We’ve been home from the epic road trip for almost a month now, and today was the first hike we’ve done since we’ve been back. It reminded me that we really need to get out more. When the kids are fighting it’s time to go outside.
Today was so chaotic and everyone was annoyed it seemed. I was yelling at the kids by 8:15 and by 9:30 I’d sent Abby to timeout twice. I am working out some hormonal issues and the kids are apparently deaf and blind, so yeah. It was a really difficult morning around here.
We reached a breaking point and I realized WE HAVE TO GET OUT OF THIS HOUSE. So we packed up and flew out the door even though the skies were threatening rain any moment.
We drove over to Deer Haven Park, which is part of the Preservation Parks of Delaware. I actually brought my planner and was hoping to make some phone calls and generally get my shit together while the kids played on the playground. Guess what. No playground. This is my mental state lately that I completely missed that. Ugh. Olivia was unhappy and vocal about it. Abby just wanted snacks. Surprise.
Fortunately once Olivia recovered from what I can only assume was the most devastating five minutes of her life, she pronounced this park beautiful and claimed she loved it.
Five minutes later she hated it and was starving. Why are they ALWAYS starving? I feed them I swear! Healthy balanced meals too (well ok, most of the time).
Abby loved it though, and since Abby was happy Olivia had to be even more happy and thus the winner. She’s on a seriously competitive streak and will declare herself the winner of anything. Even feelings. I don’t want to point fingers but this trait did not come from me…
We hiked the little loop through the woods, the creek bed, and the prairie grass. I am totally geeking out about all things fall, since I basically missed fall last year. Last year – knee surgery and non-weight bearing for 8 weeks. Not a lot of hiking or leaving the house 🙁
I mean. How amazing is this? Leaves were literally falling all around us.
We meandered around to the bridge over the wetlands and were treated to so many frog sightings! We probably spent 30 minutes on that bridge staring straight into the eyes of frogs. Love at first jump?
Honestly I could have spent all day there because no one was fighting/crying/whining or ignoring me.
We ate a quick picnic lunch and headed over to the visitors center. It is so cool in there! There is a full-sized mastodon skeleton replica, and an entire room filled with books, toys, and turtles and frogs in aquariums. We spent a long time there as well. There were a few squabbles over the T-Rex toys, and the volunteer ladies may have gotten a little taste of my excellent whisper yelling.
When everyone in our house is cranky I need to remember how much better we all do with some fresh air.
Going on a hike or adventure won’t solve all our problems, and the laundry is still there when I get home, but it does force us to slow down and enjoy each other’s company. We all seem to get along so much better in the fresh air with room to run.
Also. This was park #75 this year! How is this even possible?
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