Monday, April 26, 2010

Adventures



Adventures

I knew my life would get busier as my children got older but I had no idea just how busy. They have now decided staying in doors is no longer an option. From the moment they wake up in the morning all I hear is "Ina go bye bye". They are very happy to get all dressed and pile in the van on one mission or another. I have actually started venturing out on my own with all 5 kids. Can you imagine that sight? We have done small trips to the drive-thru pharmacy, McDonald's(again, Drive-thru) and even a small adventure to my Grandparents house. They love the adventure of it all. I have yet to be bold enough to venture someplace where they actually get out of the car! That's not entirely true. On the trip to my grandparents old empty house, I opened the backyard gate to a long grassed play world they had never been before. For me it was bitter sweet. The thought of them running the same chain linked fence that had kept me secure from the time I was old enough to toddle was welcoming and calm. I was flooded with emotion as I saw them try to climb the huge trees that I too climbed. Running up and down the ramp(put in for the ailing, now departed dog)reminded me of my grandpa calling me in to eat. Than to actually enter the house that is now empty, made me sad. Sad for myself and definitely sad for my boys who will never know what amazing human beings my grandparents where. I wish they could have known them! None the less it was an adventure and my kids ran around opening every cupboard and drawer. I wish I would have had my camera to catch the momentous occasion, oh well...note to self, bring camera on all Stinner adventures.

Not all adventures take place outside of the house. In fact, most of our adventures are in doors or in the yard. The children have searched the house for all things dangerous and are trying their darnedest to complete all dangerous tasks and give me a heart attack. So far they have climbed up on dressers and attempted to jump off on their new big boy(they are in fact VERY small)beds. They climb the shelving in the living room, clear off it's contents and use it as a bunk bed. I have found kids standing on counter tops and walking out the front door. They now climb the play set with the swings like old pros and even jump from high on the slide to the recycled mulch below. They push each other on their bikes into stone walls and throw buckets of mulch on unsuspecting brothers below(bucket and all). I'm hoping Griffin doesn't follow in his big brothers dangerous footsteps but i have a feeling he is watching...and plotting!

I don't mind the adventurous sides of my boys. In fact, I embrace it. I want them to want to explore their surroundings. I don't however want them to do it before they know right from wrong. If God gets this family through in the next 2 years without incident I will truly believe in miracles!