So I'd really like to update the blog before Jason enters a new decade of his life. And looking at my week that window of opportunity is now. But it's a common evening here at 9:19 p.m. We are sitting at the table and Terah is eating nubbins of popcorn that we feed her (as fast as we can get them ready), a Gang of Four game is happening that I was playing a moment ago and just let Jason take over my losing hand, Alida is getting tired and so is finding things to complain about even though she is creaming us all in the game...So this will be, as has been the pattern of late, probably disjointed and rapidly completed to move toward the bedtime routine.
This year was our fourth year going to WV for a weekend with three generations of friends - 6 children, 4 of us parenting those 6 children and then 4 grandparents. What a lovely adult to child ratio, especially since all the adults are quite fond of all the children and the grandparents and grandchildren are particularly happy to be in each other's company! That gifted those of us in the middle generation two lovely mountain hikes where the only thing keeping us from finishing our sentences was that we had so many things we could talk about (making up for lost time) that we followed a number of rabbit trails.
A highlight of the weekend for us was book-ending our weekend away with time at Seneca Rocks. Our family headed over a day early and played/swam in the river. The girls tried out the rope swing for the first time and were hooked! The river was low due to lack of recent rains and the water was crystal clear! After swimming and splashing, we hiked to the top all together and then met my folks for an evening picnic. On our return home, all of us picnicked there and wanted to show our friends the swimming hole. Well it wasn't long before the majority were wet and our girls had donned swimsuits again.
In the days at my parents' place, lots of games were played, songs sung, birthdays celebrated, books read, cranberries picked, swingset and slide exercised, delicious food enjoyed, and children doted upon. The time was fun (with some relaxation in the mix). Still being Terah's mommy at night meant my nights were no more restful than they have been so I didn't exactly return home feeling caught up on sleep. And there are times that I definitely wonder if the stress of preparing for a trip and the stress of unpacking and settling back in is worth the time away. This time the time away was so good that the answer feels like a definitive yes!
Here's some glimpses into our time away!
I love pictures of caring adults holding hands with children - especially two of my favorite people!
I threw a ball in the water and the breeze took it away fast, right into this fallen tree. Jason was our hero, and enjoyed it.
She loves the water, and I'm loving watching her enjoy water (especially as she gets to be a stronger swimmer).
On our hike - Alida wasn't too tired yet but working on it! She made it with two piggyback stints...
At the top - we made it!
Terah was scared of our swings the last time we tried - something had changed and she loved the swing and even more the slide. If she would see the swingset from inside the house she would cry to go out. No doubting what she wanted!
Terah is always up for an adventure. She was so excited with her two buckets in hand...
She was quite the little cranberry picker!
Could this be much cuter?!
One final meal together before heading home. All the food was great, but eating outside for multiple meals was such a treat!
A final dip in the river...
And one final one of two more of my favorite people!
Ok, must end this, but first two quick videos. The first was one of the things I found on the camera when I downloaded photos this evening. Some parents might find things there that mysteriously showed up when their children got a hold of the camera. In this case, it was my hubby who was the culprit. Would you have known what it was if you hadn't read the video title?
And, so I don't get in trouble for putting a video of a squash and none of Terah, here she is working on her kissing skills. It's pretty cute, though here she was a bit inhibited by her desire to also brush her teeth and/or eat toothpaste.
Okay, I'm literally typing a word and having to move my computer to the other side of me as our little Terah-monster comes towards it swiping at the keys. And then she walks around and goes for it again. So much for thoughtful reflecting...
This year was our fourth year going to WV for a weekend with three generations of friends - 6 children, 4 of us parenting those 6 children and then 4 grandparents. What a lovely adult to child ratio, especially since all the adults are quite fond of all the children and the grandparents and grandchildren are particularly happy to be in each other's company! That gifted those of us in the middle generation two lovely mountain hikes where the only thing keeping us from finishing our sentences was that we had so many things we could talk about (making up for lost time) that we followed a number of rabbit trails.
A highlight of the weekend for us was book-ending our weekend away with time at Seneca Rocks. Our family headed over a day early and played/swam in the river. The girls tried out the rope swing for the first time and were hooked! The river was low due to lack of recent rains and the water was crystal clear! After swimming and splashing, we hiked to the top all together and then met my folks for an evening picnic. On our return home, all of us picnicked there and wanted to show our friends the swimming hole. Well it wasn't long before the majority were wet and our girls had donned swimsuits again.
In the days at my parents' place, lots of games were played, songs sung, birthdays celebrated, books read, cranberries picked, swingset and slide exercised, delicious food enjoyed, and children doted upon. The time was fun (with some relaxation in the mix). Still being Terah's mommy at night meant my nights were no more restful than they have been so I didn't exactly return home feeling caught up on sleep. And there are times that I definitely wonder if the stress of preparing for a trip and the stress of unpacking and settling back in is worth the time away. This time the time away was so good that the answer feels like a definitive yes!
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