Lincoln Park

I thought it would be fun to go see tadpoles at Lincoln Park today. Louis had other ideas. Well, he was very excited about the excursion until it was time to walk up the hill to the pond. It took us 45 minutes of screaming, crying, whining, and determined four year old energy to get there. I was the image of patience. I was NOT going to carry him; this was a hot, sweaty, hard journey on foot, dammit! I gave the option to stop and turn back, but if we kept on keeping on, it was on foot. He literally screamed and cried his way up the hill, often sitting in the shade for long periods of time complaining. I find I am in disbelief during parenting moments (or hours) such as this. It's quite surreal. I kept encouraging him to decide to be happy--it's a choice often, after all. He can decide to wallow in misery like no person I have ever known. I am NOT like that. I am an optimist and I decide to have an inner peace many many days. Like today! I decided to enjoy the time with him, be patient, sympathetic, but firm in my decision not to carry him.

So, here are some pictures. I think overall it was a huge success. We saw wildlife and had an adventure, albeit an unpleasant one. He was glad we did it in the end. The sense of accomplishment may be contagious (at least that's my hope and why I endure such pain).