Columbus Day Fun

I considered another field trip like last year, but it was just too much for this year.  And the kids had dentist appts mid afternoon so it would have been a rush to get back. 
But we had such a great day.  It was great to have nice weather to be outside a lot.  
We did a little school review then headed out for bike rides around the neighborhood.  It was my first time to go with them again since the baby came.  He can ride in an umbrella stroller now.  It felt good, I felt good and it was nice to do something active with the kids again. :)  And wow, now we are in a real neighborhood and the kids are so confident on their bikes.  It was great!

I loved the chance to chat with them as we went on our way.  Lily blew a weed she found to make a wish, and told me that she wished she "didn't have a sin" and "didn't disobey", which was really helpful for me to see and know because she has been hard lately (I am hard too!).  It was sweet to have that little glimpse into her heart.  God is so faithful to show me these things.  The mouths of my babies who I usually think I am in battle with, break me.  So helpful.  Another day last week, I am struggling with being frustrated with them.  And Lily starts singing, "Lord, do not be far from me.  Come quickly to help me."  It's a song they sing at church, psalm 71:12 (love it, bless the kind lady who teaches them).  And just such a good reminder- we are all the same, struggling with sin and our attitudes.

We had to strip down a little.  It got hot!

 The kids liked this one larger cul de sac that they rode around over and over.  It has a few small puddles so they called it the "water park".

 We came back and played in the yard.  Mike was flagging our sprinkler system and they ran in to get suits on and just played and had the best time together.  I mean childhood, its so great!  They were covered in grass and laughter.

This guy started this a few weeks ago.  I'd forgotten about it!  The open mouth kisses!  Oh, my heart! 

 The kids were pooped from biking and running around outside, so we bathed and had room time.  They both fell fast asleep and had the hardest time waking up for the dentist. So sweet.

 I SEE YOU WHILE I'M SLEEPING, UNCLE WILL!!  

My bro slept/sleeps with his eyes open- Lily inherited his skillz. ;)

 And fun play time with Daddy last eve! We played the guitar and did airplanes.  

It is pretty fun to see the big kids love on & enjoy Benjamin.

 

"Special Drink" / Special Day

Pete woke us up this morning by telling us he had made everyone a "special drink".

It had bananas, Cheerios, marshmallows, water and milk.  He'd also set the table for everyone with their drink in a mug and a spoon beside it.  Sweet boy.

Doesn't that look appetizing?!

 Daddy and Peter went log walking.

The kids rode their bikes to and from a nearby park (with Daddy)!

Getting Outside!

We've loved the warmer days this week.  Its always nice when they line up with days that our schedule is more free!  We went to a park and then rode bikes.

 Handsome Boy.  

Its the last days or weeks of those little front baby teeth. l

The ground was still so wet mid week so he did a lot of mud riding through this puddle.

It was sooo good to be outside in the sunshine this weekend too!

I found them playing this little game.  :)

And this afternoon... a game of Mr Shark, Mr Shark.

Preschool Sunshine

Lily and I stayed after preschool one day so that she could ride her bike.  She said after school that she didn't want to just go home and I didn't esp want to either, so we played in the sunshine.  Which is always welcome in December!

 She's been more hesitant to embrace the bigger bike, which makes sense b/c she is significantly higher off the ground than Peter on the same size bike.  But this day to practice on her own, I think boosted her confidence.  

 Every now and then she'd tell me she wanted to rest and she'd sit for a few seconds then get up and go at it again.  :)  So cute!  I told her she looks like a little Christmas elf in this outfit.

This school year with her is interesting and feels different than previous years.  She definitely feels "older" and no longer my sweet little doll of a girl.  Still such a sweetie but she has more of her own ideas and plans.  And she is so very capable (except when it comes time to clean up or put away).  Her spirit feels more independent from mine, no longer just my side kick.  Which is bittersweet but seems natural and I know is part of growing up.  I find that I have to make a more conscious effort to lay aside my plans and engage with her.  Which I'm not great at.  But thankful for this sweet afternoon with her.

Bike Pics

Couldn't not include these of my cute bikers :)

Love his face ;)

Love her excited face too!

 Team Work to get their bikes up the hill.

And a little fun on the playground before we left. :)

 

 This girl could spend hours on a swing.  

Bike Riders!!

We've been meaning to take Peter's training wheels off for a few months.

Esp after this ride, I thought he may be ready.

And this weekend, Mike found Lily a bike with pedals at a yard sale for $5.

So we went out on an endeavor to attempt just two wheels.  

I think we were only half convinced it may happen.

Friends had told us to try this park.  I thought it seemed too hard to pedal on the grass.  

But it does cushion a fall.  We were sorta learning as we went.

After a few times across on the grass, Peter had it!!

This video is sorta quiet in concentration (except my weird blurt at the end), 

but there were so many cheers the rest of the rides!!

They were starting to get bored with the flat area and wanted to go to the playground part, so Mike enticed them with the hill.  Which sorta worried me.  But they did SO well!!  YAY!!!

I love Peter's excitement!

And sweet Peter cheering for his sis... sweet boy!!

We kept talking all night about how excited we are for them!!

Moving On Up

... to the bike trails!!!  It was such a beautiful day!

We finished up our "work" this morning in time to do something else & since we've been working hard at biking but are now tired of our parking lot, I thought it would be fun to find a bike trail.  We first stopped off at this playground, also at the park we were trying out.

 Then we hit the trails.  I wasn't totally sure what it would be like, but it was PERFECT!!

We will definitely be going back!!  Its fun to think about entering this new season of being able to really ride bikes!!

By the time my kids learn to ride bikes, 

I'll be able to share all the pros and cons of a balance bike vs traditional bike.  ;)

 We looped around the biggest lake and stopped off at this pier. 

I couldn't stop emailing pics to Mike b/c it was just all so beautiful. 

I tried to get them to do a jumping pic but only Lily would participate.  :(

 Back to the trails... 

I enjoyed it as much as they did!

Then we stopped in at the nature center. :) 

I'd bought pretzels, raisins, and Capri Sun waters the day before (that were still in the van) so we were able to have a make-shift lunch that carried us over into the afternoon.  

It was good for our souls to be in the glory of a sunny fall day :)

The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1