Here Comes Peter Cottontail...

We participated in the annual neighborhood Easter Egg hunt for the first time this past weekend. I was looking forward to it - after all, who can resist watching about 50 little kids running around outside in the springtime?

Just like he did when opening presents from Santa at Christmastime, K. seemed to slowly get the hang of the egg hunt concept as he went - ultimately "getting" it when the egg hunt was finally over.  At that point, he went around sort of plaintively asking, "More?  More?" and looking for any eggs he might've missed.  Nevertheless, he (and we) had a wonderful time.

The event exceeded our expectations.  What's more, the cherry blossoms, now in bloom (see top photo), lent the perfect extra touch to an already very happy day.  Here are some of my favorite pictures from the party.

Will The Really Funny Parenting Show Please Stand Up?

I never used to consider myself a television snob (to wit: I watch completely stupid shows like America's Next Top Model and Gossip Girl with relish).

However, after reading this excellent post in a San Francisco Chronicle blog and agreeing with nearly everything the author said, I've decided that maybe I am one.

And really, is that so bad?

Am curious to hear whether you think the new "In The Motherhood" sitcom is funny (like the SFC guy, I feel like it has promise, but I'm still a bit lukewarm, thinking that only time will tell). I'd also like to hear your thoughts on what is, to you, The Most Humorous Family Show Of All Time.

Scrapbook Tidbits

As we mark Kibi's 23-month birthday (yesterday), I've been thinking a lot about him turning two and also lamenting how terribly behind I am on documenting the precious first two years of his life.  My sister in law got me a lovely "Baby's 1st Year" book which, I am proud to say, I completed a couple of months ago, but still it seems that the months after the 1st birthday are crammed full of even more milestones worth capturing.  

I know I need to get on it, but in the meantime I keep all the little accomplishments and anecdotes on my computer.  Let's hope it doesn't crash anytime soon.

Anyway, speaking of these tidbits, K. came up with another good one yesterday.  

Those of you in the DC area know that yesterday was positively crummy, weather-wise.  We had a steady stream of rain and gray clouds ALL DAY LONG.  Well, K. and I were looking out the window in the morning, surveying the landscape.  He told me he wanted to sip from the glass of water I was drinking, so I obliged.

After a couple of big gulps, K. swallowed, paused, and remarked, "Just like drinking rain!"

I don't think I ever would've thought of it that way, but it just goes to show you how amazing the toddler brain is:  always wondering, always thinking, always engaged!

It's a Mad Dash...

... among those of us in the Washington, DC area (who are so inclined) to attempt to get free tickets to the White House Easter Egg roll.  They were made available on the White House website today.  

I thought I'd give it a whirl, and have been trying since about 8 am today, but no dice.  Not that I'm really surprised, but it would've been fun to snap photos of K. looking for eggs on the White House lawn.  But really, if I think about it, I'm probably romanticizing it.  As my friend J. said, the reality of it with a kid this age is that you'll spend the time trying to get your child to NOT bash other kids in the head with their eggs or throw them at Secret Service agents.

Still, in the interest of serving you, my loyal readers, I will post the link, if you haven't already seen it, in case you a) happen to be interested in coming to DC for the event (on April 13th) and b) have a lot of time on your hands today:

09wheggroll.frontgatetickets.com

Good luck!

Construction Truck Extravaganza, Part Two

I don't know if our county got a windfall via the economic stimulus or what, but there are - seriously - construction trucks on almost every corner in our neighborhood.  Which makes it great when we go for our stroller walks.  There's plenty to keep Kibi entertained so I don't have to worry about him suddenly deciding he wants to get OUT.  NOW.  (Which really screws up my jog/walk-for-exercise plans.)

The trucks are also great for mealtime entertainment.  We spent almost an HOUR at lunch the other day, watching the digger, Bobcat (I don't exactly know what it does but it has a bobcat on the side, which is good enough for Kibi), dump truck and concrete driller (sorry for the lack of vernacular accuracy here) do their respective things right in front of our house.  

Here's a picture of K. in "construction truck heaven," as I like to say.

Not That There's Anything Wrong With It...

If you are ever walking the streets of Arlington, and you see a small boy driving a pink car like this one, just remember -- he's a modern man!  

Not that there's anything WRONG with a boy driving a pink car, anyway.  

At least, that's what I try to tell myself as we stroll down the street, Kibi jolly as can be while I feel the need to explain the car to every passerby we encounter.

Turning Over a New Leaf

Several days ago I posted about my embarrassing rock-bottom moment when I saw a horrifying roll of "back flab" on myself in a picture posted on Facebook.  Well, I'm still trying my darnedest to stick with my new, healthy living regimen ... with a few bumps along the way (namely last Friday when I was super-sleep deprived because the night before, Kibi's stool softeners decided to start working at 2 in the morning and he couldn't fall back asleep -- oh, well).

But for the most part I'm doing WAY better than I thought I would be.  And I just purchased a new book that has got me excited -- yes, actually excited -- about my new plan and optimistic that I can make it work.  

It's called The Complete Beck Diet for Life and it's about dieting with a twist - it incorporates cognitive therapy into the regimen so that you are armed with solutions to the many rationalizations that a person makes when they are trying to talk themselves out of eating healthy.  

It's written by Dr. Judith Beck, daughter of Dr. Aaron Beck, a psychotherapist lauded as the "Father" of cognitive therapy.  I first learned about Dr. Beck when I was working at the Institute of Medicine; he is an IOM member with a fascinating professional background.  So, when I read about his daughter's book, as it was recently reviewed in the WaPo, I thought, Hey... this might be just the approach I need.

I'm only a few pages in, so I haven't jumped in to the dieting part yet, but already I'm geekily psyched about the preparations.  She claims that the book will help you re-train your neural pathways to adopt healthier responses to cravings and snack attacks (my, and I suspect most people's, biggest problems). One way she does this is by having you write mantras on a card to read, and re-read, about the positives to be gained from sticking with your diet and, conversely, the negative feelings you will have after you cheat.  I'm really intrigued.  A close friend is a recovered alcoholic and told me that they learned about neuroplasticity during treatment as a means of rewiring their brain to cope with drinking triggers -- so I've always been fascinated by the process.   

I'll keep you posted on my progress, but in the meantime, check out the book and let me know what you think!

Major Digestive Mystery REVEALED!

OK, I haven't posted much about this on my blog, but for the longest time, Kibi's been struggling with a problem that I have no choice but to call The Great BM Mystery.

For long stretches at a time (5, 6, 7 days) he will have what looks like diarrhea, but it doesn't have quite the, um, volume that's consistent with diarrhea.  It's more like a "splatter" in his diaper.  And it happens frequently, as in 10 to 12 times a day on a typical day.  When it gets really bad, he'll double over in pain when it's happening and announce that he's "pooping" or that his "belly hurts".  Which just kills me, as you can imagine.  

It's been like this, almost NON-STOP, since about the beginning of this year.  And what's worse, when he has these episodes, naturally we change him like mad, which means lots of wiping, which in turn means lots of diaper rash (he has especially sensitive skin) and then he hates being changed, it becomes like torture, and so on and so forth.

Well, I was going nuts, wondering if it was some obscure food allergy (he's already been tested, and has only shown very mild allergies to milk, and tomato - so mild that the allergist said it's not worth changing his diet over) or something worse.  

My pediatrician was also stumped, so she sent us to a pediatric gastroenterologist at Children's National Medical Center.  And, right away... she SOLVED the mystery!

He's got encopresis.  Which you can also read about here, and here.

Phew!  What a relief to know we don't have to worry about allergies or other, scarier problems.

So we've been given an OTC stool softener, which we begin tonight, for the first step of treatment: the "cleaning out."  Fun, fun!  But at least it means my poor little guy will be one step closer to being bellyache-free.

Construction Truck Extravaganza!

One way you can tell that spring is just about here is the influx of construction and landscaping projects going on in and around our neighborhood.  This means ... TRUCKS, glorious TRUCKS of all shapes, functions and sizes!

And so, we awoke to a glorious surprise: the County launched its water pipe replacement project in front of our house today.  Wonderful news!  

Kibi was rapt during breakfast, as we went out for our walk, and again when we came back (and tailgated on our front porch with snacks while we watched the crew work).  

Here are some pictures of our excitement-filled morning. 

[BTW, I don't know why my pictures are always scattered haphazardly over the page; I am not sure if this is a Blogger.com flaw or if I am doing something wrong when I post them.  Anyone out there know?]

All I'm Going to Say Is...

WOW, is this a good read, or what?

You mamas out there know what I'm talkin' about.

Butterflies! And Other Dreary Day Adventures

It's a dreary, inbetween sort of day - not really freezing, but not warm enough to play outside. And so, feeling overwhelmed at the thought of 8 hours inside with no backup*, I quickly hopped on the Our Kids website to see what sort of fun, Kibi-friendly activities I could find in the DC area today.  (Those of you who are local parents are surely familiar with Our Kids; if not, be sure to check it out -- for a small subscription fee, you get access to a comprehensive listing of fun things to do for parents and kids in the Washington, DC metro area. )

At the top of their Reviews list, I found the National Museum of Natural History's live butterfly exhibit, and I thought, "Excellent!"  

I bundled Kibi up and we made the trek downtown.  I hate to advocate against public transportation, but I didn't want to take a chance on a Metro ride going horribly wrong (see my recent Terrible Twos entry), so we took the car.  And maybe it's because it's a Monday, or maybe because it's not yet Cherry Blossom season, aka CRAZYTIME, but whatever the reason, I found ample parking spaces right in front of the museum!  Hooray.  

The only drawback was what happened when we got inside.  We were told that today, of all days, was the day the butterfly exhibit was closed due to a broken door.  ARRRRRGH!

Nevertheless, we soldiered on, and I'm glad we did.  We saw some amazing sights, from a deep ocean exhibit to a room full of lifesize dinosaur bones.  

Kibi was NOT interested in the things that I thought he would be (lifesize dinosaur bones, wall-size tv screens showing schools of fish swimming, a huge room full of bugs on display) and showed interest in the things I was least expecting (an abandoned Smithsonian snack cart, public works employees sawing branches off a tree outside the museum).  

Ah, well.  As with so many things, I think he'll REALLY like this place in a year or two.  But I still give today's visit an enthusiastic thumbs up. 

And I think we're going to try and make our way back to that butterfly exhibit someday (it reopens as soon as tomorrow, for any of you who may be interested).

*"backup" = D-A-D

Add This One to Your BlogRoll

I normally don't blog on the weekends, but I had to share something that's become a delightful part of my weekday and weekend fare: "The Poop," the San Francisco Chronicle's parenting blog.

Put it on your list of must reads immediately!  

BTW, I just submitted this photo of me and my brother, circa 1979, to their Childhood Bowl Cut Challenge.  At least now if my bro doesn't win, I'll have the satisfaction of having shared it with all of you, my dear readers.  (And let me know if you have a bowl cut to beat his - I'd love to see it!)

Kibi's New Baby Cousin

We interrupt this blog for a congratulatory announcement to Kibi's Uncle J. and Aunt J. upon the birth of their first child, a girl, the adorable Baby M.  (oh, the lengths I go to protect our privacy!) She was born on March 10th in California after her mom went through (gulp) more than 60 hours of labor.  Yikes! 

Welcome to the world, little M.  We are looking very forward to meeting you!

Blue Bomber

K. is on an airplane kick.  Well, I shouldn't call it a kick, because he's been interested in airplanes for at least the past year.  But it seems like the interest has ratcheted up considerably lately -- so much so that everything is now becoming an airplane.  His spoon, his crayons ... and our car.

Our car, a blue station wagon, has now become "Blue Bomber" (thanks to my husband) and Kibi just relishes it.  A typical departure in the Blue Bomber (also often referred to as Bluey) goes something like this.

Kibi gets placed in his car seat.

"Copilot Kibi - buckled in? Check."

Mom closes his door and gets in the driver's seat.

"Pilot Mommy - buckled in? Check."

We back out of the driveway.

"Blue Bomber departs from the gate on the approach to the runway."

We turn down our street.

"Air traffic control to Blue Bomber: You are cleared for take off."

I report back to air traffic control.

"Pilot Mommy to Air traffic control: Roger."

We turn down the next street and, if there is minimal traffic, I step (lightly) on the gas ... at this point the "take off" morphs into something of a rocket launch, but Kibi doesn't know the difference, and besides, it is just another way to build the excitement.

"5... 4... 3.... 2.... 1.  TAKE OFF!"

Vroooooommm, down the street we go.  Pilot Mommy looks back at Copilot Kibi, who at this point is sporting an ear-to-ear grin.  Definitely the best part of all for Pilot Mommy!

Houston, We Have a Problem

OK, I'll just say it.  A pooping problem.  I don't know what's up, but K. has some sort of gastrointestinal funkiness going on, really on and off since he was born now that I sit back and put the pieces together, and we are finally going to get to the bottom of it.  We're scheduled to see a pediatric GI specialist next Thursday, and I am so thankful.

The problem is multitudinous (is that a word?) pooping for long stretches at a time (3 to 4 to 5 or even 6 days).  The substance is very strange, not solid, but not diarrheal either.  It's like little splats at a time, but it goes on all day long.  On a really bad day, we end up having to change him a dozen times in as many hours.  And many times (but not all), he'll double over and whimper, announcing that his belly hurts.  That's the worst part of it all.

I've gone nutso trying to link these episodes to what he's been eating.  We did get an allergy skin prick test last summer (as you faithful readers will remember) and the only dietary allergies that showed were tomato and milk -- although the level was so low that our allergist said he wouldn't change K's diet as a result of it.  And he drinks milk EVERY DAY, so my pedi confirmed that it couldn't be a lactose issue, or else the problem would be constant (rather than frequent-but-not-every-single-day).

For a while I thought it was the high fiber, grainy cereals that K. likes so much in the mornings, because after all, lots of fiber can wreak havoc on one's digestive system (not mine so much, but it really does it to my husband ... and I'll bet he really appreciates me announcing that here!).  I consequently took out any heavily fiber-ous cereals from K's diet and for a few days it was better, so I thought we'd solved the mystery.  Then, the mysterious pooping returned with a vengeance.

I have been noting the days it happened since February 1st.  The result?  He's had these symptoms for 5 out of the last 6 weeks, pretty much.  We finally went to the pedi on Monday and she promptly referred us to a specialist.  So, we're gearing up for the visit next week.  I hope we'll get some answers once and for all.  It's hard to see little K. miserable like this, and so often.

We Interrupt This Pity Party for... Some Photos!

             

After I posted that last entry, I glanced at my page and realized that the blog has gotten quite text-heavy as of late.  

So, here are some recent fun pictures of my favorite subject --  Kibi -- outside, enjoying this glorious warm weather!  

I also included a pic of one of the two bunches of crocuses (croci?) that peeked through the brush in our garden a few days ago.  I love this bright yellow color.  The other bunch is a really rich purple -- so pretty.

Spring is really on its way - thank goodness.

I've Hit Rock Bottom

So I did something that I hoped I'd never do.  I untagged myself from a photo a friend posted on Facebook.  

Why?  Because I hated the way I looked.  Specifically, the culprit was a very unflattering fat roll that made its presence known in a most forthright way.  And more generally, well, I am a vain person.  So there you have it.  I'd rather not let an unflattering photo be linked to me, and if I have the technological tools at my disposal to ensure this, you are darned tootin' that I will use them to do so.

But ever since I did (last night), I've been nagged by What It All Means.  (Do you know I have secret dreams of becoming a psychoanalyst?)  And after much tossing and turning, the verdict is (duh) quite simple...

I need to get back on the frickin' exercise wagon. 

Yes, I will admit it.  I have completely thrown in the towel where my health and wellbeing is concerned.  

I used to be a devoted Weight Watcher, but I've let my subscription lapse and I haven't actively counted food points since several months ago.  And as for regular, cardio-centric exercise, I literally cannot remember the last time I went for a run.  I dunno, I can blame a ton of things... the holidays, the cold weather, busy work projects, lack of sleep - none of which really work as excuses.  

I got a jogging stroller for my birthday last year (April), and I remember a brief stint of using it, but I think somewhere over the summer my enthusiasm for jogging with Kibi waned, largely because he was going through a phase of trying to get out of his stroller at any cost.  So I then used THAT as an excuse not to exercise, because after all, how am I ever going to fit it in while caring for a rambunctious todder?  And so on, and so forth... blahblahblah.

But, the good thing about seeing that photo last night is that it was my "rock bottom" moment. It drove me to get my act together, diet and exercise-wise, more than anything else has these last several months.  And I am now closing the deal by revealing all of this embarrassing information to all of YOU, dear readers, on my blog, as a way to add another layer of accountability.

So... I'm pleased to report that this morning, Kibi and I dusted off the ol' jogging stroller, and went for a 40 minute jaunt.  I call it a jaunt because it wasn't actually 40 minutes of jogging (Lord knows I'm too out of shape for that) but it wasn't only walking either.  (Yay, me!)  A sort of walk/jog combo.  Probably hugely embarrassing if I were to have observed myself, but I'm long past worrying about that sort of stuff.  My current plan is that I'll ease my way into it, so that eventually I am back to doing a 30 minute run at least 5 times a day.

I also immediately got back on my Weight Watchers point-collecting regimen.  Eliminating that mindless snacking is, admittedly, going to be a challenge.  I do it WAY too much anymore, and working from home most days lends itself to unfettered access to the kitchen, which is DANGEROUS.  But I'll work on that.  I'll also try not to beat myself up too much - - after all, Rome wasn't built in a day -- but at the same time, I'm posting about this topic because this time, people, I AM SERIOUS.  And you all had better hold me to this pledge of renewed health! 

My friend (an faithful reader of this blog, btw) who posted the FB photo is so kind; I sent her a note last night telling her why I untagged myself.  (I did that after much deliberation, because it was tempting to surreptitiously do it and not have to reveal my vain notions ... but after all, I DO want to be accountable.)  She said she felt bad for posting the photo, but I assured her that doing so was, in fact, a GOOD thing.  Because we all need to get that little kick in the proverbial derriere to jumpstart plans that we've been making in our heads for ages.  And I will admit that I've been thinking about my diet and exercise slackness for... well, let's just say a lonnnnnnnng time now.  

After all, if my friend L., a mother of three (including twin boys) all under the age of 5, can take care of her brood, run marathons (literally!) and run her own business at the same time, I can surely get on a diet and exercise plan that works while doing my work projects and taking care of only one active toddler.

So, wish me luck, folks.  I'm off to calculate my WW points and plan some low cal meals for the week ahead.  Stay tuned...

They've Arrived...

Most parents of toddlers know that the Terrible Twos come way before the kid turns 2, but did you know it's possible for the Terrible Twos to arrive virtually overnight?  Yes, I do believe 'tis true.  It happened to us while we were in Florida.

All I know is, during the past week, someone must have found my adorably-sweet-irresistible-can-do-no-wrong baby and exchanged him for an obstinate, very opinionated, often crabby, very BOY-like toddler.  By "boy-like" I mean exhibiting CONSTANT displays of roughness, such as climbing over, clawing, and pawing me at every opportunity and throwing fragile objects across the room with no warning and for absolutely no reason whatsoever.  I mean, I hate to make sweeping gender stereotypes but, judging from the little girls I do know (who are all of course content to sit and play quietly next to their mothers at every playgroup I seem to attend), there is a distinctive quality to BOY behavior.  And I always hoped my darling little Kibi would break the mold as far as the BOY-ness was concerned.  But alas, no dice.

The most prominent behaviors I've noticed recently can be summed up nicely in one acronymn: BTNY.  This stands for banging, throwing, NO-ing, and yelling.  The BTNY seems to make its presence known now, at least once a day and often more.  Here are some examples:

BANGING:  Can take the form of banging cars on the sliding glass door, banging blocks on the antique china cabinet (why I have this precious family heirloom positioned prominently in his play area, I have no idea), or, my personal favorite, banging virtually ANY sharp or hard object on the poor cat.  Repetitively.  

THROWING:  The most irritating way that the throwing surfaces is via mealtime.  Without fail, when he is done eating, he simply picks up his bowl/plate/cup and throws it over the high chair tray.  Either this, or he takes the remaining pieces of food, and throws them overboard, announcing that they are meant to be "Food for Scooby" (our cat).  (I do have to give him points for a creative rationale.)  Throwing also happens constantly at playtime.  It's almost as if it's his way of changing the subject.  Once he gets tired of playing with a particular toy - whooooosh, there it goes, across the room.  I recently read a clever disciplinary trick for dealing with the throwing (thanks, MONA!) ... you take the toy that has been thrown and put it in "time out."   Needless to say, everything from Thomas the Tank Engine to puzzle pieces has been relegated to Time Out Land over the last few days.

NO-ing: This is a clear hallmark of the Terrible Twos.  Everything is "no, no, no!" Especially when it comes to dressing.  I never thought a boy would give such a rip about what he wears (and, truth be told, I realize that this is not about fashion but rather about stubbornness), but every day when it's time to get out of his pajamas, we have a MAJOR tantrum.   It usually consists of wanting to stay in his pajama top all day long.  If we have nothing planned, I often fold (after all, choose your battles, right?) but Murphy's Law dictates that the temper tantrums will ratchet up especially during times when we have to dress in a halfway decent fashion.  Sigh.

YELLING: This is the one that I noticed the most while visiting my parents.  Kibi has always had a bit of an attention-demanding side that manifests itself when I am engaged in a conversation with someone, either in person or on the phone.  (Lately it's been, "Mommy, OFF PHONE!" whenever I am on a call in his presence.)  Well, the behavior has intensified, and now he simply hollers one word repeatedly, whenever I am talking with someone else.  To wit: while we were riding in the car with my mom and dad, every time my mom or dad would tell me something, Kibi, from the back seat would start chanting, "MOMMY!  MOMMY!  MOMMY!  MOMMY! MOMMY! MOMMY!" until I asked him what he wanted.  The answer?  Silence.  And then the whole thing would begin again.  Oy vey.

Now, I am admittedly being a little dramatic in inferring that I now have a 22 month old brat. It's not ALWAYS that bad.  In fact, this new "independence" (or whatever the strange new behaviors are about) has been accompanied by an increasingly wonderful aspect of his personality as well, one that is very loving and engaging.  Some of the things he says now simply melt my heart.  For example, "Mommy, I love you."  Or, declaring "I love watching cars!" yesterday when we were outside in the yard counting trucks go by.  It's so exciting that he is becoming even more expressive in his communication.  He seems more affectionate in many ways, too, like when we enjoy a lazy morning in bed every now and then and he snuggles next to me, saying simply, "Mommy..." and I feel like the luckiest person on earth.

I guess that, like with everything, you have to take the good with the bad.  And I know the Terrible Twos don't last forever ... (Right!?!  Please tell me I'm right!)

We're Baaaaaack! And Some Observations

DISCLAIMER: The following post is in no way intended to denigrate RV campgrounds or the persons who frequent them. To do so would be to denigrate my own parents, who are kind, loving, and good-hearted people. Both retired teachers from Ohio (which seems to be a target-rich environment for the RV Set), they have logged in more miles in their recently-purchased mobile home than anyone I know -- and the most important thing is, they are having a blast together.  

HOWEVER, after having spent the last week with them at one in central Florida, I found the entire thing to be such a fascinating sociological study that I simply had to share my observations...

First, I must say that if you've never been to one, and if you have young children, I encourage you to do so.  RV parks are wonderful for toddlers - especially toddlers like mine who are unaccustomed to big doses of nature and who have a postage-stamp sized area of grass that is expected to pass for a "yard" back home in Arlington, VA.  

And yes, these places are also full of unique and memorable highlights for parents of said toddlers.  

Here are some of the hallmarks that I found most noteworthy:

1. Bingo playing every Friday night (I attended my first game, surrounded by some of the most die hard grandmas I've ever seen, surprised that I actually sort of liked it after the first few rounds)

2. Lots, and lots, of yard kitsch (gnomes aren't even the half of it!)

3. Golf carts used as transportational (is that a word?) vehicles*

4. Dogs in strollers

5. Very rare sightings of people under the age of 60

It's funny because, although I spent much of the time musing about how different the environment seemed than the one I am used to, it got me also thinking about how often people's varying versions of "recreation" perplex others.  I mean, who's to say one is better, or more interesting, than the other?  

Some people choose to go to museum-hopping in the city for a weekend, others choose to set up camp in an RV resort.  Hobbies differ from group to group. Some people think tanning booths are the best thing since sliced bread; others think they are horribly tacky.  Some read books for fun; others enjoy scrapbooking.  Some wouldn't be caught dead watching junky TV shows, while others relish reality TV.  (I'm somewhere in the middle, for those of you who are curious.)  Some choose to spend their free time shopping in a mall, while others drink up the fresh air at any chance they can get.  

There are a lot of hobbies and pastimes out there, but one thing is certain.  No matter who we are or what we choose to do, we're all part of a big, colorful, unapologetic mass of Americans having a good time when the workin' time is done. And I wouldn't have it any other way!

[*However, this may not be exclusive to RV parks as my brother, a Florida resident, says that this is a "Florida thing" in general.]