The City Mouse and the Country Mouse

So, we all read the story when we were kids. The city mouse just can't appreciate the country lifestyle and the country mouse is completely lost in metropolis. I was the city mouse transplanted to the "boonies" as I referred to it when I first met Robin. For what it's worth, this mouse has learned to love the country!


Granted, I moved from Wausau which is not a big city by any means. But even in those 20 miles from home to the edge of town -- routines, rituals and the way of life changes. Out here -- we really do borrow cups of sugar from our neighbors. When I lived in town -- I only knew about one person on my block. And if you need something -- you go to the store and get it yourself. Out here, you wave at anyone going by. In town, you drive to fast to see if you are passing your own family on the streets. I am probably exagerating a bit but you get the point!


The motivation for this line of thought came from a birthday party we went to last night. Friends that grew up together, all still hanging out, now with a few wives and kids in tow. And now, our kids are all going to school together. I look at Sam playing with his friends and even Ally playing with a little girl that I know she will play with for many summer nights to come. In fact, chances are good that they will have each other to depend on for all 13 years of school. Those are the kinds of bonds that city kids just don't have as many chances to make.


I feel really lucky to allow my kids to grow up in this peaceful environment. Where I can let Sam and Ally play outside and listen them laughing instead of the busy hum of city noises. Where the school is small enough that even the lunch lady knows the names of the preschoolers -- who don't even each lunch at school. Where even though they didn't know me at first -- everyone waved when they passed!

Sam's First Time Driving

Last night, Sam got a surprise he won't soon forget. Robin called him outside after he had finished mowing. He had taken the deck off the tractor and told Sam he was going to get his first chance to drive. He spent at least an hour driving in circles around the yard.

He actually did a really good job steering and turning it off when he needed a break. I was impressed.

Of course, as he made the rounds a chorus of , "Me too, me too mommy!" followed him. So every once in awhile he stopped and took a minute to let Ally climb on with him. But only a minute!

Green Bay Trip

We spent a couple days in Green Bay for a little kid time. Mom and Matt took us to The New Zoo, Chuck E Cheese, Bay Beach and -- Sam's Favorite -- we even made a pit stop at Toys 'R Us. I think the child would have been happy to sit in the hotel room and build with his new Legos for the entire trip.

We had great weather and I love the New Zoo. We got to feed the giraffes and even saw a little bit of lion "wrestling!" It's not too big so we didn't need a stroller, although little legs were getting tired at the end. There were even some big legs that may have been a little tired. I don't know how 2 little kids can keep 3 adults running so much.

We stayed at the Microtel Inn which has a very simple but great pool for kids. Ally amazed us as she hit the water slide time and time again, plunging into the 6 ft water at the end of each trip. She would come up coughing and choking, reach for the ladder and run to start all over again.

Thanks Mom and Matt for taking us on a Great Trip!