First Family Hike

Dear Em,
We woke up on Saturday morning with no early plans for the first time in a long time. We leisurely snuggled & watched cartoons in bed for a while before enjoying breakfast at Daddy's restaurant. I would have relished a whole morning spent at home, just the three us us, but I'm also very aware that "winter is coming." We had our first flurry last week. Our time outdoors in the sun is limited. So, I suggested a family hike to take advantage of what was a beautiful day.

This was our first family hike. I'm kind of embarrassed that you're almost five, & this was our first family hike. Daddy & I love hiking. Our favorite spot is just 15 minutes away from our house, but I think it's much too challenging for you at your age. Even on a trail that isn't at all challenging, Daddy & I worry about you hiking. The thing is, you have trouble walking. You just have a really hard time watching where you are going. You're too busy looking at everything else...& walking into walls & tables & doors. Daddy & I were nervous about taking you on your first family hike, but at the age of almost five, it was time to bite the bullet.

We went to the Francis Carter Memorial Preserve in Charlestown, just down the road from where we live. Daddy & I had hiked its trails once before you were born, & it's a fairly easy spot. You were very excited & began the hike with enthusiasm. "Let's go, hikers! You can do it! Come on, hikers!" You cheered us on as we started the hike. It was incredibly adorable.

The trails were covered in leaves, making it sometimes hard to see the path. You had no clue where the paths actually were & often walked through small brush & sticks. Daddy & I encouraged you to identifying the trail by looking for where the path was cleared, you know, the areas that aren't filled with brush & sticks. We also taught you how to look for the trail markers. You continued to frequently make your own trail, but you did well for the most part.

Although it was your first family hike, you developed in your role very quickly. "I'm the Scout Leader," you very solemnly announced to us. You went from novice hiker to Scout Leader in less than 15 minutes. Soon, our Scout Leader (& you referred to yourself in the third person as "Scout Leader" for the rest of the hike) became very cautious about danger. You let us know that we were hiking deep into "Danger Forest." You stopped us approximately every 35 seconds so you could stand on rocks to "check for danger." The trail seemed quiet & pretty enough to me, but you very seriously told us we were heading towards...gasp...danger.

Just as we expected, you fell down quite a few times. I worried each time that we would be rushing you to the hospital with broken bones, but after each fall you bounced back up with an "I'm okay" to put my worried face at ease. You actually hiked well, scaring any possible wildlife away with your loud chatter. Your excitement over the hike & your vivid imagination put a smile on my face the whole hike.

In between numerous stops for danger checks & small rock climbs, we hiked almost a mile along the yellow trail. You were disappointed when we announced that it was time to turn back. You wanted to hike the blue trail & find purple & pink & gold trails. You were enjoying your role as Scout Leader & wanted to discover more of the "dangerous" trail. I held your hand on the way back, hoping we could pick up our pace a little & minimize the stops to check for danger. You enjoyed hiking hand in hand with me & decided you were ready to share your scout leader role. You gave Daddy the title of Mini Scout Leader & myself the title of Scout Leader. You joyfully announced that we were Scout Trooplets.

By the end, you were reciting troop mantras/prayers you had made up. You made me repeat after you. "Scout Leader Trooplets always pray their hay & thank God for this wonderful world. Amen." Your little legs were tiring as we made our way back to our car, but you fiercely told me "Scout Leaders never give up."

"I think we need to enroll her in girl scouts," Daddy smiled. I feel as though in an hour you made your very own scout organization. I'm so thrilled you enjoyed our first family hike so much, & that hiking is something we can now share together as a family. I've always loved hiking, but hiking with you will puts an even bigger smile in my heart.

I love you so,
Mommy

Throwback Thursday: Boston Museum of Science

Dear Em,
One of the things I love most about Rhode Island, is it is situated in the middle of two of our country's biggest cities, NYC & Boston. In just a couple hours, we can reach either mecca of culture & activities. You were less than six months old the first time you went to Boston, mine & Daddy's favorite city.

Your Aunt Jennie & I took you on the subway & on a small tour of Boston that ended at the Museum of Science. We had to pack 35,000 baby items. In fact, we needed a stroller, back pack, & Baby Bjorn just to carry it all. Getting it all through the subway was quite the challenge, but I couldn't wait to take you to one of my favorite museums. Except, you were much too young to understand or take part in most of the exhibits. Still, Jennie & I loved spending an active day with you & you slept soundly all the way home. We all slept soundly once we got home.

We went back a couple years later. You were older & able to take in & interact a lot more. Still, you were a toddler who needed daily naps. Unfortunately, the Museum of Science doesn't have a nap area (I'm joking...kind of). By the end, you were in major meltdown mode & we vowed to never skip your naps ever again (although, we continued to make the mistake of skipping naps & then paid for it more times than I like to remember).

When your Uncle Jared mentioned he had never been to the Boston Museum of Science, I knew we had to squeeze in a trip this Fall. Luckily, the Patriots were on a bye this past Sunday. You & Jared watched movies in the DVD player while we drove into the city. We skipped the subway this time & conveniently parked in a garage located right next to the museum. 

One of the many benefits of having a Roger Williams Zoo membership, is it also provides us with a membership to the Boston Museum of Science. Our admission was totally free. Instead, we splurged on  a show in the five story IMAX dome screen.

As we walked into the museum, I noticed families leaving with small children that were throwing themselves on the floor tantruming. I remember breathing a sigh of relief that we really didn't need to worry about that anymore. You are a perfect age for the Museum of Science. It's a place where learning & discovery & fun all come together for the old & the young. You loved exploring each exhibit. We were able to talk to you about why & how certain things worked. The interactive exhibits were our favorites, & the Museum has added so many new ones throughout the years.

In four hours, we had gone through so many educational exhibits, taking breaks to eat & enjoy the IMAX documentary about pandas (we're kind of obsessed with pandas now). It was a lot of walking & learning & fun & discovery for a little four & a half year old. You started to get a little snippy, & we could sense our time was running short. We took you to the interactive play area. There is a track for running, an area for spinning, a beach ball to hover, swings for swinging, & a sea-saw to balance on. Jared put you on the spinning contraption & spun you so hard, you spun right off. At that point, we reached nuclear melt down mode. I had to laugh at myself as I escorted my crying child out of the Museum, just like the parents who were escorting their tantruming children as we arrived. So much for not having to worry about that.

Meltdowns & all, we had such a fun family day. I'm so glad this museum has gotten to be a part of your childhood (at such an affordable price) & hope we will continue to learn & discover & explore in the years to come. Although...I could live without the Museum of Science meltdowns.

I love you so,

Mommy

spectacular adventures

Dear Em,

Little girl, you even make raking the leaves a spectacular adventure.

Looking at the world through your eyes is one of my life's greatest joys.

To you, they're not just scattered leaves in a yard. They're a multicolored playground & infinite smiles. Our front yard doesn't just hold a walkway, it holds a canvas for your art. There's an afternoon of fun just waiting to be had in the ordinary of our front yard. I love that you see that. I hope you always will.

I love you so,

Mommy

Orange Slices & Soccer Balls

You chose #7, because your best friend S is 7.

Dear Em,
I can't believe another soccer season has already come to an end. We were so blessed this year. You had the most incredible coach. He was so positive & encouraging. At each break in action, he always took a moment to highlight the good that each player had done. His hand was always outstretched for a high five.

You had a small team of only five players (of which you were the youngest), but you guys were great. You got along really well, encouraged each other, & worked together. Daddy & I really enjoyed watching you all while we got to know other families from our community.

As for you, you had fun & that's what is truly important. We're pretty positive we will not be seeing you play soccer in the Olympics & probably not even in high school. While you ran all over the field, you mostly ran after your teammates, smiling as you went along. You had a few breakaway moments, but you mostly avoided the ball completely. In fact, quite a few times it landed right in front of you & you jumped away from it.

It was perplexing for Daddy & I to watch. When you practice with us in the yard, you are aggressive at taking the ball away from us & maneuvering it toward your goal. When you play on a field with your peers, your competitive nature disappears. You're mostly happy to be running around alongside your team & eating orange slices on the sidelines.

While you didn't make much contact with the soccer ball at age 4, we're happy with what we did gain from soccer this year. We got to spend time outside during the most beautiful time of year in New England. We got to spend time as a family, & because we got up & out before we normally would have, we were able to fit in other fun adventures (like the Umbrella Factory). You got to learn more about being on a team, & I think there are important lessons in that for an only child. You also got to spend time playing with other kids from our community. Daddy & I work & you go to school outside of our community. I can't tell you how nice it was to meet kids (& their families) that are going to the school you will be going to next year. It makes my heart happy that you will know a few adorable friends already when you enter the halls of your elementary school for the very first time.

We're hoping to try soccer again next year, but not because we're hoping to mold you into a soccer star (although, we're kind of hoping you won't be afraid of the ball next year). As long as you continue to go out onto the field & try your best, as long as you continue to make friends, as long as you are smiling, as long as you're still having fun...well, then you'll see Daddy & I on the sidelines cheering you on.

I love you so,
Mommy

P.S. Also see the end of soccer last year.