I've really been itching to get out of the house and into some nature (lately I've been thinking a lot of how I want a place with more land. We could probably find a cheaper house than where we are now, homestead for real, and not have to leave home to really be outdoors). I decided to head down the street to our favorite spot (it doesn't really have a name). We've been here so many times and I have so many pictures that I'm thinking of making a seasonal album of the place...to see how the landscape changes.
Anyway, I loaded up all four of the kids and we first headed over to the School Supply Store so they could spend the 6$ from their piggy bank on some new rocks. Mirek seems to hate cars and cries most of the time as we drive. I had also planned on going by the dairy farm after our walk, but let's just say that didn't happen.
After quickly purchasing our rocks, we left for our walk. I let the kids play at the playground a bit and then we were off. Everything started out okay. Mirek passed out as soon as he got in the sling.
Eaden's doodle bugs.
And Taven's...not sure his made it out alive.
Up to this point, everything was fine. Then we came to what is my favorite spot, at the highest and least shaded point of our walk. Here the kids started complaining that they were hot.
We had water.
Eaden asked me to pour some on her so I did. Unfortunately, I also poured some on Naia and Taven thinking they needed it and also that they would like it. I was wrong.
Except for Eaden, the crew started dragging...and crying...especially Taven. With Mirek in the sling, I had to just keep going and tell Taven to keep up. He did.
But the trail was a little overgrown so of course there were complaints of itching.
I just kept going as fast as possible with Taven crying and trailing behind me. We made it to the shade.
But it didn't really help things.
He refused to drink water and just kept saying we were going the wrong way.
We made it home though so I guess he was wrong. Looking back I should have given him the compass I had in my bag. Maybe that would have made him happy and assured him we were going the right way. Or maybe he would have just yelled "NO!" and thrown it on the ground. Oh well. At least we got out of the house.
With keeping kids happy ya win some, ya loose some and some times within minutes apart. Also, it sounds and looks like your little man is learing some independence.
ReplyDeleteI think you are brave to even attempt to take 4 kids hiking! Finn always wants to go on a hike, and then complains every time about being hot and tired. Oh well. I think just getting them out there is the important part.
ReplyDeleteOh how familiar that all sounds! Gotta love kids! We also attempted a walk today, though we had the opposite trouble, rain and mud. I had no compass, so took them along what I thought was the path through the woods to the other side, and which was actually the path into the swamp! I literally lost my shoes in the mud, sank up to my calves, and had to drag the kids across. I then had to head back along the way we came, covered in mud, with five very filthy and disgruntled kids, fun huh! We have had soooo many of these "adventures", Lol!
ReplyDeleteI hope once you got home everyone calmed down, and you got to chill out.
On the plus side, your pics are great, I especially like the one of Taven lying on the ground, aren't boys drama queens!
now that is funny...looking back.
Deleteoh dear, well at least you tried to get them outside. That counts.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a gorgeous place! Wish we had somewhere like that to go around here! Sounds like you had your hand full though. It's tough with little ones...i only have two and I'm not sure I would attempt a hike like that without hubby. Kudos to you:)
ReplyDeletewell cheers to trying, practice makes perfect. Our kids are great walkers and I'm sure plenty of exposure to it helps. Snacks are also good, for those lying down moments - just around the corner and we'll have some strawberries. Your kids are so darned cute, even in full swing tantrum.
ReplyDeleteah how i can relate mama! most days tanner dives full swing into our nature walks. but on those days that he decides a little while into the walk that he needs to go full fledge whiner... yeah it's tough, especially with your arms full with a little one! i found i had to start from scratch when noah arrived, just kind of hang out in a small area in the woods. good for you for getting everyone out there, that's a huge success to me!
ReplyDeleteOh goodness! I can relate to that post so much! You just have to keep on going, huh? Like Kirsty said, it's all about snacks. And as you pointed out, things to focus on, like compasses or we get them to pick a stick to lean on... Good on you for getting them all there in the end. Thanks for joining in this week. xx
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