Back To School 2015

Yikes!  Back to school already!

Summer sped by this year and Soren didn't skip a beat.  It was as if the two months this summer never existed and he'd never left.  This year he gets to take on 1 day of Kindergarten too.  He's super psyched!

He's looking so much older and wiser these days.  And acting the part as well.  I'm thrilled he loves learning so much and is looking forward to the return.  So lucky to be your mom wee man and grateful to watch you grow each day.  Here's to another stellar scholastic year kiddo!

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'A portrait a week of my children, once a week, every week, in 2015'

Lego building has become a pretty regular thing around here.  Watching Soren move from duplos, to traditional legos and now following instructions with absolutely ZERO aid has been astounding.  This creation is an imaginative collaboration between he and his Manny.  The look of concentration is priceless.  

Mountain Biking: Strider Style

I can't say enough about the Strider!  Soren's been riding since 14 months and before his 4th birthday went straight from the Strider to his pedals - no training wheels.  His balance is incredible!

We've had a blast on paved trails, roads and side walks since on pedals, but the Strider continues to show it's charm.  Now -  on the trails.

Before hitting the trails on pedals, Soren has worked on balance and agility with the Strider.  A true crash test for a bike if I've ever seen one.  So far we've stuck to England-Idlewild in these parts.  They have an agility course at the Trailhead and now - a pump track.  Yep - dirt bumps, hills and banks for days.  To say Soren loves it is a gross understatement (pretty fun for adults too *wink).  For videos of these check out the Instagram feed to the right ☛

The Classic Strider now holds up to 60 pounds and they have sizes for all sorts of skill levels and ages.  Some even with brakes!  Soren's is one of the older models and will hold up to 50 pounds.  I believe this may be our last year with this frame (sad face - grow too fast).  But in all reality - he's rocked this monster for 3.5-4 years.  I'd say that was well worth the 90 dollar investment.

And helmets?!  Doesn't get in the saddle without one.  The bike may look meager and harmless, but kiddos can get cookin' on them.  Plus - no time like the present to enforce bike safety.

Soren even had a little butterfly visitor when stopping for a snack.  Yesterday we spotted grasshoppers, orb weavers, centipedes and inch worms!  Even more of a reason to get out on the trail with kiddos.  Riding with the babes is a blast!

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'A portrait a week of my children, once a week, every week, in 2015'

Exploring trails with Soren has to be one of my absolute favorite things to do.  He's so curious and enjoys both learning AND teaching on the hike.  I am receiving a lecture in this shot after accidentally stepping on a Daddy Long Leg appendage.  'You need to be more careful MOM!  Daddy Long Legs are part of Nature.  Nature is beautiful.' I couldn't make that up if I tried!

Ault Park: Toads, Mushrooms and Orb Weavers; Oh My!

I can't say enough about the Ault Park trails.  They are great for running and perfect for discovery.  Anyone can enjoy these trails.

Soren and I hit them yesterday and had a blast.  He worked on reading the trail map and choosing direction.  We hiked around the entire park through the trails.  From Forest to Tree to Cliff to the Overlook - we hit them all (almost...)!  I wonder what he enjoys more - the discovery of bugs and vegetation

or the challenge of the trail.

It was a blast seeing him discover and become confident on the trail.  And it wasn't always easy!  He had plenty of mud slides and giant trees to climb over and through not to mention the sweet 'baby' toad that 'needed to be returned to the creek'.  Of course!

And the 'woah!'s over fungi, fallen trees, and sticks that make words in the dirt.

And the acorns, abandoned wasp nests and orb weaver webs....

It was a morning well spent.