Paradise Park in Motown

Traveling with a 2 and 4 year old is always associated with a little anxiety for me. Not because I necessarily want it to just be a super pleasant experience for them. I am all about pushing them a little outside of their comfort zone, but more because I want to create an environment that allows me to be successful as their mommy and not communicate anything that might cause lasting scars. I was a sensitive kid and it penetrated deep when I felt like an announce, so I do my best to avoid communicating that to my precious gifts. But, if I am honest sometimes they just annoy the badonkadonk out of me. It's my issue I am easily irritated and I am so thankful that God is using their lives to refine me in this area. I knew 12 hours in the car, 4 hours watching a football game and a couple of sit down meals were sure to result in a few meltdowns, so I wanted to find one activity they would thoroughly enjoy. There is a fun activity park just a couple miles from Chelsea and Jordon's, so I decide we would go.  A kid crazed atmosphere is not necessarily my cup of tea, but denying self is a huge part of this parenting gig. So, after a fun morning hanging with the fam we headed to Paradise Park.

I am not a huge fan of trampolines because they are not the safest apparatus, especially when you put a few rough and tumble boys in the mix. These tramps were great, they each had their own area and were completely enclosed by a safety net. Yes, I sound like a super over protective mother, but with good cause. In 5th grade I got spiked on my head off a tramp and walked around with lopsided shoulders for over a week.

Exhaustion set in, so we moved on to some car racing. 

These little cars were lacking in thrill, so we decided to move on to the Speedway.

IT was a blast. We are slightly competitive in the Ruiz family. Turning everything into a competition makes it much more enjoyable to do the not so fun parts of life. However, if you don't handle losing well it can make for many teaching opportunities. Caleb has shed many a tear over not getting to the top of the stairs the fastest, not being first to clean up his toys or losing our nightly race of who can scrub their teeth the fastest. Thankfully, the Speedway was just fun competition and Caleb and Daddy totally smoked us, so Caleb was all smiles.

 

NCU vs Michigan State

 

When we found out that Clay would be playing a game within a few hours of home we had to go. It's hard for me to believe that he is a 200 pound college football player. He was Caleb's age when we moved to the foothills of Tucson, AZ. In many ways Caleb's intense personality reminds me of my little buddy Clay (now not such a little buddy). Like Clay, Caleb loves dinosaurs, is very determined, can't sit still and has to do things in his time on his terms. It is encouraging to see what a neat guy Clay has turned out to be and gives me hope that my little determined buddy will follow suit. 

Their team was playing a top ranked team in their stadium with green everywhere. I couldn't resist this picture even though it was our opponent's attire.

At the half the kids needed a break from sitting, so we went and played a little ball. We had a blast. It has been so fun watching Caleb's interest in sports develop. We haven't pushed it and the boy loves football as much as baseball. It is an every day activity for him to find his Nerf ball and throw it against the wall. Listening to him play an entire football game through his imagination is very entertaining.

The kids did really well, much better than I was anticipating for a 4 hour game in the cold. Always thankful for pleasant outings.

Our Buddy Clay running off the field.

Chelsea, Clay, Jordan and Grandpa Cowboy (with a tired Sissy in hand)

We had so much fun hanging with family. Makaylee loved playing with her pretty and fun cousin Chelsea. If I've ever questioned the value of quality time, that questioning has been totally eliminated. After one afternoon of Jordon playing football with Caleb, he is his new hero.  Thanks to the Fathead commercials he wants a life size picture of Jordon for his bedroom. He is determined to get a Detroit Lion's helmet and won't take off his Lion's Jersey.  He told me this morning he wants Jordon and Polamalu on his birthday cake. "Jordon will be tackling and Polamalu will have the ball." We are still working on comprehension of offense and defense. :)

Pirates Camp 2010

Caleb got an opportunity to take part in a rare opportunity and go to a baseball camp hosted by the Pirates.

I'm not sure if he fully understood what a cool opportunity this was, but Daddy sure thought it was amazing as did Mommy, Uncle Dan Dan and Grandma.

Caleb was by far the youngest kid, 

but he loved every minute of it. His favorite part was pitching. He did a little praying before starting his least favorite part base running. 

He found that even running was extra fun when you have the Pirate's 1st baseman Garrett Jones and coach Jeff Banister instructing.

Sister enjoyed escorting her big brother to the field and watching him perfect his skills.

Caleb was thankful Daddy was there to rescue him and run him up a 100 flights of stairs, so he made it to the restroom on time. Apparently there are no restrooms in the dugouts, even in MLB. 

It really was a Mommy moment full of warm and fuzzies, watching my little one enjoy himself so much. We all enjoyed burgers and hotdogs and tickets to the Pirates game.

One of  Garrett Jones' at bats.

Thanks to 

for an awesome experience and a treasured memory.

Trax Farm

There is a really cool farm here that has a fall festival with fun for the whole family. We had an amazing time with Cory's brother Daniel, Aunt Leslie and Grandma. You name it they had it. But, before we headed out for some fall fun, Caleb showed us his amazing frisbee skills.

Never ending piles of pumpkins were great for climbing.

A relaxing hayride overlooking the beautiful rolling hills of eastern Pennsylvania.

A very complicated Corn Maze that we still may be stuck in, if we had not cheated. 

A train ride that is extra fun, 

 in the pretty purple car

or if you get to be the caboose.

And of course completed by the ever popular bouncy rides

A day full of fun, good food (turkey legs, pulled pork, cider slushes and amazing cookies) and FaMily!!