Another entertaining run

I love my time out jogging with the boys in the stroller.  Some of my most joyful memories have already come from this time together.  It is our time for learning, discovering, counting, working on the alphabet, singing songs, and discussing God's creation.

Yesterday I was begging them both to come for a run with me.  Both were adamant about staying at home with Dad.  Oh, but I now get so bored without them, I think.  I'd much rather listen to Benny screaming Aye, Aye, Aye (hi, hi, hi) to every person and puppy we pass and then saying Ka, Ka, Ka, Ka, Ka (as we see cars, motorcycles, bikes, trucks, or other "wheeled" vehicles) than listen to an iPod.  And I would much rather answer Luke's Why, why, why, why questions...while gasping for air...than try to find something to think about during a long boring run without my best buddies.

Well yesterday, once I said I'm out of here boys.  I really wish you were coming along with me, the boys ran to the stroller and jumped in before I could leave without them.  This is the outcome I had anticipated. :) So off we went, down the driveway, then up and down the gravel road, heading toward the beautiful lake.  Our destination was Vegdahl's Hardware store, about 2.5 miles from our house into Spicer - a spot where we could take a break for a Tootsie Pop to ensure the little boys would be content for the 2.5 miles back home.  

On the way to town Luke is fascinated by a skiier trying to get up.  He got up, then seemed to drop the rope on purpose.  This begged a lot of questions from Luke.  Why does that guy 'gee (i.e. ski), mom?  Who is he?  Is he going to 'gee some more?  Is he a little boy like me?  I think he is a little boy.  Where did he go, mom?  He is a little boy so he has little 'gees.  As I gasped to answer all these questions (multiple times) while running, we made our way to Vegdahl's.  We passed the cabin that has a big bright decorative fish hanging on the outside of the house.  There's the fish, mom!  Benny, Benny, there's the fish.  Do you see it Benny boy?  Why are we going this way, Mom?  Where are we going, Mom?  Ben just babbles this entire time.

We arrive at Vegdahl's and I get the boys out of the stroller.  Inside, Luke chooses a Pomegranate Tootsie Pop, Ben chooses whatever sucker his little fingers can get a hold of the quickest.  I can't get the wrappers off quickly enough.  Before I've paid for the 20 cent Tootsie Pops, Ben's hands and mouth are full of stickiness as he repeatedly says, Mmm, Mmm, Mmmmmmm!  This time I actually brought a bib along with me, quickly velcro'ing it around his neck before the shirt gets destroyed.  (I am often amazed at what moms have to pack for a quick trip with two kids.  My head spins as I try to get out the door, thinking Don't forget the diapers and wipes, oh and the sippy cups and snacks, oh and the bib for Benny, the shoes..I can't forget Benny's shoes, and sunscreen, they need a few toys, oh my wallet, phone, water bottle, camera....and the list goes on).

The boys easily get into the stroller, occupied with their prize Tootsie Pops.  Off we go.  It is a gorgeous day for a run.  No wind, sunny, 75 degrees.  Green Lake is full of action.  We pass many bikers, runners, rollerbladers, and walkers.  And a scooter is driving by.  A red scooter.  With a woman driving it.  I said to Luke, Oh, there is a red scooter.  Do you see it coming?  Luke does see it and responds, Mom, why is she driving a 'gooter?  So she can 'goot and 'goot and 'goot around?  Yep, I say, wouldn't it be fun to scoot around?  But before he can respond he spots something that I did not see.  He exclaims, There was a dead fish down there, mom.  I 'melled it.  Did you 'mell it, too?  I say, Really?  Let's turn around.  I did smell something. Sure enough, we backtrack a bit and look down the hill to the lake and there on the shoreline is a big dead fish.  Mom, Luke says, someone should throw it in the water because it's reawwy 'dinky (i.e., really stinky).  But mom, it's dead so it can't 'wim (i.e. swim).  So within a matter of minutes I got to hear Luke's little voice chatting up a storm and throwing in his adjustments for S-words where the S is followed by a consonant: 'gooter, 'goot, 'mell, 'dinky, and 'wim (i.e. SCooter, SCoot, SMell, STinky, and SWim).

We finally make it to our turn off of the lake road.  It's a big hill we are facing.  I say to Luke, Luke, do you think I can make it up the hill running...without stopping?  No hesitation, Luke says, Nope.  What?  I will show you, Luke.  And so we go, with Luke giving me minimal encouragement and Benny just babbling about cars and saying hi, hi, hi simply to hear his voice.  I made it.  Luke was quite indifferent about the feat.  I was too out of breath to raz him about being wrong.  We made it to our driveway and shouted to daddy down by the garage.  

Another entertaining run.  This is all I need for entertainment.  My two boys, with me.