State Park Adventure

In an effort to live purposefully, I wanted to go to our local state park. I had never been and thought it was a great time to go seeing that the weather was beautiful today. Aiden loves to get out and he especially loves to be in nature. I decided to do a nature scavenger hunt. Aiden really enjoyed that and got a kick out of making sure we got every thing on the list. This was also Ava's first time to the park and she loves being outdoors as well. We also brought Max. He has been cooped up in the house lately and I knew he would absolutely love this trip.

Being that today was Veteran's Day, it was free for us to get in. It's not much any other day, but I love some free fun. To be honest we had some trouble trying to find the walking path. We kind of just roamed around for about a couple of hours. We didn't get to really "hike" any trails like we wanted to. Plus we were just about the only people there.

The river running through the park is beautiful. It reminds me of the Mississippi creeks I used to frequent with my dad and step mom. The fact that I can see the bottom is even better. As I have gotten older I am definitely not as brave as I used to be. I start thinking about all of the creatures that we know of that could be lurking in the water waiting to get a bite of my toe. I even start imagining some ancient reptile that has never been discovered, and it particularly likes blonde haired humans... I don't know why I do this to myself. In some cases ignorance is in fact bliss.

Anyways, it was a short excursion, but it was fun nevertheless. 

I encourage y'all to get out and about. Look online for activities in your area. Make plans. Write them down, and do them! You're never going to remember how clean your house was, but you will remember those memories you made with your family. I promise that your children will remember; probably even better than you! Aiden said this was the best day ever... until we got home and I told him no more playing games today. 

On another note, I just want to mention how thankful I am to live in a country that is free. It is free because of the many men and women that put their lives in danger to protect us, protect our rights as American citizens. I am grateful that I am married to a man who has served his country to do just that. I am blessed that he came back alive, because I know that many don't.

Field Day!!

Yesterday was Aiden's first field day. He wasn't sure what to expect, but I just knew that he would l o v e it. He's very athletic. He even nicknamed himself "Flash" a couple of years ago.

        

I remember field day. Actually I only remember one field day. I don't remember what grade I was in, but I know I was in elementary school. It makes me wonder, why do I only remember that one? The only distinctive event that happened that day was that my P.E. teacher told me I ran/walked a 13 minute mile, which is NOT good. I didn't know that then. I thought I was the BOMB! Yeah, I just used the word BOMB, whatcha gonna do about it?

Being that I only remember one field day, I do know that Aiden's field day was not like mine at all. On my field day, everyone had a tag with the activities listed on them and spaces for your times and scores. Aiden's grade,,, not a single tag. They were all grouped in with their class and with each activity each child took a turn for the exercise, but it was the class time that mattered. Field day for me was more of an individual sports day.

It was so much fun watching the kids try their hardest. You could see their personalities shine through, and they were just so precious. As Aiden starts each competition, at first I get really excited, and then nervous hoping he doesn't trip, or something crazy like that. As soon as the whistle blows he darts off, and I start yelling, "Go Aiden!!!" My eyes start to well up with tears. I have no idea why they do this, I mean he's just running. I'm weird like that.

After I leave the school and head home with a fussy/tired baby girl, I start comparing the field days in my head. I wonder why it's so different from the one that I remembered. The only idea that I can come up with is that maybe just maybe the school doesn't want any discouragement. Since there was no individual exercises, there's no winner and more importantly, no loser. Loser is just not a good word, period. There is nothing wrong with losing. Kids today NEED to know that. Losing a game or not being as good in a subject does not make them less. Why is it that kids and the kid's parents are so sensitive to this. Of course 

I want Aiden to be great at everything, but being great at everything does not build character. Being great at everything does not make you grow. Making mistakes and not being the best helps our mind adapt to be better. I make sure that I tell Aiden that it's ok if you don't win, just try your best. Life is not a perfect place where we as parents can cushion our children's egos all the time. Believe it or not we are actually doing our kids harm if we shelter them like that. God teaches us to be humble, do not boast, and encourage others. If kids won everything, it would be a lot harder to learn those characteristics. I guess my main point is...balance is key. Too much of anything is no bueno. I don't care who ya are...

Ok, I'm stepping off of my soapbox now...