Dinner Out(side)

We had a spur of the moment picnic dinner at the county park this weekend. We got all fancy pants with a tablecloth, real plates, even silverware. Caprese sandwiches with tomatoes from our garden, basil from a student's garden, bread from our oven. Yum, yum. 

And of course some serious mountain bike training. 

This fearless boy has graduated from the bunny slopes and is now trying his wheels on the next level.

Entomologist

Some one has recently decided that when he grows up he wants to study bugs, or maybe mighty machines. 

In the meantime he is a protector of all bugs and today, to his giddy delight, he discovered three different groups of ladybug eggs. Oh the simple joys! 

 

in the woods

A common past time of our previous (before kids) lives, was hiking. We got out, most weekends, for one or more really good hikes. A good hike used to be defined somewhere within the 8-10 mile range, 4-6 if we were feeling a bit lazy.

These days a good hike is in the 1-3 mile range because of those shorties we share our lives with. The biggest boy is a trooper and will peter out at about 3 miles, which is not bad at all. We are thrilled with the simple fact that he enjoys the outdoors as much as we do, and that he has some considerable stamina for his age and size. The littlest guy still doesn't have much of a choice, being strapped to us or in the stroller, whether he likes it or not.

Today, Mr. Bejos secretly arranged for a sitter and chose a trail that we had not yet set foot upon. We covered over 8 miles, yes that's right, over 8 miles, in just a short 2.5 hours. Paired with a beautiful spring day it was perhaps the very best outdoor day that we have had in a very long time. We were sweaty, tired, and felt like we had accomplished something. Oh how we miss that feeling, and how good it is to be reacquainted with the subtle aches and stiffness that comes with the feeling of properly challenging your body outside of the walls of a gym.

long weekend

 

It was a great weekend even though we didn't ever leave a 25 miles radius from our house. Wood collecting, day camping, gardening, and dinner with friends.

The last time we went camping bejos boy refused to follow sane sleeping etiquette, falling into a fitful and thrashing sleep at about midnight and awaking us at about 6am. We were all tired and cranky for the next two days. I was not about to take on that burden with a newborn this weekend, so we invented a perfect alternative. Daycamping is by far our favorite new summer activity: pack up the tent, books, a few toys, sleeping bags, camp chairs, food, and head into the woods. In the woods from 10 -3 and we felt as renewed as ever by our fresh air getaway.

sunny, but windy

March in Arizona

We always have one good snow blast in early March and this year was no exception. Last weekend we had thick, wet, NY style snow flying Friday through late Saturday.
No snow day, and a sloppy drive home, but a good last hurrah.
We took to the woods to take advantage of the perfect snow-packing snowfall.

Puddle parade number 2 was a bit colder, icier, and less wet-making overall. 

Puddle Parade

Bejos boy and I went on a puddle parade, stomping through every puddle and muddy patch that we could find. It was a wet and muddy mess but loads of fun.
Only one of us got to drive home wearing pants :)

Groundhog Day

We have had, as  most of the country has, extremes in weather from week to week. Last weekend was rainy and cold and led into a snowy start to the week. The weather suited our mood last weekend as it allowed us to stay inside and mope for a few last days. This weekend however, we were determined to get out of the house and believe in Punxsutawney Phil's prediction of an early spring.

This time of year I crave the warmth of sunny summer days and so, without fail, we head south to where we can shed a few layers and bask in the rays.

We brought the backpack in which to carry this little man, but he would have nothing to do with it. 2 miles he tromped through the desert. As long as we had a mini snack at every cairn and played hike and seek along the trail he kept on moving.