My personal ATV tour guide

You'd think after living here for 4 1/2 years, I would know my way around the property. But for some reason, I haven't ventured farther than our yard, the barn and the nearest rows of berries, during picking season. Maybe it's because it's not "ours", so my curiosity about what we have here is limited, or maybe it's simply because, although I'm not totally girly, and I don't mind dirt so to speak, I also have little need for rows and rows of dirt and berries. Well, now that we have a brand new ATV, and I've taken it for a couple spins around our driveway and front lawn, Kenton thought it was time I take it for a real ride. So, I put on his helmet (which fortunately fits fine), got Wyatt all suited up, and Kenton warned me the "Frequent Stops May Occur". When Wyatt asked what that meant, I said that means you stop without warning on a regular basis and I should keep my distance. That satisfied him ;) So, off we went, with Wyatt taking the lead on his own little ATV. I had a basic idea of the path we'd be following around all the berry rows, but was mostly depending on Wyatt's knowledge. About 1/4 of the way, he stopped and turned around to see me. I thought maybe he was just checking to make sure I was still following... instead he was starting the "tour"... "So, here's the ditch" he says while nodding proudly, looking very self-assured. I give him a thumbs up, and away we go again. We get to the back, where there's a tractor and it's irrigation pipes blocking the most logical path. He steers to the right where there's a gap we can get through and stops again. This time I'm thinking it's because of the super-mud we need to go through... maybe he's making sure I'm okay with it? Nope. "So, this is the tractor, and those are the pipes..." and off we go. Around another corner, we're on the home stretch, and he stops again, only this time I know what to expect. "This is the grass road". Another nod, just to make sure I got that. Turn the last corner, ride across the front lawn, through the hedges and back to the barn, where Kenton and Dawson are waiting for us. Kenton asked if that was just one round, because apparently it took a lot longer than it takes them and he was getting worried, lol. I told him that Wyatt kept stopping to tell me where we were, but honestly, I think it also just seemed longer because he wasn't the one out there having fun! So we went for another round, but Wyatt's quad was stalling and after a few tries I couldn't start it up again, so I had to double Wyatt back to the house and take over with Dawson while Kenton and Wyatt went and got things going again. All in all, I had a great time and am definitely looking forward to doing it again. Although my crunchy side feels guilty for loving an air polluting, fossil fuel consuming pasttime... but I guess I can't be crunchy all the time ;)

Fisherman of the Day!

That's what Wyatt kept calling himself yesterday, when they got home from camping, with his first prized catch! It's a small 5oz Rainbow Trout, and he basically caught it all by himself!

Kenton was paying attention to steering, when Wyatt told him his line was pulling. Kenton told him to start reeling it in, so Wyatt did, and when it was right close, Kenton picked up the line, and pulled the fish into the boat, where Wyatt proceeded to knock it out himself with the fish club.

Fortunately Kenton remembered that his phone has a camera ;)

He's ready... am I?

The past week, and particularly the past few days have been full of talk and excitement about Wyatt's first camping trip with Daddy. They borrowed a canoe, for fishing, which is another first for Wyatt. He's been practicing his casting for over a year now, but he's never been near water with his fishing rod. His Uncle Kolin will be meeting them tomorrow for fishing.

I was excited, and fully on board with this plan, and helped with all the packing, list-making and preparations... so why, when I was watching Kenton load him into the truck this afternoon, was I teary-eyed and anxious? I've been away from him overnight before... a couple stagette's, a few sleepovers with his cousins, times spent in the hospital with Dawson... but this seemed different somehow.

I know part of it is my constant nervousness about safety, and imagining all of the accidents that could occur. I have the same anxieties whenever Kenton goes hunting. But I also feel an aching, like something's missing. Or changing. Is my little boy really grown up enough to go camping without me? Is he really ready for a "boys trip"? When we said goodbye, he seemed more concerned about me missing him, than the other way around... but he's always been very empathetic and observant of unspoken feelings, so that really doesn't surprise me. Maybe it's the reminder that, little by little, I have to start letting him go.

I'm looking forward to frying up some trout tomorrow, but for now, it's time to quell my fears and get some sleep. And, I forgot to send the camera with them, but Wyatt brought his own VTech camera, so if there are any discernable pictures, I'll add them tomorrow.