Penrose Place

I know I've mentioned that we live in a duplex now, and that we love it.  I think I've shown the backyard by now (which we still haven't mowed - oops!) and maybe I've mentioned how amazing it is to step outside and start the car five minutes before I leave so that the the heat is running by the time I'm strapping PDG into his carseat?

Seriously, apartment life may come with pools and gyms, but since I never used those, this house-renting stuff is totally my style.

But beyond that, we've apparently moved into quite the neighborhood.  It's called Penrose, and like every A-town neighborhood, it has very distinct boundaries.

J-Man and I laugh at the neighborhoods around here.  Yes, NYC and San Fran have neighborhoods with names and stereotypes and all, but come on - Arlington?!  Does that much really change anymore if you go west of Walter Reed?  Cross over 50?  Cross Columbia Pike?  Sure, as you drive west on the Pike, a lot changes, as in, the average complexion of the people gets browner, but rent is crazy across the board, the parks are amazing across the board, and people still drive like maniacs.

But anyway, I digress.

We live in Penrose now.  There is a park we can walk to, which PDG loveloveloves, and so do I.  It has a good ten ride-on toys that are just there.  Always.  For any kid to play on.  Plus the age 2-5 side with swings, sandbox, slides, rocking toy things; a middle little stationary train to sit in and say "choo-choo" a million times on; an age 5-12 side with big slides and climbing tower and more swings and spinny toys that are hillarious to watch kids get on and then get off and stumble like mini-drunkards (and then pretend like you aren't laughing at small children).

So one day PDG and I went for a stroll to the park, after stopping at our usual treees and lights to admire them in the usual ways (this kid also loves routines), and stumbled upon really loud music.  A live band even.  And a moon bounce.  And hot dogs and hamburgers being grilled and a long table of pot-luck food with big coolers of sodas.

This was quite a birthday party or.... wait.... did that sign say sponsored by Giant Food and Penrose Neighborhood???

I googled it on my phone, being the introvert who was too afraid to just ask one of the many moms and dads chasing their own toddlers around, and sure enough, this was a neighborhood event.  Totally free.  Just come, eat, and bring a treat to share if you can.

I felt a little guilty having not brought anything, but I got over it and grabbed PDG some dinner after we played for a little while.  He danced some and had a grand ol' time.

So not only are the houses wonderful, the neighbors incredibly friendly, and the public spaces fantastic, but we get free parties too?!

When recounting the day to J-Man that evening he insisted they must be out for our organs.  Why else would this place be so great?

Luckily, so far my kidneys are in tact.  We'll see what halloween brings though.  Here's our neighborhood sign, all decked out, because that's just how Penrose rolls I guess.