Mountain Biking - - Sorta

When I met Richard he was an avid mountain biker. He not only biked for fun and exercise, but he biked every where he went in Cache Valley. Work, school, activities -- you name it, he biked. I found this very endearing. So when I graduated from college, being engage to Richard, I thought it would be a good idea for my parents to get me a nice mountain bike for a gift. Unfortunately we only used it a couple of times before moving to mountainless Iowa and then to Illinois. Basically we have been on the hunt for some good trails to hit. Luckily, we found some pretty good trails here in Illinois. Come to find out, I'm no expert mountain biker especially with a toddler strapped to the back. Below is a great depiction of a lot of our adventure. I'm a wimp.

 

The picture above is completely staged. Rich never got a chance to ride with Henley. She is on this extreme Mother/Daughter kick. However, when we were riding this conversation happened.

Me: "Hen do you like the bumps?"

Hen: "More bumps, more bumps." x100

Hen: Suddenly gasps. "Ooooo. Stinky. Real stinky."

Me: "You're right. It does stink."

Hen: She proceeds to grab the waistband of the back of my pants like she is checking my diaper. "Mama, you poop?"

 

 ^^She insisted on climbing the tree after she saw several squirrels attempt and complete it successfully.^^

^^And here again is a mother/daughter moment where she demanded I do what Dad was doing. Complete weakling and failure.^^

Thanks again Rock Cut for the good quality time with nature.

Henner's Happy Birthday

Henley's Birthday...such a bitter sweet day. Here is another motherly confession - - I NEVER understood why mom's were so sad when their kids had a birthday. It is supposed to be a happy, joyful occasion and you should be celebrating the fact that with each year they are becoming more independent. I get it now and it is weird that I'm having all of these mushy feelings about it. 

Anyway, on with the birthday festivities. In the morning she woke up to this little banner and pile of presents. She was mostly intrigued with the banner and how she could get it down. We played and played whatever she wanted for as long as she wanted that morning.

  

^^Seriously check out that face.^^

In the afternoon we headed to the Discovery Center where they have a massive Light Bright and tons of toddler interactive activities. We had snacks and basically talked about water and pretty dresses the whole time.

When Rich got home from work we opened up a few of her gifts. Her Grandma Bell sent her a princess basket, chock full of clip on earrings, wands and other glittery accessories. She ate up all of the fanciness.

 ^^She aged about 100 years in the picture above with all of her garb.^^

 ^^We got her a tricycle, which she was completely unimpressed with and still is. However, the grape chapstick that my mom sent her was all the rage.^^

When we went to the store to pick up cake stuff I had in mind what I wanted to get.  White on white. Henley had something different in mind. She saw all of the frosting colors and said "Oooooo pitty." So as my heart melted I asked her which color she would like. Of course she responded extremely enthusiastically "Peeenk!!" and shortly after "Purrr-ple." I then explained to her that she could choose only one. After sitting in the cart, not wanting to give one up she had come up with a plan "Henee, peeenk. Mama, purrrple." Seriously, how can you say no to that? Also, why I was denying the poor girl a frosting container that cost $1.25, I will never know.

 ^^Sneaking a little taste before the big song began.^^

About a week before her birthday we explained that her big day was coming up. She has started to understand birthdays a little bit better and we practiced and practiced the song and how we were going to blow the candles out. When the time came she was totally prepared and nailed it like a boss...sorta. She always puts her lower lip on her upper lip when she blows, thus all of the air goes directly into her hair. Let's just say it took a few extra blows for those two mighty big candles to get blown out.

 ^^Yep, that's spit. Nice.^^

 ^^And then we did the song and candles three more times that night just because she freakin loved it and we loved watching it.^^

^^Get it gyrl.^^