4 Miles

We had a cool front come through yesterday and give us a rainy, cool day.  Today we had the "washed clean, not a cloud in the sky" bright blue sky and cool temperatures that tend to follow those types of fronts that I LOVE to see in the fall. We tried to enjoy as much time outside as possible. We went for a walk this morning and had a playdate "Back To Preschool" Party at some friends house, where we encouraged the kids to play outside as much as possible. Will has been asking to eat outside so tonight we had dinner outside as well. While eating, Will said "It's a good night for a bon-fire and marshmallows!" (This comes from our last cool down when I said that, but we got busy or something happened and we never did it.) He was right–it was a PERFECT night for that, and we all enjoy the smores a great deal. We told him he had a GREAT idea. And I put this picture on the blog to show that I really do exist.

Will was given some money for his birthday.  In the past I've gone and picked out something I knew he'd like. This year I let him go and pick out the things himself. This was really hard for me. I didn't want him to decide to get the first thing he saw and "waste" the money.  I didn't want him going into tears because he wanted something that cost more than he had.  But, we're trying to start teaching him money managements skills, and he has developed a definite opinion about what he wants so I knew it was time.

Today we went to the toy store for him to use it.  He looked at trains, and Fisher Price toys and we ended up in the construction equipment/cars.  He saw a large package of plastic fire trucks/police cars/rescue equipment. That did not take up his full amount so everything else looked at was only considered if he could get the fire trucks as well.  I struggled b/c they are cheap plastic–and I wanted him to get something that would last! But I held my tongue.  He got those and a garbage truck…Yes, I know, a garbage truck?!?  I don't understand little boys either. But, it's a VERY sturdy truck that will last a long time!

I was really proud of him though. He thought about what he wanted, he looked around, he didn't fuss–even with the price of the fire trucks were wrong (higher) and he had to put back a small semi-truck he was going to get as well. Thinking back, I'm mad I didn't insist we go back and double check the sign and make them honor the price I saw–though I could have seen the wrong price. But if I wasn't wrong– But I realize I need to let it go. He got plenty, he learned a good lesson and he got the main thing he wanted–the fire trucks.  He has also been very nice about sharing his gifts with his younger brother.  Now we're in the process of writing Thank You notes.  I've discovered it works best to do 3 or so at a time, so if you haven't gotten one yet, I promise they are on the way!  Edited to Add–I've just put some pictures up. You can click on any of the pictures to the left to see them bigger.

So that weight loss thing?  Still happening, slowly at times, but I'm losing, not gaining!  I am glad weigh in was Sunday–I gained the pound I lost back the week before, but having stuffed pizza for lunch and then fried chicken and cake at the church picnic will do that to you! 

So, I'm down another 1.4 lbs, for a total of 7.6 since joining Weight Watchers and 16 weeks of this program. I'm sad it took me so long into this challange to find what worked–but glad I'm losing.

My goals this week?  Get activity points each day and to not gain weight while at my parents house this weekend over Labor Day!

Will got up this morning and I wished him happy birthday and he said "I'm four?"  Then he felt his head and said "But I'm not any bigger!"

Happy Birthday Will!

Originally uploaded by AthenaMiles

Today we celebrated Will’s 4th Birthday…even though he is quick to point out that he doesn’t turn 4 until TOMORROW. (This morning he wanted to know if he could eat cake when he was three, today, and then cake tomorrow, when he was four.) On the table you’ll see my attempt at a fire truck cake. It didn’t turn out as I had hoped…the icing was soft and the items on the top front of the truck sort of slid forward. And I never put windows on it. But, it was a fire truck, and I’ve learned a few things so maybe next year it’ll work better–what ever I end up making.

We had a nice celebration. My parents came, and a couple from church joined us. Their son is the same age as Will and the boys had fun playing together. We had Will’s favorite food (pizza!) and cake. Will was blessed with some fun toys, a CD and some nice clothes. He now has a shed for his trains and a few extra trains and tracks as well as a digger and a cool police car and ambulance that his friend gave him. While he was setting up the trains, Alex REALLY liked playing with the police car and ambulance. Alex wasn’t very happy to go to bed–he wanted to take them with him. And now, Will is going to bed, for his last night being three!

They were doing this on their own–really. We heard them laughing, peeked in and saw them looking at books together.

In a prior blog post, ‘Waiting . . .,’ Tina mentioned a few projects that we have put on hold while we wait for our land to sell.

Here is one project she forgot to mention:

I might just do this one anyway. Good way to conserve water.

We're back to more hot, hot, HOT days of summer. It was so hot today…

How hot was it? (Come on, you know you were thinking that!)

…the schools without Air Conditioning in them let kids out early.  (Yes, there are a number of older schools that do not have AC.)

So, on such a hot day, what did I decide to do with the boys? Go on a 4 mile walk.

Before you declare me completely insane, let me explain:

We had rain on Monday and Tuesday so we didn't really go out, and I earned no activity points.
Yesterday it was really hot and we needed to go shopping, so I earned no activity points.
Last night I decided we needed to get moving, and thought if we left early enough, and kept on the trail with shade, it wouldn't be too bad. 

So, this morning at 9, we were off!  We took time to stop and watch the bulldozers work near the trail.  We went as far as a bridge Will likes to go to (the trail goes under a major road so it's cool to hear the trucks go over us).  Then Will decided he wanted to go to the end of the trail (about another mile).  We went to the end…then started coming back. Will told me he was tired.  I told him we'd go back to the bulldozers and we'd have a snack and watch them.  That excited him enough that he was able to go on the way.

While watching the dozers, we watched the digger come over, do some digging, then drop the scoop and use it's hook to move a generator (made by IR–Where Grandpa used to work until Volvo bought them) and then leave. While that doesn't sound like much, it was quite exciting to two little boys. 

By the time we got home, it was 11:30!!! James told me later that was 4 miles. I was proud at how well the boys did (Will rode his Big Wheel the whole time, only getting some pushing when we had to go up hill coming home.)  As proud of them I am, we won't be repeating that tomorrow. 

Preface:
Last night we taught The Tort how to play UNO!

Chapter 1:
After reading The Tort his bible story and praying with him he stated "You are my favorite Daddy." 

I found that flattering and said, "Thank you."  I followed it up with, "When you grow up do you want to be a daddy?"

He said, "Yes"

Of course, being the vain daddy that I am I asked "What kind of Daddy do you want to be?"

He said, "I want to be a daddy like you."  (yes, {single fist pump} my bait worked!)

"really, and do you want to have a boy?" I asked.

He said, "Yes."

Me: "What will you name him?"

"Uno" (remember the Preface?)

"Are you going to have a girl?"

"No"

"Why not?"

"Cause one is enough!"

After dinner we require our children to say "Thank you" to the preparer of the meal and to say "May I be excused."

This evening The Otter was finished with his meal so we said "Tell me mommy 'Thank you'."

He said, "Dank you".

Then we told him "Say 'May I be excused Please.'"  (Yes, of course we know he is only 9 months and can't grasp 5 word sentances.)

He said "ehhht, me-me" (Translated, "{burp}, excuse me."  He can't burp so he makes the vocal sound, ehhht)