Diary Entry: My Special Morning with Aspen

It seems like forever since I’ve been able to go outside with Aspen and enjoy the fresh air.  The skies in northern Idaho have been choked by smoke due to wildfires surrounding us on all sides.  The air has recently been in the unhealthy range at best and hazardous at worst, not to mention the inability to see the normally incredible mountains in the distance.  Walking outside has smelled like a bonfire and the sun’s been a hazy glow somewhere in the sky.

For the first time in weeks we were about to breathe a breath of fresh air – literally – as we walked outside under a blanket of clear skies!  Aspen and I suited up in our fanciest sweats and strolled to the country club to enjoy apples, coffee and milk by the fire.  Aspen brought her lovey (she would only put one of her collection of lovies back in the crib and refused to part with the other) and a tiny little hand-me-down baby doll from our 8 year-old neighbor, Cara.

When we arrived at the club I got my coffee and we watched a waitress make a juice.  Aspen loved watching the fruit and veggies transform into juice before her eyes.  Then we cozied up on the couch and the fun began.  She dropped the doll on her head on purpose then kissed it with an apology, tucked her in to bed on the couch in the club after feeding the doll her apple.  Aspen oo-ed and ah-ed over the fire and kept saying “hot” as she blew on it to cool it off.  She screamed a couple times for no reason at all and I cringed in motherly embarrassment as I wished understanding on surrounding patrons toward my mannerless daughter.  Then, surprisingly, she said “please” and “thank you” to the waitress who filled her sippy cup with milk.  *Cue the proud mom moment.*  So many feelings in 4 minutes.

We finished our special morning with a stroll around the golf course, past the cherry trees, past construction sites.  We talked about the Aspen trees quaking in the wind, we looked for deer, and we mimicked the sounds of the birds while she huddled in her blanket and munched on her apple.

Simple, fresh days are food for the soul.

Aspen’s shoes and bows can be found here: Toddler Essentials

5 Comments
  1. I think we are all enjoying this wonderful fresh air finally! Love seeing you share your life with us! Aspen and the boys are just the cutest!!

  2. I absolutely adore Aspen. Whenever I see a new video on instagram I pray its one of her. She’s got cu h s cute personality snd a smile that’s contagious as ever. It’s her age. I see one of the twins looks like her a lot. You and Jim are so blessed! God Bless you and your family. Thank you for sharing your moments with us!

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