Hobble Creek Picinic

We spent Sunday afternoon up Hobble Creek Canyon and had a little family picnic. A while back my mom recommended a book to me called "The Last Child in the Woods." Its about how children these days are missing a crucial element in their development by not spending enough time outdoors, especially having unstructured time in nature. Its a really interesting book for anyone who's interested. Its made Andy and I really want our children to grow up in the outdoors. There's just something that makes you feel good as a parent to see your child experiencing and enjoying all of these beautiful places we have around us.

So here's Tyler's horticulture therapy experience for the week.

Andy's Little Buddy

Andy is such a great dad. He's so patient, creative, positive, and loving with our boys. Tyler loves time with his dad and will often tell him "You can't go to work today Dad." Tyler loves to help his dad too with things like working in the yard, filling up and emptying his pool, and running errands with him. He loves special "Dad and Tyler" trips to the store. I'm pretty lucky too to have a husband that teaches me so much about parenting and is such a great support to me.

Post Church Crash

We have a 12:30 church time, which is right during Tyler's nap. After all the excitement of nursery, Tyler's pretty exhausted by the time we get home. He always stalls nap time though by saying he wants a snack. I guess with a full belly he just couldn't fight the nap any longer.

My New Escape - Mowing the Lawn

The chaos of having an infant and a two year old is starting to wear on me at the end of the day. Its tiring - mentally and physically. Initially when we moved into this house and needed to take care of a lawn for the first time in the marriage I told Andy - I take care of enough things on the inside of the house - the lawn can be your job. A few Saturdays ago Andy was pretty tired after a 50 mile bike ride and the lawn was looking pretty long. Sheepishly he asked if I wanted to mow it. I was tired from a long morning alone with the boys but started imagining what 45 minutes outside on a nice day, getting exercise and being alone with my thoughts would be like. I said if he'd watch the boys we had a deal. (He thought he had the easy job).

Again last Monday I was tired from a long day and the lawn needed to be mowed. It was close to bedtime and I told Andy if he did the dishes, gave Tyler a bath and put everyone to bed I'd mow. It was getting dark after I'd finished the front lawn and I contemplated finishing the back the next night - I took a peak inside to see how Andy was holding up - I saw dirty dishes still sitting on the table and Tyler still playing in the living room - Not time to come in yet. As I was almost finished with the back lawn I thought I'd take another look inside - I see Tyler running naked through the living room - I started to wonder if the neighbors lawn needed mowing too. By 9:00 I came inside to a quiet house, took a shower and relaxed. Its funny the little things you begin to appreciate as a mother when life gets really crazy.

He Did It!

Tyler successfully peed in his potty for the first time last night and repeated the success again this morning! Tyler has showed some signs of being ready for potty training lately but with a new baby I didn't feel I was ready. He asks to sit on his potty a couple times a week but has never successfully gone. Last night he was showing some signs that he had to go so I thought I'd try again. The trick was this time I got tired of waiting in the bathroom with him so I left to do some other things. I asked Andy to go in and get him a few minutes later and when Tyler stood up from the potty he had peed! We all screamed and yelled and ran around the house. Tyler got to call his grandparents and tell them too. I decided I better be committed to this potty training stuff myself now. So we tried again this morning and I left the room again so he wouldn't get stage fright and a few minutes later I hear "I did it!" - another successful attempt. I don't think we're ready for no training pants yet and I'm not holding my breath for him to be accident free any time soon. But I guess we're on the road to one less kid in diapers.

Cape Cod

Like most animals, Tyler was afraid of the crab I caught...

This sealgull came along and let the crab free. He just picked him up and set him down in the sand and let him go.

Although Tyler wasn't into catching crabs this year, he did like throwing rocks into the water and watching them splash. My dad and Uncle Louis probably found 50 rocks for Tyler to throw in.

The next generation of Cape Cod kids. My cousin's little girl, Brooke, Tyler, and Bryce.

Cape Cod Cont.

One rainy day my parents took Tyler to the mall to ride the carousel. He LOVED it as you can tell by his smile. He rode it with my dad and then again with my mom. As it was slowing down after riding with my mom he said "Sarah (my sister) wants a turn now?" We decided twice was enough.

This is what Bryce did while Tyler had fun on the carousel. Next year buddy...

I was really excited to take Tyler to catch crabs at the creek at low tide because it was one of my favorite things to do as a kid.

I caught one right away.