Lets Go Walking

The other day after dinner Keira asked if we could go outside. It was a cloudy day and even had rained in spots. But after I explained that she would have to wear her boots, she was all for it.

At first she didn't really want to leave the driveway, but when I told her that I was going to the mailbox, she quickly consented and the next thing I know, her hand reached up and grabbed a hold of two of my fingers.
WHen we got to the mailbox, I made a move to remove my hand from her grasp, she just strengthened her grip and said, " Lets keep walking Pappa." So we did.

Marching along the sidewalk, I kept thinking that at any moment she would want to turn around or worse that since we didn't have her stroller, that I would have to carry her back. But every step was with confidence. Every time she stopped at the end of the street to look for cars, and then proceed to cross the street, she walked like she knew what she was doing.

About half way to the "waterfall park" there is a hill. I thought for sure that this would be the point that I would start doing the carrying. But nope, she kept walking. I did laugh when she got to the middle of the hill and stopped and looked at me and said, " I need to catch my breath." Then proceeded to breath heavily for one or two breaths. (Thanks Nanny!) Then we continued.

She didn't even want to stop at the waterfall park. We kept right on walking. We were more than half way around the walk before she even realized that we didnt' have a stroller. She kept walking. I will say more than half way was enough of holding onto Papa's hand. But she kept walking. And she made it the whole way.

I am so proud of her. That is a big walk for me sometimes when Amy is speed racer mode. She talked to me the whole time and was very engaging. I am sure anyone driving by had to smile just by the smile on my own face. She said more than once " I like it when it is just you and me, Papa." Then she would say, " I like it when it is Mama, Papa, Smer, and Nanny and Granddad too." It is almost like she was working out how to say that she like walking with me but didn't want the rest of her family to feel any less important cause she was having a good time. Maybe I am reading too much into it, but she said it about 7 times on our walk.

And one final thought to any parent out there. Remember that your brains grow when you take your naps. Just ask Keira.