A Walk on the Wild Side

Picture this: A nice, typical family (Mom, Dad, 2 young sons) start off on a nice walk to have quality family time together. Ahhh.... I can just see the young ones saying, "Yes, please," when asked if they would like to go on a walk around the block. Dad even gets out the bicycle from the backyard, dusts it off and helps junior get on it. Teaches him how to drive it in circles. About one house down, the littlest boy indicates he needs a wardrobe change due to filling his belly at dinner. Mom and kid go back inside while junior is still turning circles in the street with Dad. Ok, new start. Junior is running far ahead of everyone on his bike, making Mom very nervous. She constantly reminds, "Stop at the corner!" of course, in a very loving and gentle way. Little boy decides to ride on Dad's shoulders, slowing Dad's pace even more than usual. Mom decides to catch up to junior to insure he follows through with the gentle reminder of, "Stop at the corner!" Mom starts saying this about every 30 seconds just so he won't forget.

Half way around the block, junior is doing excellent and listening to every command. He falls a few times, nothing big. Junior is getting good at catching himself and jumping off the bike fast. Mom realizes one street over that we left his helmet at home. Oops. We keep going. Dad is getting sore from carrying little boy. Mom is now running close behind junior because we are on a busy street and there is not a sidewalk. Mom is paranoid. Dad notes this in a loving way. We switch kids because Dad is too sore to carry little guy anymore. Mom lets little man walk on his own. Mom discovers why Dad carried him. Little boy likes to nature walk. That means he picks up every piece of nature to examine it closely as he eventually takes one step here, one step there. Junior and Dad are light years ahead. Mom picks up little boy against his wishes. Little boy states he needs another wardrobe change. We are far from home. Mom says, "AGAIN?" Not so loving or gentle this time. Mom catches up within ear shot of Dad and notifies him of the situation. Dad says, "Go back! We'll be behind you!" Junior falls hard. Cries a lot. Dad wipes him off and makes him ride home. Little boy insists on being held by Mom in a way that doesn't squish his pants to his body. This tires Mom. She puts him down. Nature walking again. Mom caves and carries little boy all the way home in this uncomfortable position. Mom needs to rest half way home. Little boy nature walks again. Little boy eats rocks. Mom pushes through and makes it home.

At home, Mom applies icy hot while Dad lectures that we aren't going on a walk again without the stroller. Mom agrees. The kids say they had a lot of fun.... Mom and Dad go to bed early.