3.47 miles with cayden

this morning as the household was waking, the sun was shining so beautifully through the storm door and all the windows, it actually felt like spring.  gavin said, "what a beautiful day" in his own way and brooklyn asked immediately, "can we go on a walk?"

it was still chilly out and a bit windy so i waited until 10:00 or so to bundle baby nephew up and tie the shoes on the feet of the rest of them. 

cayden didn't want to go.  

before, during and after our outing i had some time to reflect.  cayden's way of participating in this activity is the perfect example of our family dynamic (when it comes to this boy).

first, he doesn't want to go which is better stated as he didn't want to stop playing the computer.  the kid will sit in front of a screen f.o.r.e.v.e.r. if we let him.  when i tell him it's not normal behavior or when i try to make him feel guilty with "most kids would love their mom to take them out for a bike ride,"  he argues until he's blue in the face.

so i say, "you're coming or you're sitting in your room for the rest of the day."

he comes.  

he stays as far behind me as he can without losing sight of me.  when i turn around to make sure he's still coming he stops and pretends to turn around to head back home.  eventually, i yell "we're going a new trail, don't get lost" and he inches closer and closer until i can hear his tire behind me.

looking back.  see, he stops when i turn around.

looking ahead.  (in her pink wind breaker) she is always willing, ready and able to go along with me.  for miles and miles that girl will ride, hair blowing in the wind only stopping momentarily to ask for a drink.

i take them on this new trail that weaves through much of the horse property in our neighborhood.  the little ones notice the barking dogs and all of the horses.  

we ride for 3 miles until we come to the park.

baby nephew has been fast asleep much of the time.

looking down i notice i have completely worn a hole through the toe of my shoe and my sock.  see my little piggy?  all cute and pink.  looks like it's time for new shoes.

at the park cayden stays far enough away that he can see the fun but not have to talk to me.

i ignore him but only after snapping a shot of his pouting from atop the playground.

one of sissy ...

and one of gav ...

slowly cayden inches closer and closer to our location.  after awhile i hear his voice, "mom, my hands are really cold."  i tell him to pull them up into his sweatshirt.  brooklyn and gavin call for him to come play.

they do this thing where they welcome him with open arms even after bearing witness to the annoying tantrum he's been throwing. they make him feel important by calling for him to come here or there, seemingly begging for his attention and then his mood shifts as quickly as the wind.

and that's how we roll.  just like that.