Welcome Home, Jakey!

Andrew and I couldn't wait for Jake to get home today!  After I finished my morning chores, we walked down to the local elementary school playground to kill some time.  Andrew had a great time until we were on our way home.  I was pulling him in a wagon and all of a sudden, he just started screaming.  He wouldn't tell me what was wrong, just continued with the nonsensical screams, so I pried open his fingers and out fell a smashed up bee.  First sting of the season.  I always worry about Andrew, because Greg had some serious allergies when he was younger, namely shellfish and bees.  Greg's allergies, thankfully, have gotten better with age, and Andrew hasn't shown any signs of allergies yet.  Still, all I could think was, if his throat swells and I am half a mile from home, that's too far.  I can't run with a wagon or carrying him because he's too heavy, and by the time an ambulance would get to me, he'd die....you know, calm rational thoughts.  After I consoled him a little, I high tailed it home.  We made it home safely with no swelling of even the site where the bee stung.  I gave him half a dose of Benadryl, just in case.  An hour later, he was fine and I put him down for his nap. 

Jake got home around 2, and Andrew got up from his nap around 3.  We went to Subway, bought some sandwiches and headed to Chimney Rocks for a picnic dinner and a hike.  The boys had a lot of fun running around and exploring.  We saw a snake on the trail, and when we got to the top, we were actually able to see my parents' house from the overlook, because the leaves are not yet on the trees.  The boys enjoyed that.

After the hike, we went to the Meadows for frozen custard, but the boys got slushies.  What the heck? No custard?  Whatever.  After dessert stop (I can't really call it an ice cream stop when I'm the only one who ate ice cream) we stopped by my parents' house.  My mom was just about to take the dogs for a walk, so the boys and I joined her for a stroll through town.  The boys spent a lot of time outside today and put a few miles on their feet too!  The fresh air was great, but it was even better to have both boys home...even with the bickering.  Boys will be boys, or so they say.

"Cheese!"

He climbed to the top all by himself!  Normally, when I see him going for these things on playgrounds, I run to stand behind him while he climbs.  I didn't make it there fast enough, and he got to the top before I could stop him.  Maybe I don't need to worry so much after all!

Andrew poses with Jacob and all the goodies Jake brought home for him - Spiderman jacket, hat, sea creatures, a book, a sting ray stuffed animal, an alligator that grows in water...lots and lots of stuff!  Andrew was so happy to have his brother home!

"A picnic was a good idea, Mom!"

"Andrew, stick with me and I'll never steer you wrong."

"Mom!  You didn't tell us the hike would be up hill!"

Andrew needed just a moment in the middle of our hike to close his eyes and feel himself becoming one with nature...or maybe he had a splinter in his shoe.

"Jacob, we made it to the top! Let's dance!" 

Hollidaysburg....not so pretty without the colors of summer (or fall, that's really the best time to hike up Chimney Rocks), but the promise there! 

The court house, which Andrew calls "the castle where the camdens are."  (There are cannon monuments on the lawn.)

Turkey buzzards were flying around us.  I couldn't help but have a slight feeling of impending doom in their vulture-like presence.

As Andrew said, "Those are berry big rocks."

Jacob found some interesting reading on the inside of the climbing wall.  

 Andrew used his time on the playground equipment to work out his glutes and triceps. 

 Who goes to the Meadow's Original Frozen Custard and orders blue slushies?  My boys.  Not me, man.  I got a vanilla cone!  Mmmm, a sweet local taste of summer!

 Jacob's brain freeze face.

 "Huh.  Dumb ass got brain freeze!"  Yep,  that's brotherly love for you.  Welcome home, Jacob!