Maps

^^^ I am sort of obsessed with this giant tree on the trail behind our house^^

Sometime last week before going on our walk Bear insisted we needed a map. Out came the markers and paper and he explained in detail all that we had to see. There was some impossible attractions named, but ducks were part of the must sees listed so that is what we did.

They chased the ducks, collected rocks and attempted to climb trees. Oh, toddler boyhood there are some parts of you I just love.

Punchbowl Falls

We went for a hike at Punchbowl Falls earlier this week. We strapped our boys on our backs and off we went. Every time we do this I always think "why don't we do this more?". I forget how much I love being outdoors.

When we arrived at the fall we were a little disappointed  Here's the thing about Punchbowl that we failed to find online. In order to see the waterfall you either have to hike up and look at it from above or you actually have to walk into the river to see it. The water was low but we didn't bring any waterproof shoes so we settled with tossing rocks in the river and enjoying our time anyway. It was beautiful.

We let the boys play for a while before heading back. They were both troopers and seemed to enjoy their time as much as we did. We are already planning our next hike. I really hope we make this a habit.

Painting Outside

Earlier in the week we took our painting supplies outside. We have a ton of shasta daisies in our front yard that the boys are always curious about so I cut a few off to use as our tools.  

How it played itself out: That lasted about two seconds. W tried to eat one and the texture freaked him out. B likes dipping his flower in the water and attempted a few strokes with it but decided to go with a more traditional tool and use a brush. W mainly enjoyed getting his hands dirty and chewing on the brush handle. That combination resulted in more paint on his face than the paper. B painted for a while and like ALL our other projects he manages to find a truck lying around (some kids have stuffed animals that they take everywhere B has trucks) and started painting it. 

I have to admit that there was a moment of frustrations when I was thinking "this is not what we were SUPPOSE to do".  These little boys have taught me that it is hardly ever going to go as planned. Taking that moment to refocus my intention on the process rather than the result is becoming a trained habit. Learning to let go and have a hands off approach isn't always easy for me but it can be so worth it. 

Mud pool

dumping out all the water

What kid doesn't like getting dirty? Although I know there are some that don't, most do.  B is no exception. Like most kids it is usually in the most inopportune times, like when we are about to leave and I am putting W in the car and B starts playing with dirt in our front yard in his nice clothes. It drives me a little crazy.

My MIL and I were talking today about letting kids be kids/ letting boys be boys. I don't want my kids to ever think getting dirty or exploring nature is wrong, but there are better times to do so. With that in mind I decided to make this little boys day and let him get dirty! 

I set up up his inflatable pool, threw in some dirt and a bucket of water and let him go to town! I also gave him some funnels, shovels and a dump truck for good measure. He enjoyed his piggy behavior for  most of the afternoon although W wanted nothing to do with it and enjoyed spending  time indoors with Papi. I had a great time watching him splash and play. He kept on looking at me as to see if this was okay or if I was going to stop him. Not today little man, today we get dirty. 

This post is part of the Two in Diapers Mommy Brain Mixer

Park Olympics

the 0.5 meter dash. Look at that speed, the camera couldn't even capture it.

B's take on the Javelin throw

Fencing, W was born a natural

Relay race 

taking a break on the sidelines 

In honor of the summer Olympics we had our very own park Olympics. All with a little imagination and a few sticks :). I always love that children find so much joy in simple everyday day things. We ditched the spandex and added hats to our uniforms. We could not have asked for better weather for our events.

We enjoyed our day off with Papi after what felt like a very long stretch of all work and no play. It was much needed and getting out and getting some fresh air felt rejuvenating. Nothing like starting your week with some family time.

Silver Falls

 

one of my new favorites

he loves to "fly"

Over the weekend  our friends from CA took a road  trip up to WA which meant we got to play catch up and spend a little time with them. There was a lot of laughs, a lot of admiring of our little ones who are starting to be not so little and some always fun baby talk since she is 20ish week pregnant. 

We took a trip to Silver Falls for a small hike around the North Fall. I couldn't help but look at all of us and laugh we were all carrying a baby one of them just isn't born yet. :)

 After the hike we all had a few snacks and let the toddlers get some energy out. We spent the rest of our time running around playing with our kids and acting silly. I always love how being outdoors always helps make some extra special memories.