My Husband's Birthday Hike

We would have missed this amazing tree had we NOT taken the bloody hike.

It's the tradition in our family that whenever it's someone's birthday, they get to choose the family activity for the day. Not being great lovers of the outdoors, the only way my husband gets us to enjoy the great outdoors is to play this birthday card once a year. Inevitably, he chooses a family hike.

We've done it for the last few years, with mixed results. The first year, he chose what was probably an amateur hike, but it involved a lot of climbing over rocks and through grass. While my daughter embraced her inner mountain goat and my son used his former Boy Scout training, all I had was visions of sprained ankles while making a mental note of the various treatments I'd read about for poison ivy. About mid-way through the hike, I was whispering my mantra of “I hate this, I hate this” and, although not begrudging my husband his choice of activity, wasn't too happy with it, either.

Last year was better, since DH chose a paved hike through a state park which had been the mansion of some tycoon. The path was wide enough for parents with strollers and although not the most scenic, provided us all with several hours worth of exercise. Momma was happy.

Yesterday we drove 2 hours with the goal being to hike along a river. The website my husband got directions from was misleading, at best, and agonizingly frustrating. When we finally arrived at the State Park and asked a ranger for directions to the easiest trail, he said there weren't any that wouldn't result in a search party being dispatched to find us later. Dandy. We finally did find a decent trail, but the climb it entailed left even my extremely fit daughter panting.

I can see that while hiking isn't my thing (we all HATE the tick checks we have to do after being in the woods), walking is. I like seeing Nature, from a safe distance, while getting exercise and enjoying a beautiful Spring day. And even though trekking through the wild isn't my idea of a good time, it's certainly not too much to suck it up once a day for my spouse's birthday.

And to my husband, who does not read anything I write online, should he decided to finally click on this blog: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

The Results Of The Latest Daddy-Daughter Olympics

Welcome To The Daddy-Daughter Olympics!

 Every weekend, it seems, Diva challenges her exceptionally in-shape father to another round of Daddy-Daughter Olympics. I decide on the events and serve as the judge. Below are the events, their descriptions, and the outcomes from the latest competition:

1. Bottom Scooting
   In this match, participants scoot down our hallway on their bottoms. The first one who makes it back to the starting point, wins. 
   Result: Father squeezed Daughter gently against the wall and was sent back to the beginning. Daughter overcame a fit of giggles and easily won.

2. 1-Handed Swiffing
   In this struggle, each person must maneuver either a dry Swiffer or dust mop around the dining room or living room floor using only one hand. The person with the cleanest floor wins.
   Result: Daddy clearly worked toward an immaculate floor, but since he shamlessly blocked his competitor's tool, was disqualified. The 8-year old was the winner.
   
   
3. Sock Sorting
   Since everyone wants matched socks, but no one wants to pair them up, this event consisted of whoever could match the most pairs of socks, correctly, in 5-minutes.
   Result: Dad came back down to the living room in 2 minutes with 3 pair of socks, confident that he had won since Diva was matching willy nilly. What he didn't know was that his rival had gone back and accurately matched the socks. Result: Dad – 2 pair, Diva 10. Captain Confident conceded.
   
   
4. Who Could Put On The Most Clothes In 30 Seconds
   This was a game of volume and dexterity to see who could put on the most clothes in 30 seconds.
   Result: Father was a whiz at piling on the t-shirts, but Diva (aka The Fashionista) pulled ahead by piling on tank tops which were quicker to pile on. Final tally: Dad – 10 shirts + 2 pair of pants, Diva – 14 shirts + 3 pair of shorts + 1 pair of pants.
   
   
5. Hopping On One Foot
   Participants were asked to hop down the hallway and back on one foot.
   Result: Father initially pulled out strong, but decided to cheat half way down the hall. After he checked his opponent into the wall not once, but twice, he was declared a cheater and Diva won. Shame on you, Dad!
   
   
6. Egg On A Spoon Relay
   Challengers were asked to maneuver an obstacle course while balancing a hard-boiled egg (Thank God!) on a teaspoon. Whoever made it back to the finish line without dropping the egg would win.
   Result: Father had a commanding lead, but then decided to viciously throw his opponent's egg to the floor. Disqualification was met with an understanding nod, and Diva won.
   
   
7. Who Could Draw The Best Snowflake
   There are paper snowflakes hanging on the windows of my house. Participants merely had to draw one.
   Result: Father drew a dandelion (?????). Daughter followed directions and drew a snowflake...with a snowman...and a sled. She won. He was recommended for a psychiatric evaluation.
   
   
8. Remote-Controlled Car Obstacle Car
   Members had to maneuver a remote-controlled dune buggy around an obstacle course. Whoever did it in the least amount of time would win.
   Result: This proved tough because the cars drive erratically. Father, for some psychotic reason, threw a blanket down in his opponent's vehicle's way. Daughter won.
   
   
9. Best Of Three In Go Fish
   Three rounds of Go Fish were played. Whoever won 2 out of 3 would be declared the victor.
   Result: Card Shark of a Daughter beat senseless, but at least honest, Dad.
   

10. One-Legged Balancing
    Participants had to balance on one leg while standing on a step-stool. Whoever could balance the longest would win.
    Result: Father pushed the 8-year old over several times. Diva won.
    

Please check back in for another, inevitable, round of Daddy-Daughter Olympics!