Walking

My kids can't walk.

Before you get social services involved, let me explain.

They can walk, obviously, but prefer to run, or skip, or side step as if they are in training for something like the 'fastest escape from Mum' competition.

The school run is exactly that - a race to the bottom of our hill, or the next lamppost, or the road we have to cross. It is always a competition and as the rules are set by the Big One, he naturally wins. Every time.
The Princess is not the fastest on her feet but is getting stronger and quicker and with an imposed head start can actually put up a good fight. The Wee One plays along, fully aware that one day his time will come.

Me? I'm going to get a scooter so I can keep up. I do walking but I don't do running.


Joining in with The Gallery and the theme Walk.

We went for a walk

We had been cooped in all day (my fault entirely) and we needed some air. Misty Moo was starting to get that look. The look that says, 'Hey you. Owner. You remember when we hooked up and you promised to walk me every day? Yeah, that.'

So the Wee One and I went for a walk.
Not that amazing.
Except.
He is big enough now not to need the pram for a dog walk.
Yes it takes longer. A 30 minute quick walk, turns into 45 minutes or longer.

But I have to stop to let Misty Moo do her sniffing thing, her 'No wait! That there smells amazzzzzing' thing, her 'I know I'm being strangled but I reeeeeally need to sniff that leaf over there' thing.

And the Wee One is growing up.
He runs ahead, excitedly laughing at his own brilliance and daring.
He occasionally looks back to see how far behind him I am, laughs at me, and steams on ahead again. In my mind I can see him tripping over, face planting on the path, gravel grazes on the knees. He will fall, he does fall, but he is tough and moments later is running again.
And yet, when I call him, and he has run out of puff, his warm little hand seeks out my own, secure and safe, happy to be close. He looks up at me, still smiling.

So if we have time, and he has the energy, we are walking, me and my little man.

Silent Sunday

Fitness

I am allergic to gyms. They make me all hot and sweaty. Not natural.
I am not designed for running. What with dodgy knees, weak ankles and bobbing boobs, I would either incur an injury or inflict one.
Swimming is a challenge with 2 non-swimmers in tow and another who only wants to go down the slide.
I have a cycling helmet and a pump but no bike which makes cycling a challenge.
I have a fitness DVD or two but my DVD player is in my living room at the front of my house and I could not stand the shame of being witnessed going for the burn. Yes I do have curtains, and it is dark earlier now but not early enough.

I do, however, have two feet, a dog and a pram.

Admittedly Misty Moo is getting older and less likely to sustain a brisk pace, and is easily distracted by every other blade of grass. And the toddler is not always a compliant participant in power pram walking, preferring a toddle waddle instead.

But I get out into the fresh air and I stretch my legs, and it's now my favourite season for walking, crunching through fallen leaves, my breath visible. My mind can clear itself of the clutter, it can organise itself, and it is fitter, better able to manage this family's life.


Joining in with The Gallery at Sticky Fingers.

Princess Walks Misty

Today was a first for the Princess. I trusted her to walk Misty for the first time.

Misty is quite strong and Princess is not so the ratio hasn't been entirely in her favour up till now. We didn't go far and stuck to roads we knew but both my girls were very well behaved.

I had a little proud mummy moment :)

Saturday is Caption Day

We went walking this week (well we go walking every day of every week which you kind of have to do if you own a dog) and as I was setting up a photograph of the Princess my back was turned. When I turned back this is what I found.

What witty-ness is out there this week?

Think up a caption and post it in the comments. Then head over to the Queen of Captions, Mammasaurus, to see the other photos queuing up for your captions.

Silent Sunday

One picture, no words.

Head over to twitter and search #silentsunday for more.