Joanna met a kindergarten classmate and enjoyed a few minutes on a play structure before we got back into the car.
On our way to the lake, I inexplictably offered Joanna the chance to play along the lake shore. She ate this up like it was crispy shredded potato goodness. I think I sensed some hesitation to leave the play structure, and that's why I offered it up.
Once we get to the lake, Jackie and I notice something immediately: No one is swimming. And Joanna already asked in the parking lot when she could take off her shoes and frolic. Once we walked by the first bit of lakeshore and its fishermen occupants, she asked the question once a minute. Soon, it seemed Joanna was asking every few feet. And then, every other step. After we passed a third occupied fishing pier, Joanna started adding a suspicious whine to her requests. By the time we past the fourth occupied bit, Joanna actively tried to put the brakes to our hike, pulling our shirts and pants, slowing our march, screaming that we promised.
I'm not sure exactly why we just didn't pitch Joanna into the water with fishermen around. Perhaps we were afraid to startle the fish away with her splashing. Perhaps we were afraid to be scolded in front of her in case it was illegal to frolic. I swear I didn't see any signs stating "No Swimming". Earlier, Joanna smartly pointed out that if there were boats on the lake, then swimming should be allowed. Otherwise what would happen if you fell out of the boat? We were surprised and pleased at her analysis, however, we wanted to find our own little bit of lakeshore.
After much consternation on Joanna and Jackie's parts, Jackie issued the ultimatum. If Joanna didn't stop crying by the time we got to up ahead on the road, we'd leave the lake without her setting foot in water. Little Jo jo put herself back together in time for us to finally find a bit of unoccupied lakeshore. A white foamy residue lay on the rocky edge. At our suggestion, Joanna took off her socks but kept her crocs on. After a tentative step over the bubbly barrier, she stepped into the lake water and started splishing across, holding on to my hand. I think we walked seven or eight times back and forth over that little bit of real estate. By the end, the only traces of her tantrum were slightly pink eyes and rosey cheeks.
On the way back after splashdown number two, Joanna randomly said, "I love you mom." I asked for a clarification. So she said, "I'm sorry for crying and pulling your clothes Mommy." I thanked her and asked that she try to be a little more patient with me.
After all that, I'd still say it was a nice stroll after a family breakfast.
*
Sunday besides being a national day of remembrance, was also birthday to Jackie's mother. At dinner time, Jackie admitted to thinking about her mother and New York a lot this week. All the people she knew in the WTC who passed away. Her mother. It was a somber moment.
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