What a Walk Means to Me These Days

The past couple of months, the weather has also been a bit gray to downright rainy.  We've had a few days of beautiful weather, and yesterday was one of them.  Absolutely clear blue sky, the sun shining, birds chirping....a day where you could easily climb up on Maria's mountain and belt out the chorus to "The Hills are alive" from The Sound of Music.

It was a day where I knew I had to be outside.

Going for a walk these days has a much different definition than it did when there was just one little one to think about. With our first child, I would pack her in the jogging stroller and away we would go, walking and running all over town.  She spent a lot of time in that stroller.

With two it wasn't quite as fun and free living. I was lucky enough to receive a double stroller/bike trailer from my brother.  I figured this would be a great way to keep getting out and getting fresh air and exercise. It is supposed to ease tension, increase endorphins, right?  Well I found that on my walks with two sitting side by side, they would pick at each other constantly.  After being the mediator/enforcer, I found myself more frustrated than happy by the end of these walks.  Fast forward another year or two.  No one wants to ride in the stroller anymore, they want to walk, or ride bikes or tricycles.  Seriously, how can anyone get their heart rate up with a 3 year old who wants to doddle.

Lately it has been a little better, but trying to keep track of one who wants to ride fast up ahead, and one who is still working on balancing and is behind me, all while pushing the stroller, I feel as if my head is on a swivel.  Not to mention all the aggressive looking dogs that reside in our neighborhood, and cars backing out of driveways, or crossing at 4 lane intersections with two bikes and a stroller.  These walks are not relaxing in the slightest.  I feel like I need a nap by the time we get home.

Yesterday, my husband took the two older children out to lunch.  This left me and the baby alone at the house.  As soon as they were gone, I packed up the little one in the jogging stroller, and off we went.  Freedom!!  It felt like the good ol' days.  I walked fast.  I looked around.  I noticed a lot of new things that I have missed in trying to keep track of everyone.  It was wonderful!

I really do enjoy taking the children out on walks or adventuring, but yesterday, because I could go at my own chosen pace, I probably could have walked for hours. The best part of it all.... I came home with a clear head and happy heart.  Yaaayy for sunshine!!

My walking partner - pretty adorable isn't he!