Thirteen Walks. The third

Another one of those weeks when we could barely fit it in. J-L was gone for the majority of the week so it was doubly sweet having Friday evening together as a family. This week took us to Sage Creek.

And yes, there is a pond there. And pond means there must be rocks that can be thrown in said pond. This was Jack's face every time his dad was able to make the long throw to the pond.

Some "jump me, mom and dad!".

A little bit of piggy back.

 And, Abby had some time sitting by the pond and some interview questions for her parents. What we wanted to be when we grew up. Who our teachers were through the years. What we liked to do outside when we were little. And for every question one of us would win. I have no idea what the deciding factor was but I do think in the final end I came out ahead. Although, J-L was a little miffed when I won with one of my teachers: "But, my teacher was a NUN! A NUN!!" I think after reconsideration he took that one. 

Thirteen Walks: Two

Walk two had to be on Friday this week. Just barely squeaked it in.

 The evening took us to the free Jazz Fest activities in Old Market Square.

The kids got free West Jet tattoos.

I get the feeling most walks will include some rock collecting for Jack and some dancing or gymnastics for Abby.

And a race. Poor thing with his wee legs. 

not a bad way to spend a wednesday evening in june

Thirteen Walks: The First

About a month ago my husband and I were talking and we thought (okay, *I* thought and he agreed) it would be fun to go for walks in various areas of the city over the summer. We already go for a fair number of walks but those are mostly around our house. Our city has stepped up in recent years in the number of greenspaces and walk/bikeways. And so, we are off to enjoy them. A walk per week for the next 13 weeks. We'll drive to different areas of the city* and enjoy some time together in areas that are new to us.

First stop, Henteleff Park, not too far from our place.

Next week's goal: Perhaps a PAVED area. Too many rocks for this little boy. 

Rocks AND a river? A match made in heaven for our boy. Don't worry, no animals were hurt in the process.

Many rounds of "What Am I?" were played. Apparently J-L thinks a lot about maraschino cherries.

ccap: Well, a lot less chance of passing germs with that type of hand-holding.

J-L: Yeah, but more risk of dutch elm disease.

* A couple of them might be in other cities or towns.



travel

We're planning a trip this summer. I've ordered some travel books and they are starting to arrive at our door. This morning Abby was paging through one and came across a photo that looked interesting to her.

"Mom, can we go there?"

Oh, honey, if I can make it so, I will. There's barely anything I want more* than to have a child who wants to see the world.

* Yes, even more than having a child who loves movies.

scent

One of my favorite things is how closely connected to memory the sense of smell is. I can be out for a walk on a late summer afternoon and I will be instantly transported to a particular street in Alba Iulia, Romania. I can't even name the smell but there I am. Or, on a cool early morning I can be outside and smell something that takes me back to summer camp at Jubilee.

This morning it was my new coffee mug. I (finally, after spilling on my desk twice last week) bought one of those spillproof mugs from Costco. I opened it to add some new coffee to it and the combination of metal and hot coffee took me back to helping my father pack his lunch for the auction mart and that silver thermos with the broken handle.

I think I like my new mug.