Whenever Cora and Cole are taking naps, Ryder excitedly looks up at me and says, "Is it time for Mommy-Ryder time?" With Cole not taking many naps anymore, this time together comes seldomly, but when it does, we usually do things that are hard to do when the little ones are awake. At the top of the list are usually school-time workbooks, building with blocks and Lego's or reading books he can read to me. We both love it and I notice a huge difference in his responsiveness toward me and level of obedience the rest of the day when we get this focused time together...time for him to tell me stories without anyone else stealing my attention away...undivided attention...there's something about quality time together that strengthens any relationship....especially that of one between a mother and her oldest son who has learned early in life what it means to make great sacrifices of behalf of his younger brother and sister.
The last Friday in April, I had a chance to have an awesome day with Ryder and though it was a packed one, I made whatever sacrifices needed, to make sure it could happen! On this same day, Cole had his evaluation at school so after I returned home from that, I took Cole and Cora to a friend's house and went with Ryder on his last field trip with his pre-school. Here are some pictures of our time with his class....
Running with his classmates to join his teachers...
Ryder's teacher preparing them for their hike, including making sure everyone had matching bandannas on so we could stay together!
We begin our trek through the woods!
Ryder's other teacher leading the way...
Ryder and his best buddy, Nolan...
Shhhh...a deer! We saw two that day!
Looking under the log for bugs...
Waiting to go into the nature center...
Checking out the bee hive with his friend!
We had a blast and the hour long hike was good for me though I was wiped by the end!!!
After our hike around the woods and nature center, we met John, Cole and Cora back at Cole's school for a debriefing of how he did...then we were back home while Daddy changed for a concert, Cole and Cora went to another friend's house and I took Ryder to a Mother-Son date night at our church...It ended up being a car rally, so we drive around with our friends all night following clues. So much fun and needless to say, I slept well that night! Here are some pictures of our date night...
Dinner at Curtis Orchard...
At our pastor's house...
Outside a costume shop...
Last of 10 stops...a park across from our favorite custard place!
As if that wasn't enough excitement for one weekend, we couldn't miss Daddy's last concert of the year the next night...so with a babysitter at home with Cole and Cora, Ryder and I went out for our last excursion of the weekend. Here are some pictures (even though we weren't supposed to be taking them in there! Oops!)
Here's one I took of Ryder waiting for the concert to start...
Here's one he took of me too!
And this one I snuck of John conducting for the last time this school year...
He did a great job listening to the band play and then we shared a piece of chocolate cake during intermission (his choice!) It was a late night and he fell asleep in his seat during the last song, but woke up with enough energy to run back stage and give Daddy a big hug when it was all over. Many people were asking why I didn't bring Cole or Cora with me...none of them had kids :) I can't wait until I have all 4 kids with me at John's concerts...years from now!
I look forward to many more times like this each of my kids, but for now...what a blessing it was to spend the day with my oldest! I am absolutely crazy about him, and so thankful the Lord continues to reveal Himself to Ryder in intimate ways and in places of his heart I could never reach on my own. To say being his mom is a blessing would be an incredible understatement...It is an honor like nothing I've experienced before in my life and I can't WAIT to see all God has in store as life goes on!!!
