Week of fun with Henry

Marisa went with Cameron for 2 weeks on a humanitarian trip and I offered to help keep Henry busy.  It was one of the best weeks of the summer.  Henry was so happy to come places with us and he made it so much more fun!

On the first day we went on a hike with a moms group with other women in the stake.  The Rothy's were with us also.  

After the hike we went to the primary ice cream social at the park and stayed until the sprinklers came on.

Another day we went to Active Athletics open gym and made a giant obstacle course

another day we went to "Centennial Garden Beach" with some friends from the ward.

 

Swimming one day

One day I took Dane and Eve swimming.  It was a slow day at the pool and we were some of the only ones there. 

I wanted some time alone and brought a book to read.  It was delightful.  

 About 15 minutes into swimming Eve started not feeling well.  Dane had found some "older boys" that he was playing with (which he loves doing)

 and so I decided to stay and just try and keep Eve comfortable.  I made her a bed and she slept for a bit, but ultimately about every 15 minutes she wanted something else.  

A few hours later Maddie showed up with her friends.  She does not love being at the pool when we are so she pretends she doesnt see us or know us.  I don't know why?  Who doesn't love having pictures secretly taken of them. (Maddie is in the pink)

 

Brock's Soccer Camp

Brock went to soccer camp with his Thunderridge soccer team at DU.  He had a great time.

 

Family Hike

We made it onto one family hike this summer.  We did Lair O Bear again.  When we don't have very long and we are lucky to get one in, we end up going to what we know.  It was great and we went further than we ever have before.  It was a beautiful summer evening.  On the way down a couple told us to be careful, there was a black bear on the trail - most of us were sad we never saw it, a few of us were VERY relieved.  

Dane fell in pretty early on.  He was cold and wet the rest of the time, but he pushed through.

I LOVE when they are all playing and adventurous like this.  It truly feels my soul with a deep joy and peace to watch all of them doing something "together" but separate, pushing their own boundaries, making mistakes, adjusting, trying, acknowledging they shouldn't or can't  do something.  Jason and I feel very different about these moments.  It brings him anxiety because too much is going on and there are too many unknowns, risks, chaos, and unnecessary consequences.  He is always in a state of feeling responsible for the immediate situation,  which is wonderful. As I have thought about it and acknowledge that I am missing part of the "worry" mother gene I have recognized that I feel responsible for their future adult self that needs to learn all of these inner emotional skills that are usually learned through the use of their physical body and so that is always worth the risks to me.  If we went on 100% of our hikes and outings and no one ever got wet, hurt, or dirty Jason would see that as a success and I would see that as a failure, or at least a missed opportunity.   We are still learning to work together: he and I.  : ) 

Check out Noah!

Noah even got to drive on the way down the canyon!