Birthday Hike

This morning, as I was getting out of the shower, Espi and Hanna had been talking and had an idea to share for me. "Would you like to get a hike in for your birthday?" They know me well; hiking is one of my favorites. Espi said that it is suppose to be a beautiful day (and not knowing what early October will look like on my birthday); we could get an early birthday hike in today!

So we went to 8:00 church service. Then I taught 9:30 Sunday School to a nice herd of first and second graders. Lunch was whipped up at home before we headed for the mountains around 11:45 a.m. Being nearly 32 weeks pregnant, I was thinking flat, shady, easy walking sounded perfect. We drove up to Lair O' the Bear, a favorite family hiking park in Jefferson County Open Space, just past Morrison several miles deeper into the mountains.

Some of the highlights of our short hike (about 2.5 miles round-trip) were watching the creek run along side us the whole way, crossing a shallow stream over stepping stones, crossing a larger portion of the creek by bridge, and finally reaching an old, renovated castle.

The girls did great (especially, considering they both have little colds; Hanna's tender little nose shows in the pictures). Hanna took weight off her feet and added more to "Daddy's" here and there, but usually wanted to set the pace and stay in the lead (and by no means were my belly and I in any hurry!) Raya stayed in the stroller most of the time until we got to a small stretch at the end. Then she tore it up with her sister by her side.

It was a beautiful way to spend this beautiful day, upper 70s and sunny with some fall colors showing. And anytime they choose to spread out my birthday fun, I will be more than willing!

In Case You Didn't Know

This is what Hanna, Espi, and our home look like (through Hanna's eyes right now).

Pooch

She asks to dance when music is playing.
She "sings" when music isn't.
And we know she has a thing for books these days.
She is proving to like to make a mix of silly faces with anyone who will join in.
Her favorite face of the summer is the "pooch."

15

I rarely have the time, I rarely take the time to exhaust our children's interests.

But yesterday I did.

After a long morning out of the house, I was picking up and cleaning in the kitchen, when Raya walked up to me with a book.
Sure!
So I step out of the kitchen, and we sit down on the floor and read.

When we finish, I look at her, and she nods.

"Would you like to read another book?" She nods again. "OK!" And she gets up, waddles down the hallway to her room, and comes out with another book. She hands it to me, sits close, and we read.
After that book, she looks at me and waits. "Would you like to read another book?" She nods. "OK!" Up she goes again down the hallway and out she comes again with a new book.

By this time, I am wondering how long this will last and think to myself, "We have time; let's see!" So it continues for awhile, sometimes waddling back with one book; sometimes each hand is full.
Her pile of books next to me slowly gets taller.

After a bit, while she is waddling away for more, I decide to count the pile she has created.

7.

Next time 12.

I am impressed and amused.

My favorite is just watching this somewhat-new, little walker eagerly toddle down and back, down and back.

Finally, it happens!

"Do you want to read another?"

She shakes her head, then simply grabs a handy book and passes it to me. "Do you want to read this again?"

She nods.

So several books are asked to be repeated, before she loses interest altogether.

The final count--you guessed it.

15.