So I planned a mini outing for me and my 16 mon old. A mid morning nature hike and park visit. We run around the trails, careful not to touch anything green....JUST in case its poisonous. She's good at following sidewalks and paths, so our little trek was a success.

We than head over to the park area, and even though she is too small to really play on any of the equipment, she can run around with some other kids and enjoy the toddler swing. Well I see all the other moms, alot with a newborn and their older child. One has a dog on a thin leash that was hard to see and I was waiting for a kid to get clothes lined. The owner assured me that the dog was nice and that she could pet them, as I was tryin to explain to my toddler that its not nice to pet someone elses dog. She patted the dog for a moment, and went on her way. A little girl asked me my toddlers name and that was about all the conversation I got in this apparent clique. I was even swinging next to a mom that had a child close to my childs age, and got nothing. Not even a look. Not even a "how old is she?". I would love to make "Mom" friends that were local, but so far it was not looking good. I would smile, get close and try to hear their conversation to see if I could chime in....but it was about child enrichment classes and breastfeeding and twins...so no...I could not add anything. Finally a little girl broke off from her mom to her grandmother, and I asked about her age because she was about the same size as mine. The Mom said she was about a year, and I mentioned she was pretty tall for her age....but than she walked away. The grandmother, bless her heart...noticed the photo op as the 12 month old chased after my all-of-the-sudden shy 16 month old and snapped some shots (I did too).

I told the grandmother about a park at a school that was for 2-5 year olds, thus better for their age group, with bug steering wheels etc, and she told me about another one as well.

So thats it. A group of kids and Moms....and I get ONE grandmother to talk to me....

But as I left I noticed more Moms with young kids hittin up the nature trail. Maybe thats more of my group anyway. I will have to find out another day. So beware of the Park moms....not all of them of course...but the ones who all know each other and won't let you in to their circle! ;o)