Nature Center Craziness

 On the spur of the moment, my Mom and I took the kids to the Nature Center today.  Our main reason for going was to get 5 year pictures of Samuel and 3 year pictures of Aliyah.  Aliyah insisted on picking out her own outfit and it was a hot day so I had to change up what I was planning on putting Samuel in for his pictures.  It was a hectic morning at home - just one of those mornings with lots of tears, fighting, disobedience, and chaos.  It was good to get out of the house and head for the Nature Center . . . but we a looked like a little bit of a hot mess.  When we go to the Nature Center, I realized that Hope ran out to the van without shoes on her feet.  What are you going to do except have her walk around bare foot?!  Aliyah was in her little "princess" shoes (not great for hiking at the Nature Center) and long-sleeves (her choice, not mine!).  Samuel was all dressed up in his "nice" clothes with tennis shoes because his sandals recently broke.  I never see anybody that I know at the Nature Center but of course today we saw 3 other young moms from our church with their little kids.  They probably walked away from talking with us saying, "what in the world was Sara thinking when she dressed (or didn't dress!) her kids this morning?"  Oh my!

The picture-taking went okay.  It was pretty warm out which made everyone just a little bit cranky.  Karys was amazing and played happily in the stroller before falling asleep for a little nap.  After we took pictures we explored the new natural playground and then Samuel and Aliyah went for a quick hike down to the pond with my Mom.  I stayed behind with Karys (she was sleeping in the stroller) and Hope who had just stubbed her toe (because remember? she didn't have any shoes).  We ended up staying for a whole lot longer than we had originally planned meaning I came home with some very tired, hot, and hungry kids (because of course I hadn't packed any snacks or drinks!).

Phew - what a day!  The kids love the Nature Center though . . . I hope we can get back there a couple more times this fall.