We went on our first letterboxing adventure today. The tree of life it was called. It was awesome. It is a perfect hobby for one with little kids. It combines the outdoors with learning and clues, and then the reward of finding your treasure.
The hike started out tenuous as everything seems to for Aiden. After we entered the "forest" he became apprehensive and worried. He held my hand almost the entire way. I made the mistake of mentioning to watch out for poison oak -not that I really know what it looks like, and I will be researching it so I can give him accurate information. But then he didn't want to get poison oak, and he was afraid of being left and getting lost.
As you can imagine Nolen was the exact opposite. Running off at first chance, which happened to be the parking lot. Not cool. He is so difficult to hang onto. His feet seem to be controlled by a force outside of his body. They just keep going even when he falls, and rolls down a hill, they seem to supernaturally pull him up and force him onward. Through the bushes, the stickers, the mud, tripping and falling and rolling along. Nolen could care less to have us in sight. He ventures on recklessly without a worry in his little blonde head.
And of course any hike with Steve turns into an unplanned adventure with some sort of obstacle to overcome. After we succeeded in finding our letterbox we planned to take Ellie to the off-leash dog park nearby. Steve likes to rely on his "spidey senses" so instead of going back the way we came and going to the dog park by way of a known path, we followed our leader deeper into the woods. We did find the dog park, but it lay beyond to fences. I am proud to say I can climb fences with the baby in the front pack. Steve tossed the other two and the dog over and we eventually made it, much to Ellie's delight.
So, it was a PERFECT way to spend a gorgeous blue sky, sunny, fall day with the family.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Repeat: DONT FORGET THE STROLLER
I made a monumental mistake this morning. Steve sent me a coupon for 10 underwear for 25$ at Victoria Secret (you know your underwear is looking pretty bad when your husband starts sending you coupons for new ones). These deals that he sends me are always gone really fast so I hurried up and got the four of us ready to head to the mall. In my rush I didn't return the stroller to the back of the van.
Twenty minutes later and ready to unload the pack in the parking lot I discovered my error. Not wanting to miss out on this great sale I decided to brave the mall with the three boys sans stroller. Coen in the front pack, Nolen with his monkey backpack/leash and Aiden, oh good dear sweet Aiden, who listens so well, stays close and will hold my hand.
I discovered that Victoria Secrets is a nightmare with Nolen on the loose for most part. I uncharactristically made a very quick decision as to what I would purchase and set about collecting 10 of the same size/color. Meanwhile Nolen is straining on his leash opening every drawer, tossing panties about wildly and when I have finally gathered my wares, I look at him to see that he has one pair of frilly undies stretched over his face and is chewing on them. I ripped them out of his hands and tossed the slobbery pair back on the pile.
The only register they had open was the one next to the table with the long billowy satin table cloth, atop which sat bottles of lotions and perfume (glass bottles). Nolen strained the entire time I was paying (could we have your phone #, what about your email.. no... no... cant you see I am trying to wrangle three kids in desperation to buy new underwear after THREE years???, just ring me up ALREADY!) My bicep actually hurts from keeping him restrained.
BUT, I have new underwear....you can all breathe a sign of relief now.
Note to self....don't forget the stroller.
Twenty minutes later and ready to unload the pack in the parking lot I discovered my error. Not wanting to miss out on this great sale I decided to brave the mall with the three boys sans stroller. Coen in the front pack, Nolen with his monkey backpack/leash and Aiden, oh good dear sweet Aiden, who listens so well, stays close and will hold my hand.
I discovered that Victoria Secrets is a nightmare with Nolen on the loose for most part. I uncharactristically made a very quick decision as to what I would purchase and set about collecting 10 of the same size/color. Meanwhile Nolen is straining on his leash opening every drawer, tossing panties about wildly and when I have finally gathered my wares, I look at him to see that he has one pair of frilly undies stretched over his face and is chewing on them. I ripped them out of his hands and tossed the slobbery pair back on the pile.
The only register they had open was the one next to the table with the long billowy satin table cloth, atop which sat bottles of lotions and perfume (glass bottles). Nolen strained the entire time I was paying (could we have your phone #, what about your email.. no... no... cant you see I am trying to wrangle three kids in desperation to buy new underwear after THREE years???, just ring me up ALREADY!) My bicep actually hurts from keeping him restrained.
BUT, I have new underwear....you can all breathe a sign of relief now.
Note to self....don't forget the stroller.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Grandpa and the Boys
My parents came from Mt this last weekend to celebrate my brother's and my birthday. The boys had so much fun with Grandma and Grandpa. Grandma Sande made really cute stick horses for Aiden and Nolen (pictures to come). Coen really took to my dad, I think it was the "Coen is the king of the wild frontier" song that won him over.Thank you so much for coming to visit us. We love you!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
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