Wednesday, November 3, 2010

65 degrees
+
Sunshine
+
no time limits
+
snacks
+
Mac Daddy Stroller
+
Bikes=

AN AWESOME ADVENTURE



Something I have learned over the years, some kids can NOT be rushed. Drexel is one of them. Before even setting out on the rail trail he finds a spot with rocks, glass, dirt and sticks to play with. Which is fine for Delaney, she pulls out a snack and enjoys the "rest".



I love my stroller! I know deep in my heart you shouldn't love "things" but allow me just this ONE......please. My sister gave it to us for Delilah. It will be many years before we out- grow it. It has rolled across too many soccer fields to count. Cruised through more than a couple 5k races and a half marathon. Leisure walks in the neighborhood and bumpy walks in the woods.






These are an example of Drex items I find in my purse, dryer, night side table and car. I have also learned not to "chuck" them the same day of the outing. Inevitable he will ask what I thought about the so and so berry or beautiful huge acorn. Mom? Really? You didn't keep it?



Some of these I took while riding my own bike. I know honey not a good idea, considering what a spaz I am at times. I just couldn't help it. It was the kinda day I didn't want to leave anything to memory.



If you haven't checked out the rail trail in Florence, make plans, set aside a few hours, you won't be disappointed. I promise.





Trees with "swingy" branches hanging down like George of the Jungle seemed to have been strategically put in our path. I am HUGE fan of anything made by LITTLE TIKES but really, GODS playground is so much better for sure.



Sun shined through the trees, leading our way.

Whoa......Dylan....tha's too high!





As his MOM I can say......Sweet Drexel does make his appearances daily. In between the rough boy play, dirt, drool,bathroom humor and power wrestling. I usually just make a mental note and enjoy the quiet moment but today I was lucky enough to have had my pocket camera ready.






Crunchy leaves make the month of October



More swinging




Oh, and the perfect blue skies too!






We finally make it to the Veteran's Memorial to eat our picnic lunch....well, whats left of it.




Can't keep the kids on the pavement today. Off roading was more their style. We venture to the big dirt mound right next to the Memorial.



The 3 year leads the way while the 16 year old skids out and wheelies down the path.

While playing KING OF THE HILL we spot Daddy driving by. We call. He turns around and joins us for a few minutes. This was better than the swingy tree, lunch and crunchy leaves all put together. Better yet for me, Drexel unloads a pocket full of nature into Daddy's big open hand.





A NEW King of The Hill is crowned!


Delilah was super content making mud pies, I was just as content letting her get dirty.


It was all fun and games until the "mountain lion" takes a tumble down the hill.

I have to admit "Momma Lion" freaked out a bit and screamed "MY BABY, MY BABY"


The sun was starting to set, leaving us a bit chilled. We all hated to wrap up our day. We were out of snacks and seriously needed a bath. Ya know the "leave a ring around the tub" old school bath.


Until next time..........


































NOVEMBER 3, 2010
Just for Fun!

While the kids hair was still bright red it reminded me of my most favorite possession from childhood.


MY CHRISSY DOLL




She was the coolest doll ever, especially for 1976. She was seriously high tech.
Her hair could change from long to short with a pull of a string located in the center of her back. I remember taking CHRISSY everywhere. Learning how to braid he long synthetic red hair. I truly only recall my parents going out a handful of times throughout my childhood. Crazy things usually occurred......
BB gun fights, wrestling matches and burying our dinner in the backyard.



One of these nights while my older siblings were in charge, my sister Kathryn had a brilliant idea. Details are fuzzy but I believe her latest craze was to become a beautician. She needed guinea pigs, alive or not.
Hey Vicky, why don't we cut Chrissy's hair tonight?
Um, NO she is my favorite doll of ALL time.

Oh don't worry, her hair will grow back.
Really?
Yeah, I promise


Well,needless to say I cried for weeks after the nightmare.
Pictures don't show the butchery, take my word on it she didn't become a hairstylist. She did become a MOM of six and an A+ Personal Trainer.
If she had her chubby little sister doing crunches we all would have been better off!

LOVE YOU KATH








Sunday, September 12, 2010

"Mom, I really want some cool highlights in my hair" says my 8 year old
without hesitation I say, "Ok, cool"
"Mom, are you listening to me?
I say "Yes, dear"
A few bucks and a few hours later and VIOLA a few more REDHEADS live in Florence!
An out of town friend wanted to see the crazy hair crew. NO PROBLEM, I thought to myself.
Well, the next few pictures were the successful ones if that tells you anything. Maybe Friday
afternoon after a long week wasn't the best time.
I heard it all this week about the hair.....

This is what I have to say.....
Yes it is permanent....I was a little rushed at Walmart...meant to get the 2 week rinse out kind.
Yes, it's just for fun.
No, it won't matter in 20 years.
No, this is not a way of branding my kids or keeping track of them.
(although it has helped on the soccer field)
Yes Delaney, your hair will more than likely be back to normal by fourth grade.

Sorry Delaney, I am not a trained professional.
Yes Delaney, I know they aren't REALLY highlights.
Yes Delilah, your wed hairor wooks wheely wheely good and pitty.
Yes, to the old lady who chewed me out at church, I know that GOD gave them beautiful hair.
No, it's not for breast cancer awarness, I should have told the above mentioned Lady it was.
Yes, I would do it to my own hair too!
I have had BLONDE hair, JET BLACK hair, RED hair and ORANGE hair(this color a mistake)

The picture below is my favorite and also a redflag that we needed to get out of the house

before trouble starts. Trust me, I am not a hair dresser but I am a trained MOM.

So I grabbed a gallon of water,
a handful of snacks,
a package of babywipes
and out the door for an adventure.
Nowhere to be!
No homework!
No soccer practice!
No aerobics to teach!
No dinner to prepare!
(in the crockpot already babycakes)

some of the most memorable times spent with my kids are the times
not planned
not exspenive
not timed
not hyped up
not plugged in
JUST LIVING
TALKING
PLAYING
GETTING DIRTY
BEING SILLY
EXPLORING

With freshly pumped up tires on my MAC DADDY stroller and three cute fresh redheads we decide to take a walk. Climbing the new PINE NEEDLES ROAD BRIDGE is the challenge of the day.


Not exactly sure how long the mile and a half walk to the park took.
NO PROBLEM, I thought to myself.
We aren't in a hurry for once this week.
Stopping for shadow puppets fights, investigating ant hills and picking up trash.





No socks and her finest dress getting dirty and wrinkled.
NO PROBLEM, I thought to myself.
Better than hanging perfectly on a silky puffy hanger in her closet.




Curious, disapproving stares from passer-byers as I take pictures of the kids creating
duststorms.NO PROBLEM, I thought to myself. At least they are doing it together and not arguing.





Filthy, dirty figernails.
NO PROBLEM, I thought to myself.
He is getting much more accurate with each dirt clump he throws.

A nice Dad insists I actually get in one of the pictures.
A shame you can't see the RED streak in my hair.

I laugh to myself when I look at this one.
No wonder that Lady at Church freaked out on me.
My two year ROCKSTAR!


Thank you GOD for only one Drexel dimple.
And...the 24/7 slobber problem.
Well, I guess they aren't hightlights at all!
NO PROBLEM, I think to myself, it will grow out
one day.......