A Still Socially Distancing Weekend

We're still taking our social distancing pretty seriously, since both Matt and I come into contact with a lot of people through our jobs. Thankfully, we're not short on ideas to keep us busy! We went to one of our favorite hiking spots in central Iowa. Sadly, a lot of other people trying to social distance were there and it wound up being the most crowded hike we've taken. Possibly ever, with the exception of a trailhead for the Applachian Trail in the Smokies years ago. I had planned on spending a few hours at Ledges, playing and hiking in the creek, but since so many people had that idea too, we only spent about an hour and a half there.




The dog spend more time wet than he does dry! He's always in the middle of the kid's water activities during daycare days and we've been doing creek hikes on the weekends since it's hot outside.

We had issues getting pictures. The kids can't figure out how to keep looking at the camera as we call the dog's name (so he'll look at the camera). If they do manage to keep looking at the camera, I get faces that look like they belong on a toilet. The picture below captures the craziness, except the middle one is freaking out because I brushed a spider off of his shoulder and he freaked. Fun times.

The kids are thrilled because we have a dog who likes to climb: fallen trees, cliffs, hills, etc. I'm personally excited for mountain hiking in the future, when Zeus is older and can do longer hikes.

I took the picture to get the kids sliding down the rocks, but instead I got the dog peeing in the creek next to the kids, who were unaware of what was happening.

I can't believe I captured this face. Priceless.

Climbing and climbing up the ledges. 

Jumping over the creek.

We did get our favorite BBQ (Whatcha Smokin' BBQ in Luther, Iowa) to go and ate at home. We couldn't have eaten on the patio even if we wanted to-- Zeus was completely wiped out from hiking at Ledges. 


My parents took the kids for a few hours Saturday night for back to school online shopping. Hubs and I debated sitting on a patio for an hour or so, but ultimately, a nap won out for me and he watched a movie. We ordered a light dinner for delivery and chilled in a quiet house (with the dog). It was kind of nice. Zeus slept too. 

We picked kids up and went on a late night walk around the neighborhood. I wanted a dog that could keep us with us and had high energy and that's what we got! If anything he's made us all even more active than we already were. 

Elizabeth insisted on wearing a mask while we walked "to get used to it for school" (even though she'll be learning virtually this fall). Then, she needed to show off her new "boot high heels." Please notice her mask below her nose...she's one of those people. Head slap.

Sunday Slow Down was more of the same: cleaning, organizing, I did some writing, the kids played in the rain with the dog who is obsessed with rain and thunderstorms (he loves them), and we ended our day watching Selma. We've been having all the hard talks with our kids and have gotten in the Civil Rights movement. As a result, we currently have an Alabama trip completely planned out.

A series of Elizabeth pictures that gave me a glimpse of teenage Lil:

A movie, a sleeping dog, and writing daycare pandemic policies.