Hovering

So I have been rolling this post around in my head for several days because I can't come up with the words to make it flow. I have started several times, but gotten nowhere fast. We went to Lake Laura over the weekend to enjoy some quiet family time. It was pretty darn serene. Peaceful with a side of squealing kids.



Yes, I am fully aware that these are the ugliest "ko-nails" ever.

 It was also strange how every one's conversations echoed just so that you could hear everyone with perfect clarity. I over heard two ladies chatting about the involvement people have in their children's lives. Well, really it was one lady, and the other was just listening.

The main talker was saying that people are too involved in their children's lives, they are too overbearing. That parents no longer allow their children to learn and grow for themselves. I was with her at this point.

Then she went too far. She said that it is just too much when parents get involved and become classroom moms, and volunteer coaches and Sunday school teachers. She hit a nerve, we are all of those things to our kids.

These days I believe that you need to build a firm foundation of closeness and togetherness when we are truly less connected then ever. It has become all too easy to connect with one another through facebook, texts, e-mail. Some would argue that this has connected everyone more. And yes, it has helped me reconnect with some friends from High School, but does it really help me connect with my family? I don't think so.

Even baby took a nap.

I believe family connections are made in the fun and the tough moments. I can remember a camping trip from before Brandon and I were engaged that we made with my mom and sisters like it was yesterday. We look back at that trip and still laugh like crazy because it was so hot and miserable and the mosquitos were lethal. We talk about that trip all the time though. We all learned something about ourselves and each other that week.

I believe that kids need a strong sense of connection to their parents in this age so that they feel safe and that there is trust at home. I want my kids to come to me and know that no matter what has happened I am going to be there for them helping them grow and learn from whatever it is.

This woman continued to say how parents hover too much, and don't give their kids space. I agree that kids do need to have space to make mistakes to learn from, but they also need a strong base to return to when things go awry. At this point I looked over to see who thought we should all have her opinion and lets just say that between her cigarettes and dyed maroon hair she probably just doesn't have the time to be very involved.

So I picked up my little and went down to my big boys and hoovered for her benefit. So there.

Lets Go, Go, Go, On an adventure...

Ever watch Cat and the Hat on PBS? If so you now have the song stuck in your head for the rest of this glorious day! Brandon does this to me at least twice a week, and I go around all day humming it. Next time you see me, ask and I will sing the whole thing for you!

I love this, it looks like they are in cahoots.

We have been here, there and everywhere the past couple weeks. We started with a whirlwind trip to Richmond to visit our new grown-up Aunt B. She is now a working woman, and we hardly get to talk anymore. I miss her, so we picked up and invaded her house for two days. It was the busiest two days though.

We exhausted ourselves with a trip to Maymont Park. It is a must see for little kids, we will have to go back when it is a little cooler and I have another set of hands.

This kid can find a great stick anywhere.

"This is my greatest stick, Mommy."

The fast shoes

We wined (they should offer it) and dined at Chuck E. Cheese. It is one of those things parents should let their children do once. And once is more than enough to last a lifetime.

We hit up their Children's Museum. It was an over sized version of ours. Still fun, but didn't accomplish the sleep I was hoping for on the drive home.

He is my little trooper.

I don't understand the draw to these, but all kid's museums have them.

He was kind enough to get me some coffee.

Obviously apple picking was very serious business.

Then we made a new record time of taking four hours to drive 143 miles that should have taken more like two hours.

Six days later we hit the road again for my annual family reunion with my sisters and mom. We all do our best to go to the Kenny Chesney concert every year at Virginia Beach. One of us was missing in San Diego this year, but we picked up a new little four year old that went like gang busters until Kenny hit the stage.

We stayed in our usual campground in the usual pop-up, and discovered lots of new fish in the canal surrounding us this year.

Preston has a new love for kayaks and the ocean. He defeated every wave that our arms would hold him up to kick and make bubbly.  He even caught a few on the boogie boards. Yay, I have a beach bum!

We topped off the beach trip with Croup and a very long night. Thank goodness for extremely helpful Walgreen's pharmacists, that will offer to let you hold your child's face in front of a freezer to help open his airways.

As I type this after the busiest week of the summer I have a three month and one day old babe snoozing at my feet in his boppy pillow. It is good to be home. This week will be our last before the last year of preschool, and I want to be still in our home, but at the same time I want to soak up the last week.

5Ks are not to be taken lightly

So I ran a 5K six weeks post partum after not having run for the previous 10 months. It was bad. Terrible. Everytime I ran, milk would flow. I was busting and in terrible pain. I ended up limping over the finish line holding some rather large boobs. I felt like a boob, too, though. I had good intentions of finding time to run after having Grant.  Two kids has rocked my world like I hadn't imagined. Six weeks later, I still haven't found time to run. It makes me sad, it is my sanity saver after long days. Maybe once I am done nursing there will be time for evening runs that I love so much.

Anyway, I am talking about this race six weeks later because I wanted to share this picture. It is one of the reasons I don't leave home without my camera. You never know when you will need to take a picture. Enjoy.