Went for a walk today in Tryon Creek State Park with our friend Darcy today. It was a lovely crisp fall day and perfect for a walk.
Princess L was not inclined to go for a walk, or a hike, or leave the house for that matter, but we went anyway. First there was the refusal to wear her boots, then the discussion over which jacket/coat/sweater she wanted to wear. Then there was the tear filled episode over the car seat. Yes, the car seat. We recently moved N into a booster seat in the car and switched L over to his old car seat. Because N had outgrown his car seat L got it into her head that she had also grown out of hers. Well, not the case at all. Patrick has just always like N's better so we switched them, thus leaving hers at home, at the ready. But, nothing could convince her it wasn't too small. I continued to buckle her in anyway, and off we went. (When talking about our day at dinner this evening, she promptly told Daddy about the too small car seat)
We arrived at the park and she still didn't want to wear her boots (even if they are pink), it wasn't raining and appeared dry and it was only Monday, so I let it go. Off we went. It wasn't really a hike it was a meander. A lovely meander at that. L stopped to look at leaves and to pick up piles of dirt. She spotted a banana slug and while squeamish remained fascinated by it for the remainder of the walk. She wouldn't be hurried for anything. (a lesson for me in there somewhere I'm sure) and really just wanted to "be".
There was time for Pooh sticks off the Red Fox Bridge. Or in our case Pooh Leafs as leafs were more abundant then sticks. I'm pretty sure L's favorite part of the game is the dropping of the item and not the waiting to see it pass under the bridge. Why? Because as soon as it hit the water she's run to the other side and declare herself the winner (with nothing in sight yet) and then say, 'let's play it again!' And so we did...a lot. No matter, I like Pooh Sticks/leafs.
All in all for someone who didn't want to go she was a trooper and had a good time in spite of herself. Although at bedtime tonight she insisted the only thing she did all day was , "miss my brother
, N". Clearly, it's taking time to transition into this new life. But, we'll get there.
She did sing a lovely LONG song all the way home. It had many many verses about slugs, bats, monkeys, spiders and worms. I could only remember bits and pieces of it. What I could remember I share with you below. Enjoy!
I'm a banana slug
sticky, dirty slug
I'm beautiful, but I don't like to be touched.
I'm a little bat
I'm hanging upside down
I see a beautiful princess
but I'm too short....
I'm a little monkey
swinging on a tree
I fell and I have a princess Band-aid (c) on my knee
