Public Footpath Picnic

The kids and I had seen the trail head for this path a few weeks ago, but didn't have time to go exploring.  Yesterday, we left the house early with a picnic in tow and enjoyed our sunny morning together on the public footpath.

As I've mentioned before, it's common to encounter animals on public footpath walks.  I enjoy animals like anyone else at the zoo, but I'll admit to being a bit nervous about that one particular cow standing on our path.  Thank goodness for Phil&Ted's off-roading abilities.

He ran, and ran, and ran.

Once I let her out of the stroller, she ran, and ran, and ran.  She's getting ready for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

Rooke is not generally excited to try new things.  Sometimes he gets in a funk and gets it in his mind that he will not enjoy the new thing and will not have fun with the new thing and will get hurt, or whatever, on the new thing.  I've been told that one of his parents used to be like that. =) Our new thing on this particular day was a zip-line.  I could see the funk coming on, and felt like this was one of those times when I just needed to really push him to try it.  So with a bit of bribing (food almost always works!),  he gave it a go.  And LOVED it!  I can't tell you how proud I am of him not only gaining the courage to try out the zip-line, but admitting that he enjoyed it and doing it over, and over, and over again . . .  he was a  zip-lining maniac!

My kids are obsessed with pickles.  At their rate, I need to learn how to can my own.   

Random

I love playing games and I especially love playing Candyland with Rooke.  Even more so when Gretchen is contained!  He does pretty good with the rules, but doesn't like going backwards if he gets a "special card" that we've already passed.  I told him when he turns four he has to start going backwards, but for now I just love getting to play with him, using whatever rules he feels like following on that particular day! =)

After seeing a picture of Gretchen, a friend recently asked if she was "full of life".  YES!  She is full of life and joy and so much fun to have around!  On this particular day, the kids and I were ready to head out to an outdoor animal shelter.  But when we opened the door it was raining hard enough to keep us home.  Gretchen, however, thought the rain was great and decided she'd play in it for a while.  What are wellies and a rain jacket for anyway?!

You know the part in the credits after shows where they list who provides the wardrobe?  We would like to thank the following for supplying Rooke's wardrobe since birth:

Grammy Deb

KayeK

Elijah (and personal assistant, Sarah/Mom)

This t-shirt was part of a recent package Rooke received from our Seattle neighbor and big buddy, Elijah.  The fire truck shirt was immediately plucked out and worn for the rest of the day.  Thanks for keeping us in the hand-me-down loop, Hurts!

Gretchen wanted in on the action

Oh, the captions we could write to go with this picture . . .

Breakfast

A Front Yard

I really did enjoy the super-urban-Seattle-apartment we lived in.  But I will admit that hearing my son ask if he can go play in our front yard is a dream come true.  It's not much to look at, but I've never loved a patch of mossy grass or a struggling flower bed more.

Making good use of our last empty boxes

She asked to wear her boots and I'm still confused at how anyone could be sad while wearing such cute wellies (thanks, Evelynn!)

Mother's Day

We kicked off Mother's Day weekend with a special delivery . . . our stuff arrived!  I use that word intentionally.  It is just stuff.  But I'm glad to have most of it back.  Especially the stuff that helps me entertain the kids!  They were mesmerized by the big delivery truck:

 My parents were with us on Sunday, which was a treat.  It's been a while since Ryan or I have celebrated Mother's Day with either of our mothers.

Besides a pedicure at a spa (yipeee!), I got special time with both of my kids.  Gretchen's happened a bit unexpectedly.  After waking up with a fever and nasty rash, we ended up in the ER to find out she has Rubella (which is apparently very common over here).  I actually enjoyed the unexpected change of plans.  There wasn't much I could do for her, but it was special to cuddle my sick little girl on mother's day and be grateful that I get to be her mommy and get to comfort her in a way that no one else can.  She's doing fine and everything should be cleared up in a couple more days. 

Rooke and I got to spend some time together at the library where I was able to read multiple stories with him without being interupted to jump up and keep Gretchen from yanking books off the shelf!  

I'm so thankful for my two little munchkins who call me Mommy (or Mama, or Mom, or MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!)

The Ice Cream Truck

We live in a cul-de-sac loop thing and the ice cream truck visits us almost every day.  Unfortunately, he usually comes around 7:30pm when our kids are already in bed.  Several times, Rooke will hear the music, get out of his bed, raise the blinds, and watch the ice cream dream come to life for other kids.  He's never whined about not getting any or complained that he's already in bed, but politely asked one day when it would be his turn to have some ice cream.  Ryan said the next time we were outside and the ice cream truck came, he could have a cone.  It happened this Saturday while my parents were visiting!  He chose the 1 pound plan vanilla cone without any sprinkles or chocolate flakes.

Without being prompted to do so, he decided to share the cone with his sister

She missed the bite and fell into the ice cream!

Sunny Days

I am so grateful for the sunny weather we've been having.  Playing outside, although a bit forced sometimes, is a great alternative to sitting in the house without our stuff (ie, toys).  Today we took a walk to the corner store to buy a snack and then enjoyed the grapes on our front walk.

Then we watered our loan flower to make it happy.  I've never had a garden.  Or a yard, for that matter.  I have no idea what I'm doing!  But this single yellow rose is my motivation that I should work to figure it out and forget that I have managed to kill all living plants that I've ever owned (much to my mother's chagrin).

Saturday

Saturday was spent together.  The four of us.  All day.  Exploring, eating, playing, walking, sleeping, smiling together.  It was perfect.

We started our day at a local farm, where we enjoyed checking out lots of different animals, treating ourselves to a second breakfast of cake, and buying some fresh sausages that were delicious for dinner.  The farm had a great play space for kids and since we were one of the first families to arrive, Rooke and Gretchen had their pick of tractors!  

On your mark, get set, go . . .

After naps, we headed out for a walk through the public footpaths behind our neighborhood.

The trail led us through a field of rapeseed plants

Rooke came up to me and said, "Mommy, you take a picture and I'll be the guy who jumps up and down behind you!".  Ryan and I were cracking up as I squatted to take the picture, realizing that Rooke was referring to the people who always have to help us get a good family shot by jumping up and down to get the kids' attention.  And he did, indeed, jump and down to get Ryan to smile!

Public footpaths often cross through private property.  The cows and this horse didn't seem to mind us trekking through their field.

Rooke asked for a closer view of the machinery.