My guys are getting bigger all the time. I know this for a hundred different reasons everyday. Today, though, it was made abundantly clear to me that Eli won’t stand for the stroller anymore. I knew this was coming. I still try and psych him up for a ride in it, now and then, with the selfish hope that I might actually get a little brisk walk in. A little outdoor exercise is more enjoyable to me, but  hard to come by when he’s walking. Short legs = slow movement.  I understand this and its ok. Not his fault. So, when I’m walking with him without the stroller, I am resigned to the fact that we are committed to a very long stroll. And, that’s nice because we can discover what’s around us and talk about things. Long slow strolls = quality time.

This morning, however, I thought I might spring for one last brisk walk with Eli in the stroller. It’s actually overcast and 63 degrees. A perfect mix for being outdoors as it has been abnormally hot lately. He managed to do fine in the stroller on the walk to school to drop Logan off, then I let him play a while on the playground, then I bribed him (yes, I did) with a fruit snack if he got back in the stroller for a little more of a walk. It didn’t last long.

Finally I let him out to walk the rest of the way with me. He was very unhappy – even though he had his favorite Lightening McQueen backpack on. I thought he might like it if I took a picture of him with his back pack. It took a while to bring him around:

No Mom, I won’t look at you and smile. I’m mad about the stroller.

I can’t believe you’re trying to take my picture right now. 

I won’t give you anymore smile than this…

Oh! You want to take a picture of my back pack? Well…

Ok! Here it is!

If you would have just said so in the first place!