There is a great market around here that has kiddie-sized carts. Ellie, of course, loves being able to push around our groceries. She concentrates on where she is going for the first portion of our shopping trip, but by the time we get to the last aisle, my feet are continually being flat-tired. At least she is only running into me (so far) and not some unsuspecting shopper when she tries to push the big cart.
Archive for July, 2009
Here are some shots of our weekend camping trip near Pike’s Peak in a beautiful forest in Colorado. We had some terrific weather but it was rainy most of the afternoon of the 4th. That just made for a long nap and quiet time in the tent. The girls kept busy with some dollar toys I picked up at Target before our trip for just such an occasion. Well worth the money!
Camping might be a bit of work, but it is well worth it to be outside together, enjoying God’s creation.
Yes – we all, even the girls, hook our own worms. I caught two rainbow trout, but no one else had much luck. Ryan was a very good sport about that, even though he is the one who always has to get the hook out of the fish for me. Manitou Lake was a beautiful lake with trails all around and Pike’s Peak framed beautifully off in the distance.
Here are the girls making their own fishing poles while they were pretending to be Native Americans.
Hannah, still a Native American, was tracking me.
Daddy was teaching Hannah how to build a fire. She burned her finger just a bit as she was learning to strike the match, but the end goal of s’mores won out and she tried again. Mmmm, the s’mores were delicious!
Daddy and Ellie walking hand in hand down a trail talking about the important things in life (most especially when we will stop for a snack!)
Ellie was a grouch. Ellie was fussy and loud. Ellie was goofing around with the cart pushing it away from me whenever I let go of it. The problem with this maneuver is that she is 3 feet tall and can’t see that she is inevitably about to run into something/someone…usually someone minding their own business perusing a shelf not expecting to get creamed by a seemingly driver-less cart.
I asked Ellie to be patient.
I asked Ellie to quiet down.
I asked Ellie to not move the cart.
Before I go on, I should explain my tactic: My “Mama Really Means Business” tactic – She knows that when I bend down to her level and look her straight in her almond eyes and lower my voice I mean business, especially when we are in a store.
So I bent down to her, “Ellie, Mama has told you not to continue pushing the cart by yourself. You could run into someone and hurt them couldn’t you? How many times have I asked you not to do that?”
Ellie answered, “6″. She was so wide-eyed as she nodded in agreement that her almond eyes were as big and round as quarters.
Trying not to crack up and lose the lesson, I said, “Boy, 6 is an awfully big number isn’t it!”