I assure you that I am indeed alive! It is Spring Break for the Canuck clan, which really doesn't mean much because Hadley only goes to preschool two days a week. We had planned a trip to Utah but stayed home because of Jamie's consulting gig. And because it just didn't feel right.What? A trip that didn't feel right for a traveling junkie? Maybe feeling those nine hours in the car with the children had
The temperatures have been beautiful in Colorado and we have been hiking almost daily. Bode even did his first trek sans backpack and darned if he wasn't the cutest little mountain man.
Hadley has really come into her own on the trail and on Saturday, we did a 1.5-mile loop through Red Rocks.
And Jamie and I could not have been more thrilled.Which begs the question: how do you feel about your children sharing your interests? Do you push them to do it?
For the most part, I really don't care if my children excel at volleyball, roller-blading or nose blowing (particularly since I have already made millionaires out of Kleenex Co.) But I am fully invested in instilling a love for the outdoors because it transcends a mere interest into a lifestyle. And I am so glad they are both openly embracing it.
In many ways, Hadley is the mirror image of me and our similarities were no more prevalent than last summer when the kids and I had a picnic with my MIL Linda and Jamie's sister Tammy. After we polished off our food, Hadley downed a cream-cheese brownie and asked Linda for more.
Linda: May I give her another one?
Me: Sure but make it a small one.
She cut it in half and proceeded to give it to The Hurricane.
Me: Hadley, Grandma just gave you that nice brownie. What do you say?
Hadley: I WANT A BIG ONE!
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39 Comments:
I so wish I lived somewhere that I could hike! How wonderful that you can share that love with your kids!
I WANT A BIG ONE... heh!
I push the outdoorsy lifestyle, too, but not with a huge amount of success. The age of electronics beckons the boys at every turn.
I think it's worth the fight though, because once they are outside, they LOVE it.
Gorgeous pictures - you can really tell how much they are enjoying the walk.
Heidi
For those living in a beautiful outdoors place, such as Colorado, it is so important to instill a love of what surrounds us in our children. Or so I believe. Why do we put up with the astronomical cost of living if not to enjoy where we are? That is what I tell myself when I feel like staying home instead of trekking up the ski mountain.
At least she's got her prioties straight - give her the BIG ONE :) Hahaha
I do love when my kids enjoy the things that I enjoy, but find the same satisfaction in having them enjoy the things I never did.
But, oh, how I love the outdoors-- hiking and mountain biking.
Hadley is hilarious. I love the things she says!
it has been nice lately. glad you've been able to get out and enjoy it.
i think it's natural to expose your kids to the things you like. they then can decide if they enjoy it as much as you. our kids love camping because we did that a lot when they were younger. how would they know if they liked it if they were never exposed to it?
enjoy the rest of the spring break.
There are a few things that I really push with my kids... with Red, I have really pushed reading. And not just to get it done, but to LOVE it. And he does... he reads for almost two hours every night and complains when we tell him it's time to be done. I used to be a big outdoors person. But with a child who wanders off, can't talk and doesn't come when called... it makes me nervous :S
Hmmn, exceeding at Nose Blowing is a sport too isn't it?
I am all for pushing our hobbies on our kidlets. You know when they hit the teen years they're going to do the opposite of everything we've ever done. Might as well enjoy that togetherness while it lasts.
I want a big brownie, too. Please.
You were coming to Utah? Southern or Northern?????
Do you think you'll ever be back? It would be swell to say Howdy!
Can I have Hadley! Maybe we can make an arranged marriage between her and my Lil Man. hehehe I swear she is just what he needs!
Truth be told both your kids are adorable!
I feel this way about reading and literature (as I just posted about). I guess for me it is as important, almost, as my religion is to me and that is why I want so badlyf or them to find the joy in it too. I try to remember that we aren't all the same but I still buy them books, and put in books on tape, and read to them, and MAKE THEM LIKE IT.
I am LOVING this warm weather too! I just need to get out of my sick bed and get out and enjoy it with my kiddo's!
i love the pics of your kids hiking. so cute!! i agree that a love of outdoors transcends in to a lifestyle. way to raise nature loving kids!
Too funny, she was just being honest that she wanted a bigger brownie. You are raising such an honest child...good for you.
I think it is great to instill a love of healthy activities in your child. I want my boys to be MORE active than I am currently so, perhaps I should make sure we pursue those things as a family a little bit more.
I would love for my kids to love the outdoors! There are some things I love, however, that my husband wishes wouldn't pass over to my 2-year old boy. Like Yoga. I love doing Yoga in the morning, and Parker gets excited to stand on the pink mat next to me. Oh well. Big brownies are next on the list. Yum!
I firmly believe that your children learn by your example the most. So just involving your kids in your outdoor activities will make them love it. I love gardening and cooking today probaby because it is something I always saw my mom do. However, at my existing rate, my children are going to be computer addicts, treadmill runners and laundry workers. That is all I seem to do. We have not been graced with the warm weather (that I just LOVE about the Denver Springs) you have yet. Soon it will be trips to the park so they can play, ride scooters and bikes while mommy runs the trail. They share my husband's love of fishing and my dad's love of the farm. - EXAMPLES set first.
KEEP BELIEVING
How great that your kids love to hike! I think they love it because you love it-not because you push them. I think kids need a little push now and again but I personally wouldn't push them to do what I do. I love soccer and two of my kids play and one doesn't-it just wasn't for him. He likes to ride his bike-me, not so much. I think if we just enjoy being together and support one anothers activites and stay positive, our children will find something they love!
A girl after my own heart - "I want the big one" trumps "thanks" any day.
That's so great that you are instilling a love of the outdoors for your kids. That stuff will last. It does make me happy when I see my daughter unable to put her book down to eat. I get the same way with books. That's something I want for all my kids- to LOVE to read.
How will they ever develop a love for nature if they are not put in it often enough? I love that you are outdoors with you kids!!
Bode is a handsome li'l guy:)
Hadley cracks me up!
My oldest daughter shares a lot of my same likes - definitely not for hiking - but for things like fonts and graphics and such. I have no doubt that since I have little knowledge or experience, we will learn together and I will be the one who lives vicariously through her as she progresses to greater levels of wisdom. But isn't that how it should be - mothers watching their kids be better than we could ever imagine we can be???? I think that is a good thing!
She get that attitude from watching her dad eat ice cream and hog the computer?
I'm all for encouraging kids to love the things you cherish. My husband is a musician, a violinist...and I love that my 4 year old is now taking "lessons" (not too structured at this point) with her dad. It's all good and these are the kind of things that bind a family together.
On another note. Thanks for visiting my blog...I hope you'll keep coming back and give me feedback. I'm lovin' your blog... :)
Well, brownies are NOT something you should ever skimp on! Your kids are so darn cute! Mine really enjoyed Red Rocks last summer.
I think on things that transcend into lifestyle, the kids just naturally pick it up. But, of course, my oldest is only 5 so what do I know?!?!
Your kids are so stinkin' cute!
Better to raise up little hikers than little bikers!
I don't think they have biker bars for the toddler set and they may come to regret getting that Dora tattoo, one day.
My kids have inherited my wonderful voice (they yell a lot), my fabulous taste (mis-matched socks), and my love for music. I'm happy for the latter one, at least. :)
But seriously, it's great to see when they appreciate and/or are interested in the things that I love. I'm not one to push them into doing it, though, so like you --it's quite relieving when they do it on their own!
AM having visions of you and Hadley in a her teen years going out for a hike as a great way to bond and relax.
A love for the outdoors is a wonderful thing. Sounds like your kids have inherited that from you guys. :-)
It is great when kids like the same thing that parents do, especially when it is ACTIVE stuff and not sitting infront of the TV! The outdoors is wonderful!!
I've been careful about pushing my interests on my children... I don't want to be one of "those moms". But it's inevitable, I think, that they'll embrace some part o fus... although my kids don't play the violin like I do (so far we are into piano), they do love music. Kwim?
That is so great. On all counts!
your babies are gorgeous! and so is your weather! ... only not as much so as the babies ;)
sharing my interest, I wish, they love everything boy - football, video games, etc
I wish they would play with me. They throw a ball, which I love doing if they'll let me play...
I think you just do what you love to do and see what happens--I don't think there is anything wrong with encouraging the things we love. Also, having them develop a love for outdoors and nature as being a good thing--actually a great thing. Sure beats raising couch potatoes ; )
Your children are so adorable. Hadley is hilarious.
awh! i want a big one, too! love what you are doing to instill love of nature with your kiddos. awesome mommy, yes you are! kathleen :)
I grew up in Brooklyn and the only hiking we did was to the park around the corner. :)
I don't think it's good to push kids to like things just because we do, but I think that having them come along and do what you do is great! You have to live your life the way you want and take the kids along. You have to expose them to things...you can't just sit around and wait for what they will like. If they've never had experiences with you, they won't know what to like or dislike!
Love your outdoor adventures!! I think it is awesome that you are giving such a gift to your kids - it really is a lifestyle, and it is about embracing every day.
Looks like you all have such a great time together~
:)
Smiles!
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