Hiking

Pete’s work put together a hike once a month for three months in a row and motivated us to get out and try to do all three. So we did the first one, the second one we missed and this was the third. I borrowed a child carrier and said let's go. The drive was beautiful! I would have loved for you to see the wonderful fall colors but 10 minutes into the trip I realized that I forgot the camera. So you will not be able to see the beautiful streams or fall colors that we crossed as we hiked the Chimneys. You will not see the adorable picture of my sweet husband as he carried our little guy up the trail. You will not see pictures of my little guy when he decided that he needed to give daddy’s back a break and hike on his own (he walked about half a mile). Nor will you see the results of mommy not dressing our little guy warmly enough (red fingers and runny nose). You will not see pictures of my little cyclone as he threw the temper tantrum of the century. He didn’t want to go up the hill anymore, nor down the hill, nor carried on a hip of a parent nor carried in the borrowed carrier. It was great. As we progressed down the trail, we found out that this was a pretty busy trail. Many people were able to witness the meltdown and as they passed they would hear, “buh-bye” and then the crying would start again. We were only about half a mile from the top and never made it. I heard the view was beautiful. We will have to find out another day. I’m still sad about the pictures.

Dixie Stampede

We got some discounted tickets through Daddy O's work. So, we decided to try. :) We got there just in time to make our way to our seats. Little cyclone had a great time eating (the chicken was as big as his head). He cried when we tried to take the corn cob away from him. He loved all the singing and dancing and horses and clapping. He clapped right along with everyone and danced...and said ohhhh and wooo. It was really fun to watch him. We didn't get great pics because we were on the top row. (It actually worked out great because the cyclone got restless towards the end and needed to explore). I think that we will do it again next year!

Dollywood

Well, no one can say that we didn't try. I responded "yes" to the Dollywood e-vite so by golly we were going to try. Nevermind that I didn't feel 100%, nevermind that my child woke up screaming thanks to the cat who ever so thoughtfully went in to wake him by meowing, nevermind that we would probably be late. I should have known that it would be a headache.

He went on his first real ride. Pretty fun. Until I had to take him off the ride. Meltdown. Tried to get him to go on a different ride. Meltdown. He got on a different ride. Loved it. Happy. Tried to get him off. Meltdown. Let him roam free. Happy. Tried to tie his shoe. Meltdown. Finally sick of having people stare at me, sympathetically or otherwise, I put him in the stroller and left the area. He screamed the whole way. Fun.

A peaceful ride. Buttons to push. The breeze in his hair. A girl to look at.

He liked the duck. It went in circles, he could push buttons, and play with the steering wheel.

The resulting meltdown.

Round One: Mini Cyclone 1 Mom 0

We went into a store. They had a little table with Thomas the Train and he played wonderfully with the other children. Then he found a Thomas the Train backpack with wheels. I turned around and he was gone...out of the store...down the sidewalk....ready to leave town. I picked him up (meltdown) and went back to the store. We left after I got tired of chasing him around the store with the backpack. (meltdown) I am thankful that we tried. We did eat yummy food, saw some friends, and were able to ride fun rides....we will just have to try again. Yeah for season pass holders!