Sunday C.O.P.*

Dustin and I used to live Out West. It was no big deal to pack up on a Sunday morning, drive for less than an hour, and hike in the foothills of the Sierras for the better part of a day. None of this happened, of course, until after we had slept as much as we'd wanted, caught up on the news, and been properly caffeinated.

Now we live in the Midwest. And weekend mornings aren't quite what they used to be. I tell myself on Friday and Saturday nights that I will get! up! early! in order to have some pre-Jaden time with our coffee pot and some reading material. Without fail, I am still in bed when Jaden lets his desires known that it is time for him and his crib to part ways. From then, as with each weekday, it is game-on for this toddler. He knows nothing of "relaxing" weekend mornings vs. the standard chaos of weekday mornings. In fact, weekends are twice the fun because both mom and dad are there for the taking.

Yesterday we took the bull by the horns and decided to take an hour drive to do what we used to do -- hike. And -- aside from the screaming in the car, the mosquitoes, the extra 30 pounds on Dustin's back, and the distinct lack of mountains -- it was just like old times.

*Change Of Pace. As named by the husband.