Great day with our family

Mike and I are not the type to do too many new things.  We typically eat chicken and some sort of side most nights for dinner, we are happy going to the same beach every year for vacation and we automatically go to the same restaurant when we find time (and money) to go out to dinner.  We are creatures of habit and we know it.  But on Saturday we decided to branch out of our comfort zone, alone no less, and do a few new things, and it turned out to be one of the best days and one I know I will remember for a long time.

The day started out mostly normal, with Olivia's class at kid's gym.  Olivia's Great Grand Mother, GiGi, also joined us for the class to see just how much fun is crammed into only 45 minutes.  Olivia laughed and smiled, and screamed while under the parachute just to make sure everyone was watching her, letting everyone know she was having a great time.  She also let us know when she did NOT want to do an activity, and instead would find her way to a different apparatus then the group.  She joined in when she wanted to, and did her own thing when she wanted.  Then came the BUBBLES.  She loves these things, and she lets the whole class know.  And as if this class could not get any better, at the end she got a medal for her participation for 16 whole weeks (yes, that is 16 Saturdays at 9:15AM- yowza!).  After the gym, we took GiGi out to breakfast and Olivia continued her great mood there.  Then on the way home we did our best to keep Olivia awake, and it worked because she proceeded to take a 3 hour nap.

 

While Olivia napped, (I got my hair done), but I was also trying to think of something fun for us to do that wouldn't really cost too much money, but would be different than our usual Saturday activities.  On one of our first dates, Mike and I went on a picnic on the lawn of the National Monument and we had such a good time, I decided we needed to go on a family picnic.  So as soon as Olivia woke up from her nap, we gathered a few snacks, toys, a blanket and headed to a local winery.  I had only been there a few other times, and of course, with other people.  We decided to scope the situation out and as we looked around we found a nice shady spot on top of a small hill where we could see the entire grounds.  It was a gorgeous day, perfect weather, perfect location and Olivia had so much fun!

 
Sometimes deciding on where to go can be a challenge because for us, we have a 21 month old that cannot walk, but wants to go everywhere. I think we can get a little timid to try new things because we worry that it is harder for Olivia to get around at certain locations.  I worry about her scraping her bottom because she still scoots and in all honesty, I worry about how stressful the situation will be on the two of us as parents. So when we landed in the perfect, and I mean, perfect, option for all parties involved, we were beside ourselves with excitement.  Olivia was able to move around and we didn't have to worry about any obstacles and for the most part, not worry about her being injured.  Mike and I were able to relax a bit and Olivia was able to enjoy herself at the same time.  It was a win-win for everyone!

I'm FREE!!!!

Attempted Family Picture = FAIL

Just happy being with Daddy

We are now looking forward to going back frequently and maybe, just maybe, trying to find a few more places to go that we have held off going to for fear of the stress that would be sure to follow.  I think for now we should probably stop looking at things as challenges and instead look at the world as possibilities.  If something is hard or stressful, we can always move that option to the bottom of the list and try it again when Olivia is older.  But we now know not to avoid places because we just might be missing out on an amazing and great day with our family.

I love this little girl!