A Hike at Skidmore

Even though MiniM.E. spent two years at Skidmore Early Education Center for preschool, and there were many days I had a one year old in tow for a few hours and didn't know what to do, we never found the awesome trails in the Northwoods.

I heard someone mention hiking the Northwoods trails a couple years ago, and thought we should give it a try. The kids were excited to put another mile on their hiking packs.

It was a fun adventure, with a little too much poison ivy and not enough frogs for MiniM.E.

It was a loop trail, which meant once we got to the halfway point, we really just had to finish. It was probably a quarter mile too long for the little guys, but we managed to make it back to the car in time for lunch!

 

No More Diapers!

What is a family with a 19 month old to do during a social distancing pandemic? Potty train, of course. To be honest, it seemed young, but once we start school in September, we won't have time to be constantly watching for signs of needing to go. I didn't want to wait until next summer: one, because I am tired of changing diapers; two, because all the kids have been trained before two. Early training means more time in the bathroom and more help from mom, but also no defiance about the process. 

So with all the kids on board (because at our house we train with m&ms and TV), we got the potties and tiny undies out and went for it. 

And here we are, two and a half weeks later, done with diapers!

Back Home With Gram

This visit to NH, Daddy had to leave Sunday to go back to work, which meant Gram came back home with us. It's nice for the kids to have an easier transition back to home, rather than show up at home and have Daddy at work and only me to entertain them after spending time with lots of fun and attention in NH. 

We tried to keep busy by going blueberry picking and visiting a nearby elementary school playground. It seems like no one thinks to play on school playgrounds, so no one was there, which made it feel a lot safer.

A River Adventure

Auntie Jen lives nearby a river great for swimming and exploring with waterfalls and wading places and plenty of rocks to throw. We took a day trip up to see her and play at the river today. 

It was such a cool place to hang out. The girls and Auntie Jen were pro explorers. The boys are a little small for climbing rocks and waterfalls, so Mr.T. hung out at a shallow pool by the rocks, and I took SlimJim on some climbing adventures.

Our Second Home

This weekend, Daddy came with us to swim and enjoy Gram and Grumpy's house. As always, a lot of playing and a lot of swimming. The boys helped with some yard work, and we visited the nearby playground again. 

 

Just Summer Days

It's a lot of playing in the yard, taking walks in the neighborhood, the occasional trip to the store, and once in a while, a fun project like painting on the driveway.