Today was our day

Today was Saturday. I ended up having just one of the kids with me and we decided to make it his day. You know how it is when it is just you and one child. No distractions, no arguing; the day is just amazing. Well, we made it more so.


There is a "hike" that I do at one of our local parks. It is about 1 1/2 mile up to the top and mostly uphill. Once you reach the top it is an amazing view , you can see for miles. So I did the only right thing one could do, I dragged him along with me. "Are you doing ok? " he asked, "you seem to be breathing hard". I was fine, though a little winded. He, on the other hand was having quite an easy time. He was so proud of himself for running part of the way. Along the way the die-hard runners were passing us and he was sure he could challenge them to a race as well. I am always amazed at the self confidence and assurance this one of mine has...where did that come from? We reached the top, explored a little, chased lizards and then it was the easy part: DOWN. On the way down, he decided what we were doing next - rockclimbing

But I had to do it too. What could I say? So off we went to the indoor rock climbing gym. I must admit it was so much fun, but more so that we were sharing something like this together. I love watching him grow into such a kind and compassionate young man; he was so concerned that I enjoy myself too. I felt encouraged as I reached the top and was afraid to repel down (you never know if that auto rope is going to let you crash) and he would just say "come on - you can do it! let go" . By the end of the afternoon I was not such a novice!! He took me to lunch and we had a wonderful time just wandering around downtown. Of course, we had to go back to the gym and do just a couple more climbs. Tired and sore, we were ready to head home. We got everyone back, finished dinner and settled in for the night. As everyone said goodnight, I said for him to go up to bed too. His sleepy response "our day is not over yet" and I thought I wish it could just start over again. What an awesome way to end our Saturday.

Writers Beach Block

When I started surfing around the blogging world, I wondered what in the world would I write about? These blogs I come across are wonderful, interesting etc. I am not a writer and who would really be interested in anything that is going on in my day, I thought? Well, my mom ( who is one of my best friends) said just write what you know. She is an amazingly creative being who truly believes in any creative expression as a way to figure things out. Call it cathartic, therapeutic, whatever: it usually works. What do I know? I am not sure, but I do think that this is a great place to figure it out . So here I go...

Sandy Flip Flops? The beach. My closest friends usually figure if they can't get me on my cell phone, I am probably at the beach. Looking forward to that salty smell as soon as you are close enough to roll down your windows and feel if the air is cool. The excitement when you finally get there. You know, when you find that perfect place on the vast beach before you , just close enough to the water to hear the crashing waves and feel a little mist. You lay out the familiar "beach blanket" and set up the umbrella, position the cooler close enough to get to the licorice and settle into your chair. "Don't get sand on the blanket " you call out to the kids. "See all that space next to me?? Lay your towels there!!" And so you settle in to watch the sun dance on the water and listen to the music of the surf. Your flip-flops get covered with sand and your world is perfect.