Going for a spin

This weekend has given us some fabulous fall weather, and we took full advantage of it.  On Sunday, we took the boys out to Minor Park to see if they would enjoy mountain biking.  I wasn't 100% certain how it would go; when I had asked Noah a couple days earlier if he'd like to try riding his bike on some trails and he told me no.

We haven't been here in nearly two years, but it's a fun place that I used to enjoy coming to quite frequently.  This was the very first place I tried my hand at true mountain biking, and at one time, I lived nearby and used the trails extensively as a great after-work release.  The Blue River trails have something for everyone, with difficulty levels from beginner to expert depending on your tastes.  But even the "beginner" level for a 3- and 6-year old can pose some challenging obstacles.

Initially, I hadn't even planned on taking Elliot's bike along, figuring there would be: a) no way he could keep up on his bike, and b) no way he could keep going the entire way.  Turns out, happily, that I was wrong on both counts.  We took his pedal-less Strider with us, but not Mandy's bike.  Hers is not a trail bike, and we figured Elliot would poop out quickly and they could just walk in the woods.

Noah had no problems at all, and loved the experience.  Elliot kept up on nearly all sections, until the end, but he kept going under his own power until we got back to the car after more than two hours and three miles of biking.  We stopped to throw rocks into the Blue River a couple of times, but Noah always wanted to keep going.  We had lunch about halfway through, then crossed to the other side of the river to head back along some other trails.

Afterwards, we took the boys out for some ice cream and drove by where I used to live and where Mandy's first house was.  She and I both were more tired than the two Energizer bunnies we had with us, but we all had a great time.

First big downhill.

First big uphill

Elliot getting on it.

Keeping up with big brother

Rock break.  This is the same place we stopped and threw rocks two years ago.

They liked exploring the "lakes" they kept seeing from the trail.

Noah found a board that would be perfect for a fort, and was convinced he could take this board back with him on his bike 

Lunch!

Climbing down a steep hill.  One that daddy would have ridden down in his younger years. They couldn't even convince Mom to climb down it.

Exploring

Climbing back up

The last part of the trail on this side peters out into a railroad line.

Just hanging out at the park

Another fun Wednesday

We were blessed with two perfect weather Wednesday's in a row.  I had the kids dressed and out the door by 8:30 to head to the park before it got too hot (it got to 90 degrees that day).  We went to Loose Park to change it up.  Even though it's one of KC's most popular parks and a mile from our house, we rarely go there.  There's no shade on the playground and I think I still have some PTSD from a scare where I was sure Noah was going to jump into the dirty pond when he was two.

We started at the playground, and after about an hour we went on a little hike to the pond.  The kids got such a kick out of the geese and ducks.  We went around the whole pond, stopping for breaks to snack on clementines & string cheese and for the kids to play in a pile of dusty dirt.  Next we headed to the rose garden, which was closed for spraying.  We were bummed, the roses looked so pretty.  Then, we headed back to the playground.  The kids had a lot of fun.  We went home at lunch time for lunch and naptime and then we went for a swim at the Archer's.  

the kids got a kick out of the cute little baby geese

Three park kinda day

Wednesday and Friday are Noah's days off school.  We are busy Friday mornings with gymnastics, but Wednesday we have nothing on our agenda.  I packed the kids up early with snacks and we headed out to a park we hadn't been to in ages.  The boys were excited and told me they wanted to go to lots of parks that day.  

We started out at this gem that has a merry-go-round.  

Then we went to Suicide Hill park where Noah climbed trees, ate unripened tart crab apples and found a robins egg.  Elliot mostly played in the sand box, his current favorite activity, but he was fascinated by the robin's egg.

During Elliot's nap, Noah wanted to draw pictures, but I talked him into doing it outside with me.  He drew this scary shark.

After Elliot's nap we headed out to our 3rd park and Elliot's current favorite on days that Noah is in school.  Noah's latest thing is climbing on TOP of the monkey bars.  It may or may not have ended well the first time, but he's done it dozens since then without incident.

Luckily some friends showed up because Elliot got a cut on his toe (sandy/dirty toe) and I had to take him home to clean and fix him up.  Elliot ended up with two baths that night.  Noah had one.  And I had to scrub the bath the next day.

These kind of days are my favorite kind.  This is the best part of being a stay at home mom, with young kids.  I'll be sad when Noah's in Kindergarten 5 days a week next year and we can't do this on weekdays.

Lazy day

The boys went to Silver Dollar City yesterday with Mandy.  They had a very full day and got home late, so we expected them to be extremely tired today.  Noah's a mess when he's running low on sleep, and he didn't disappoint.  We had to put him back to bed by 10:00 and he slept for over three hours.  The weather cooperated - it was dark, cool and rainy, and there wasn't much to do outside.

After naps, the weather and their moods were both much better, so we went outside to play.  I put a brake on Elliot's little bike while they were sleeping, and I intended to teach him how to use it.  The pedal-less bikes don't come with brakes, and the bike store says that most kids will use their feet to slow and stop themselves.  But they haven't met Elliot, who has crashed a couple of times now due to uncontrolled downhill speed.  We had to buy one of these for Noah's bike too, though more to save money on shoes than to keep that speed demon from crashing.  He literally burned holes in his shoes using them as brakes.

It wasn't a success.  Elliot tried, but only momentarily, and then reverted to the shoe-brake again.

Noah made these at school.  He asked his teacher if he could make another one for his brother.

I have no idea where this came from

Trying the brake out

Comparing war wounds. Noah was showing Elliot some old bike-crash injuries.

This little worm entertained them for quite a while, until they lost it in the grass.

Racing down the church driveway.

Swinging hard.  

Elliot wants so much to do everything his big brother does.

Awwww, playing together.

That didn't last long.  Momentary brotherly spat. 

Signs of Spring

We have been completely maxed out lately in terms of free time, so we've let the blog lag, but we'll catch up soon.

In the meantime, we've been taking advantage of the summer-like spring weather and have been out riding bikes, skating and eating ice cream.  Also getting over ear infections, crashing into stuff and falling down, whining, and working too many hours.

Saturday morning pancakes.  These two can turn anything into a competition.

Do you think he got any of that ice cream into his stomach?

Banzai!!

Swinging on the...whatever those are.

Climbing to great heights!  With an inner ear infection!

Beautiful afternoon

Noah had a playdate after school today, so Elliot and I headed solo out to the park. It was WINDY today, but warm in the 70's. We had a great time. After about an hour we headed to his friends house for some ice cream and more outdoor play in the backyard. By the time we got Noah from his playdate, everyone was hungry and I had such a busy day I literally hadn't been home all day. We headed to Chick-Fil-A for kid's eat free night. When we got home from our day, it was already dark and time for baths and bed.

Me & my goofball

"Mommy!  My hands are gone!  Call 911!"

Can't keep shoes on this kid.  And yes, tetanus shot is current ;)

Noah thought his ice cream beard was funny

Beautiful "Sprinter" day at the park

"The Winter that isn't" continues. Or as one local meteorologist has termed it, "Sprinter". I love it! It was 65 degrees yesterday! As soon as Elliot's nap was over we headed straight for the park. We packed snacks, water and the boys' bikes. Once we got there we realized Elliot's bike had been broken. GASP! (more on that in a separate post coming up). Noah was able to ride his though and they both managed to entertain themselves and have a blast for 3 1/2 hours. Yes, I said 3 1/2 hours. Playing on the playground, running/rolling up and down hills, playing in the dirt piles on the baseball field below, riding bikes (Noah), playing with friends and making new friends. We stayed until it was dark out and everyone was getting hungry. I LOVE days like that. I will miss the freedom to just spend hours playing in the park with no worries about other responsibilities as the kids get older. I long for more of these long days at the park.