I enjoyed the article Jerry. Very interesting. I read it with great interest because your first born seems to be having issues with his stomach these days. I also enjoyed reading about your walks. That sounds lovely. Before the twins, I walked along there with Eddie (in a stroller) a couple of times. Those are some pretty steep hills. Good for you!

I've noticed hints of fall as well. Last Saturday Sam and I went for a bike ride. It was a single track on a pioneer trail near Little Dell resevoir. The air was cool, the flowers were beautiful, it was a blast! We've since wondered why we usually pick going to the movies over this. So we are going to try to make it a standing appointment, to do something outside once a week.

I was determined to keep this vow and suggested we go "hike" to Donut Falls for family night.
We put on our jackets (it was lightly raining) and set out. Ada wasn't feeling too well.

Earlier that day Jackie got to the kid vitamins and learned how to press down and twist. I was downstairs at the time. Sometime afterwards he came down stairs as chipper as can be. He walked past me with a smile on his face. I noticed that he smelled like grape. "What are you eating?" I asked. "Bite-amins!" He replied with great pride, and opened his mouth revealing the gritty remains. Of course I panicked, which I'm sure is quite rewarding to observe as a child. "Oh no no no no, that's bad for you Jackie!" And I bolted up the stairs.

Looking frantically this way and that for the bottle, I see Ada. She's plopped down in front of the TV watching something on PBS. She's got the giant bottle nestled in her lap. Without taking her eyes of the television and without stopping to swallow her last pill, she pops another vitamin into her mouth like it's popcorn. I snatched the bottle and began to explain why she shouldn't eat these like candy. I'm sure it all sounded like high pitched rambling to her. If you've heard my bird do it, you know what I'm talking about.

So fast forward to family night. We're at the trailhead. It's lightly drizzling and so everything smells wonderful. Ada is slower than everyone anyway and is really struggling over the rocks. That doesn't surprise me so much and usually she's pretty patient with herself. Not on this hike however. She complained EVERY step of the way. Step, moan. Step "Hold Me". Step grumble. Step, whine. A couple of times I carried her so that I could catch up to the boys and she complained when I carried her. I decided that I would not have a child who didn't enjoy this sort of thing. Not only would she have to walk the rest of the way, but I decided I would bring her back later in the week and every week until she toughened up a bit. About 2/3 of the way there, I looked back and noticed that she was doubled over, clutching here tummy. "Owwww, my stomach!" she said.

And then I remembered the vitamins. She looked pale and sick. I realized why she was complaining so much and then the guilt sank in. I carried her and trying to show more compassion (the complaining was hard to bear). We made it to the falls just in time to turn around and head home. Ada claimed to have fun in spite of it all. The boys had a blast. Jack probably traveled twice the distance because he liked to rush ahead of the group. Then he had to run back and check on Ada often to make sure she was okay and still with us. It's sweet how often they think of eachother.

That's how the week started. It's been ladled with doctor's appointments, dentist appointments and other errands. All in all, it's a good life. Each day as I kiss them while they sleep, I realize that my children are my joy and sunshine.

It's fun to have Katie here. She's so fun to hang out with, I miss her often.