Sky is Blue, Whatcha Gonna Do?

Oh my goodness, I don't really know what to make of all these gorgeous spring days.  The heat and dry weather brings out my anxieties about global warming and climate change, yet at the same time a shiny sun, fresh air, and birds chirping makes my heart leap with joy.  This weekend has been no exception.

Yesterday we played outside, water plants, rode bikes, and watched Eileen's soccer game.  Dave and the big kids went to a bonfire at a friends house.  Another dad planned it as a way to give moms a night off.  I stayed home with a sleeping Robin, watched a really bad movie, and got a ton of work done and out of the way.

This morning I woke up and knew God would understand if we took a family hike instead of going to church.  We ventured out to Woodinville to the Paradise Valley Conservation Area.  It's great, easy hiking with miles and miles of trails.

Robin hiked for the first part of the trip as well as the last quarter mile.  He played red light, green light with himself.

Of course I did plant identification with the kids.  They are getting pretty good.  Linus wanted to find the "butterfly" plant, aka salmonberry.  When he folded down the top leaf to make a butterfly, he asked Dave if he did it right.  Dave correctly informed him that I was the one to ask, as I am the one who taught daddy.

  Robin preferred thimbleberry, what I like to call "Nature's toilet paper."

 Robin eventually relented and climbed into the Ergo when he got to tired to continue.

We hiked a little over three miles.  Eileen walked the whole way!  Even more amazing was the lack of whining.  Normally, Eileen's legs get too tired after about a quarter mile.  Linus took the trail at a brisk pace.  I had to work to keep up with him. 

 I love this guy.

 

Back on the trail, Robin was kind enough to read the trail interpretation signs for us.  Robin has been watching me teach Eileen to read and likes to mimic the process.

We all had such a great time hiking.  Given how today went, I feel encouraged about the possibility of other hikes.  I'll hopefully go back to Paradise Conservation Area.  There is a lot left for us to explore and it is really only 20 minutes away (with no traffic).

In the afternoon, I watched Linus' football practice and game.  This really meant I sat on the sidelines and read my book.  His team got pummeled, but Linus handled it well.  We finished off the evening with Dave grilling.  I made milkshakes for dessert.

Some days you can't help but think, "Life is good."