Hiking with Kids

This weekend again saw me alone with the monsters. It was only one day this time thank goodness. Of course I had them working. We all enjoyed the beautiful weather on Saturday to cut and edge the grass and then pick vegetables from the garden. I actually got a half hour nap while the baby slept. Then came the hike. I decided I wasn't going to the pool on Saturday. I would save the fun interaction with the inlaws for Sunday. So I took the kids on a hike instead. We have several Civil War battlefields real close to our house. This one was actually within three miles. The trail was two mile through the woods. It started off great. Five of the children were walking or running on the trail and I carried the baby. The baby who had not been able to take a dump for the last couple days. So we get about half a mile into the woods and she resolves that issue. So only 1 1/2 miles left of baby on my shoulders with a deuce in her diaper. Then the next youngest starts to get tired. So now 1 1/4 miles left with carrying him while the oldest boy carries the baby. I managed to get the boy to walk a little at the end and I again took the poopmeister. Not terrible but my legs were a little wobbly toward the end. And I kept praying I wouldn't get lost in the woods (they were pretty thick) with all the kids. Then that evening I played a little kickball against the monsters. They think they won but I am pretty sure I was the victor.

Then Sunday came and the wife made an appearance at the home. We went to church and I finally had to give in and go to the inlaws. I was afraid glass tables would come crashing down on me but I managed to avoid injury. The mother in law was out shopping with Mrs. Nosaj. The father in law hid inside watching Tiger. Nosaj passed off his spawn on my wife and we bailed to play tennis leaving her with seven kids at the pool. So Nosaj's kid managed to be ok, but my youngest fell in and landed on the next youngest and they both went under. Glad I missed it. The wife managed to scoop them both out and all disaster was averted. Well almost all disaster. There was still the tennis.

I know I have been whining about a sore shoulder and finger all summer. I know I am getting older. I know my skills my have lapsed. But I come with no more excuses. The shoulder is fine now. I did not feel any pain at all yesterday. That cannot be used as an excuse for my performance. The way Nosaj just trounced me again yesterday embarrassed me. OK. Wait. I just wanted to build it up a little bit. I AM BACK. MY GAME IS BACK. Imagine the pain of coming out to tennis, having just beaten me convincingly the last time we played and feeling like you had gotten over the hump. Imagine that and then imagine this, 6-0, 6-2. Bitter pill to swallow I am sure. Now I am not going to get crazy and say I will never lose again, but DAMN. I was on fire. Backhands, forehands, monster serves, rushing the net. I must give Nosaj some props. He didn't cry. I am sure it was hard to keep those tears at bay. He has a shot at redemption this week. We will play on Tuesday. I will keep you posted.