4 Miles

This week I did two things I've wanted to do since we moved here (yes, last summer). First, earlier in the week, I took Will to a near by park that has a large wooded area with dirt trails. We've been to the park for the company picnic the last two years, and been to the play ground there. But I've wanted to take Will for a “hike” on the trails. Tuesday, we finally did it…well, as much of a hike as you can have while pushing an umbrella stroller with Alex in it. (I never pictured me doing that when I thought of us doing the hike.) We have been loaned a 'backpack' carrier for Alex that I want to use, but my back is still stiff/hurting this week at times and I didn't think that would be the best idea. After our short hike, we went to the playground. But I enjoyed letting Will run down the trail, look at the creek and trees and flowers, pick up sticks and just 'explore'. (And dodging the boys cross country team that was running the trails while we were there.)

The other thing I finally did was to visit our Goodwill. We live in a rather upscale suburb, so I was curious to see if the Goodwill had lots of good finds. I learned to NEVER go on a Saturday ever again. I will go on days Will is in preschool so I only have one, non-mobile child. The place was packed! It was too crazy to browse too much, but I did find 2 pairs of pants & a winter shirt for Will (things I went to get–but they didn't have much winter clothes out so I will need to go again) and some pjs for Alex. We shall see—I will go back to look for kids cloths since what I saw was in pretty good shape–and much cheaper then the consignment store across the stree from us.

I have no idea why it took me over a year to do either of those things. I'm just proud I finally have.

I have been doing dishes for 5 years now.  Tina cooks, I clean.  It has been a long arduous journey.

I have procreated for one reason and one reason only, (okay, so I exaggerate,) and that is to not have to do the dishes anymore.

The Tort used to try and "help" 9 months ago but he wasn't much of a help.  Now?  He is a little help.  I wash the plastic stuff and he rinses them and stacks them in the strainer.

I finally see the end of the tunnel!!!!!

OHHH, And we do have some good Father-Son bonding time as well. 

Today the preschool went to an apple farm. I had asked several people to join with me in praying for the weather–it was supposed to be rainy and cold. Instead it was a beautiful morning! We got to learn about apples, try a red and green one as well as some apple cider, ride a tractor, and see some pumpkins (mainly this pile of pumpkins here). Will liked the tractor ride best. (No surprise there.) The teachers got to get off the tractor and pick one "Class Pumpkin" out. These pumpkins were right were we got on and off the tractor. If we had wanted to stay afterwards and pay extra, we could pick our own apples. I decided to wait until next year, when Alex isn't needing the morning nap so badly.

I realized we haven't given you a picture of Will in awhile (and we don't want to be accused of not being fair!).  This was taken on the first day of Pre-school (all the way back on Sept. 3rd).  I meant to put this up on the blog just after school started but life just happened (no real good excuse) and it didn't get posted.  He continues to enjoy pre-school. He comes home with all kinds of interesting stories of what he's done.

Today at lunch he did a cute little "rhyme" for us that goes (with motions):

Gray squirrel, Gray squirrel
Wave your bushy tail
Wrinkle up your nose
Put a nut between your toes

It gave me and James a good laugh. 

Then he was telling me how they went outside to play and they ran around and hit each other.
I asked him "Do you mean you 'tagged' each other? You touched someone and they had to go touch someone else to be 'it'?" 
He said "Yes, we hit each other and fell down and cried". 
"Did you fall down and cry?"
"No."
"Did you hit other kids?"
"Yes."
"Why did you hit them? That's not nice!"
"Because that's what we did. Then the teachers went inside."

At that point I just let the conversation end since I'm OBVIOUSLY not hearing the full story. (Later he told James something about a little girl crying. We still aren't quite sure what he's talking about. I'm assuming one little girl fell and was crying. But I figure if he WAS hitting, I would be told about it when I pick him up.) But it's times like this when I wish we could watch on video what's going on–so I could see the funny things and have the whole story when Will starts to embellish or get the facts confused.

 

I had to share…this just makes my day!

Alex has mastered pulling himself up and loves to look out our front door, watching the cars go by. I'm surprised how many places he can pull himself up and how far he can reach. He has also mastered a few "side-steps" while holding onto the couch. Just can't slow this kid down, can we?

Thursdays are Show & Tell days for Pre-school. There are "guidelines" for what a child should bring. This week they are learning about squares (amoung other things) so they were told to bring something that is square.  I am already (still?) having a hard time remembering Show & Tell.  This morning, as we were getting shoes on, Will picked a book off the shelf and told me he wanted to take that to Show & Tell.  The only problem? It's a rectangle.  I tried to offer him some books that are squares but he would have none of it, he wanted THAT book.  It wasn't something I was willing to battle, so I told him that was fine.  In the car, I asked him what he was going to say about the book. He was telling me how it was about trucks and diggers. Then he said, "Maybe the teacher will read it to me". I asked him "What would you do if she said 'No'?"  He replied (in his 'silly Mommy' tone) "She won't say that. She's a NICE teacher."

Happy Birthday T.

Today we had a cool, fall day. We started the day in the mid-40s and got up to the 60s (that's for my brother who's in AZ, where it hasn't even dropped into the 70s yet!).  I felt a bit weird dressing myself and the boys into the warm Turtlenecks and all–it's only September.  Was I just wimping out because it was our first cool day?  Was I being that overprotective mother? Was it just because I was cold this morning?  Then I heard the weatherman say that we were having Novemeber-like weather, and I no longer feel bad.  But, we can't get used to it, it'll be warming up by the end of the week.

Today was also my first night of MOPS for the year. (MOPS- Mothers of Preschoolers. Ours meets in the evenings so working moms can join. At first, I didn't like the idea. Now I do. I love not having the work of lugging the kids & all the extra stuff they require with me, and I love that I can go even if one is sick.)  While driving home I was thinking of the difference between last year and this year. Last year as I was driving home, I cried. Not because the meeting was bad or anything, but it was so different from my previous group–and I missed them. This year, there was no crying. I still miss those friends I had made, but I am starting to make new ones…it's a slow process, but at least it is happening. I agreed to be a table leader this year, which means I'll be a "small group" leader for a table.  I hope it will go well and I'll enjoy MOPS as much this year as I did last.  I sure can't quit if I don't though!

Today be Talk Like a Pirate Day!  Arg!