Monday's Hike Highlights

(Isaiah (on lf) and his best bud Elijah, kinda look like brothers in these pics)

For anyone reading this blog, and not on my email list, on Monday's I lead a hike. It's been a different hike every Monday. I try to find paths that will allow jogger strollers, although sometimes the best ones require a backpack. If you're interested in going or at least getting updates on where hikes will be, send me a comment. For obvious reasons the info will never be on the blog. So far they have all been fantastic fun. Every Monday has brought different adventures.

So my girlfriends think that i am now snow-white, or Evan almighty or something...i seem to attract animals, and they thought that i should include it on my blog. so this is the picture of the lizard. This particular Monday my stroller was attracted by friendly lizards, yes, lizards with an 's'. It was funny at first (hence the picture), then it freaked me out a little. Last week it was geese...which they all thought was hilarious that i tried to scare them away by kicking one - to no avail (i don't like harming animals, but when your baby's safety is involved it's kind of a mother bear sort of reaction :). Last week there was a deer right under our front door walkway when i came out to go to work. And there has been a neighborhood dog follow me home from a run recently (and again with Rob). This week we were also looking at getting some goats for rent for our backyard, although i don't know if this counts in the snow-white theory.

I thought this was a great excerpt from 'To Train up a Child' by Pearl

"Parents should not wait until their child's behavior becomes unacceptable before they commence to training - which would then actually be discipline. Training is not discipline. Discipline is the "damage control" part of training, but is insufficient in itself to effect proper behavior. Training is the conditioning of the child's mind before crisis arises. It is preparation for future, instant, unquestioning obedience. An athlete trains before he competes. Animals, including wild ones, are conditioned to respond to the trainers voice command..."

This is from the first chapter where it explains the difference between training up a child, and discipline. I am reading the book again which is great reinforcement for me. I highly recommend this book.