A Eureka Moment

I'm a mom of a three year old so I have bad days. Especially when he is sick and doesn't stop whining. Illness are drawn out longer and are more exhausted with him at 3 than they were at 2. So this morning after a night of Erik crying because he had a cough we couldn't control I decided I needed to go for a walk. Actually I have been feeling the urge to exercise for a week or now so. It is that "moment" I have been waiting for when I am motivated to exercise instead of just thinking I have to exercise. I have been waiting for my Eureka moment ever since Elliot was born.

Well this morning after breaking up a few fights, realizing Erik could go to school, but his mood was too unpredictable if he cough and had to stay home, I really just needed a break. A break with two children is just impossible, there is no alone time, no me time and you are at the mercy of their moods. This is why I have found it so hard to exercise because I don't know how to fit me into this equation. This morning I decided it was time to take matter into my own hands and by 8:30 I loaded everyone into my car and headed to the bike path.

I came prepared with books, cars, trains, anything to keep them entertained so I could power walk for an hour or so. I have tried this in the past, but always with limited success. Erik always wants to walk and will never stay in the stroller, in the old days he would drag his feet on the stroller hindering my progress. So today I put my phone in the stroller in case of emergencies and started walking; then Erik grabbed my phone.

Eureka! That is when I realized I could do this. Erik can play games while I walk and the problem is solved. The games are educational and he is learning how to spell and read so I don't mind him doing this and skipping tv in the morning. Elliot is content to just sit back for the ride and never complains. So today I got to walk for a full hour and even when I let Erik out to burn off energy he kept up and behaved. I really needed a break on the exercise front. So I decided every single day I am going to do this and get into a routine with the boys. We will head to the bike path around 8 and finish up at 9 allowing us to head to preschool or music class or any other activity we have planned in the morning. For me it is a time to clear my head and start my day with endorphins, my favorite way.

Well today towards the end of the walk Erik started taking pictures with my iPhone. As a photographer you can imagine how I encourage him to take pictures. I even had my mom get him a camera for his 3rd birthday so he can take pictures on his own. Anyway since I can't post my own images I thought it would be fun to post Erik's interpretation of our walk this morning. All images come from Erik's perspective.