Free Lunch

I know that those free lunches at the park aren't really free. After all, we pay for them through various kinds of taxes. But since taking advantage of them doesn't add to our monthly budget (we're already paying those taxes), it sure seems nice to run over to the park and sit in a shady spot while the kids eat PB&J and drink chocolate milk. Then, after they've taken a token swipe at the healthy stuff in that sack, they run around for 30 or 40 minutes, and Jacob & I play catch. All in all, not a bad way to start the afternoon.

It's also kind of fun to see who shows up from the ward. Some days it's a regular 1st ward reunion. Plenty of dads show up, too. Some, like Ron Withers and Mark Wasden, are off for the summer like I am. Others, like Matt Thompson and Paul Arrington, show up on their lunch hour break. It's a good gig.

And... don't tell anyone... ;-) if the kids don't eat all their sliced cucumbers or diced pineapple, I get a little snack too. Strictly their leavings, of course, but a nice little budget booster there too.