silly hat bike ride

Despite the title, we did not wear silly hats on a bike ride.

We went on another outing on the trail. I ran at least twice as much as I did before but without that bounce in my step that I had before, boo rode her bike again and did awesome, minus a few accidents...I'll get to that in a minute.

I loved running beside her. She was just leisurely riding her bike singing, "silly hat, silly hat...." It was so cute... it just tickles me as I remember looking at her from the back swerving a little with the handle bars, as she is still learning, seeing her "crinkly" hair flowing out of her Minnie mouse helmet singing a song she learned from Barney.

Now she rode her bike non-stop for a long distance so she is definitely improving, however she has yet to learn how to look in another direction with out moving the handle bars. We were crossing the street at a cross walk and another bike was coming from the other direction. Boo's attention turned to the bike passing her. I was behind with little miss in in the stroller watching this happen with gg closer to her. It all happened slowly, boo's bike began veer in the direction of the other biker, and she kept going until she crashed into the other bike's back wheel, and Boo tumble to the street. No one was injured minus a small scrape, thankfully, and makes it funny to remember.

little campers

Last week we went "camping". Apparently camping in Nebraska is not camping.  But what is camping? Is it being in the middle of no where? Or is it simply sleeping in a tent and a campfire?  I agree that our camping wasn't hard core by any means.  We went to a state park where we camped surrounded by a lot of other campers, literally RV campers there were only a few other tents.  There were bathrooms and showers one campsite over...nice to have but it was far enough I had to get in the car in the middle of the night to take Boo. not fun.  We also had an electrical outlet, which we used to blow up our air mattress and plug in our griddle for pancakes in the morning.  :) we were really roughing it, I know. But if I'm going to go camping that's how I like it. It's convenient and I feel safer. I am not a in-the-middle-of-no-where camper.
We had fun and I think Boo had fun. It was the first time we went as a family.

We let Boo do a pony ride. we thought about the trail rides but didn't think that would go over too well with Little Miss and it cost a lot. Boo was quite happy with riding this poor pony that is forced to go around in a circle.

Paddle boats. Little Miss and I had to get off early because she was ready to jump over and play in the nasty lake water. 

We also went to the driving range and the tower that overlooks the Platte river.

Next time, I think we should try for two nights but I was kinda done by noon and anxious to get Little miss home for a nap and me for a shower.  It's amazing how camping makes you feel gross.

feelin alive

We went on a family outting on the trail this week. Boo was on her bike so we were able to run with her when she was riding well. I got started running and it felt so good. I ran further than I've ran since boo was born. I could here Jillian Michaels voice running through my mind, "this is easy for you. You're strong. You should be floating in the air and feel alive". And I felt all those things. I don't say this to brag because it really wasn't that far but I want to remember that running felt good and easy for probably the first time in my life. Running isn't my cup of tea but now I know I can do it.

growing up

It's not official yet but the possibility of Boo going to preschool next year is very real and I'm freaking out a bit. I'm completely surprised at my reaction to all of this. Boo is sooo ready for school. She doesn't even blink an eye when we mention school, granted she probably doesn't realize that once she goes she doesn't stop for 20 more years. ugghhh. How did she get to be so old to be gone everyday for 4ish hours? How did I not take advantage of it more? How do I slow down time so that the next month becomes a year?   This feeling that I have feels very familiar. It feels like the same anxiety I had during the time between saying yes to GG's proposal and the wedding date. It's a feeling of impending change, really, the fear of the unknown and time just ticking away until the marked day.

I'm afraid that school will change her. I'm afraid that she will no longer be content with just sitting at the table and coloring for an hour or so. I'm afraid she won't just sit in her room playing with her dolls for hours, or reading books.  I'm afraid she'll no longer find joy in the simple things of being a kid. I'm afraid she'll want a crazy structure and have something happening all the time.

I know it sounds all so dramatic typed up but I know it's life and it will be good...despite this crazy feeling inside. I want so much to hold on to these years.

 I thought while talking about Boo, I'd also share some of her pictures:
Check out that dress! This is why I think there is a small chance that she could become a fashion designer...what kid puts designs on dresses? (hopefully the actual dress is not see through so that you can see the woman's legs, just sayin')

Another dress design. Thankfully, her puff sleeves are finally looking like puff sleeves...they didn't always look like puff sleeves...just two suspiciously perfectly placed round things a on a female stick figure. 

I love the small figure, I assume it is the back of the girl showing that she is wearing butterfly wings.

 I don't know if this is a family but look at all those people! When I was in kindergarten I was supposed to draw my siblings for a little book. I just drew their faces...its hard to draw 12 people but look at Boo drawing all those people. Yep, I'm kinda on a "boo is super duper fantastic" post....

 And what the heck is this? She drew a picture of someone laughing at another because of how she looks....doesn't that make you so sad?! (And if that picture is Boo with blond hair, this is not a "boo is super duper fantasic" post). Boo has something against buns in her hair or maybe something about the dress.

 This is like a smart super butterfly woman with a ballon:

That's all. Remember when I told you how she wanted to have a stand to sell all her pictures? Now you've seen a sampling, any takers for original art by Boo? :) jk, but no really, she'd be so delighted...any uncles that want to move to the top of the of the favorite uncle list???? haha...

let freedom ring

I don't know why I've been dragging my feet in getting ready for the 4th. I realized Sunday that the 4th was this week and I better get my act together. I finally changed my spring decorations over. Maybe part of the reason is because i have to think up and create the decorations this year since there are new things a spaces in the house.  And I try to be especially creative by not spending any money, just using what I've got.

 I'm in the process of making these tin cans for the cutlery for our neighbor bbq. However, as I was finding a picture to put on the blog I found one where they used red tape and star stickers- REALLY CUTE. But it would cost me money so we'll stick with what we've got.

I'm going to do these stars on our lawn. Spray with water and then sift flour on.

I think I have a plan for dessert I'm taking. I think sugar cookies with m&M's in a flag shape and sugar cookies with strawberries and blueberries in star shape. And pretty much any of the ideas on this blog from Our Best Bites is an option for me at this point. 

Our primary is going to do a parade at our ward breakfast. I bought bubbles and flags for those who don't have bikes to ride. Should I buy batteries for our super old cd player so they can have music? Is that what people do for parades? My parents neighborhood parade is basically a glorified bike ride/walk behind a fire engine...no music. I always felt that the parade was lacking but it is still fun to see all the decorated bikes/wagons etc.  thoughts? And if I were to bring music what would be the best song? Grand ol' flag???

Anyway, I'm getting excited. I even took way too many hours trying to do a patriotic nail art on my toes. But I was watching a movie by myself and it kept me occupied. They are pretty cute for an amateur, if I do say so myself. :)

Happy 4th of July planning so that your holiday can be an joyful and relaxing and not hurried or stressed. :)