Highland Park...

Without intention, we have spent the past few days enjoying many facets of Highland Park.  It's been an amazing few days of early summer weather and we are taking full advantage!

On Thursday, Penn had his speech appointment at the house and then we were out the door.  With the cool start to the day, I figured we should go on a hike in Highland Park.  Beneath the reservoir are some trails weaving across the steep hill and back and forth over a creek there.  The boys loved the idea and we headed off for our first-day-of-summer-vacation adventure.

The woods were lush.  There was still some city noise, but it was the backdrop to the chirping of birds and whooshing of leaf-laden branches in the wind rather than the other way around.  Koen led us on the hike and Tavin took up the rear (he said he was protecting us from poison ivy).  Penn hung with me in the backpack (literally).  We hiked for about 45 minutes when I figured Penn had had enough and it was time to head to a playground for some running around and eating the picnic lunch I packed.  I didn't bother taking pictures at Farmhouse Playground since the hike was the highlight of our outing, but the boys had a blast there too.

Little did I know we'd be back to Highland Park so soon, but Doug was able to get home a little early and the gorgeous day was beckoning us all out of the house earlier than usual.  I threw together a quick picnic dinner for the boys and we were back in the car headed to Highland Park yet again.  This time we brought baseball gear and the big boys and Daddy played in a grassy field while I hung with Penn on the playground. 

Penn was all over the place (he is our fearless one...doing things that the other guys didn't attempt for another year or more).  I did catch him driving the "car" there.  "Hey, Penn, you are supposed to look ahead when you are driving?!"

"Phew, that's better!"

Doug and the big boys joined us at the playground to eat and run out some more energy (it's seemingly endless in these little guys!).

Tav is a monkey right now.  The monkey bars are his thing.  He needs my help to get through them, but my guess is that by the end of the summer he'll have it down.

Well, that was about it for Thursday.  We loaded the boys back up and got home in time for baths and bed (and then hosted small group).  It was a full day, but such a good start to our summer together!

On Friday morning, we had Tavin's speech appointment at Children's and then we headed to meet Doug at the tennis courts he was playing at with a friend.  Turns out the courts that were available were at none other than...Highland Park!!  This time we had the bikes in the car so the boys could do some biking, I could do some walking and we could keep busy while Doug was finishing his game.  The boys loved the bike ride and I am continually impressed by Tavin's strength on his bike.  Training wheels, although helpful with balance, can be a hindrance to speed and agility on a bike.  He doesn't seem to mind the challenge though.  Today he blazed through grass, gravel and broken up asphalt and even sped over some tree roots.  Our destination was yet another fun playground that Highland Park holds.  The big boys mostly biked (and devoured the grapes I brought), 

but Penn took full advantage of the playground.  Here he is about to come down a steep slide.

After the slide saying and signing, "more, more."

The joyous reaction when I said he could indeed go again!

After about 30 minutes of playtime we headed back to the tennis courts to meet Doug.  Koen and Tavin wanted some tennis tips.  Koen showed some real natural gifting right off the bat with some very controlled hits.  

Tav also got a few hits in and the boys really enjoyed learning a new sport.  

Look who spotted the activity on the court...Mr. Penn Rye.  He doesn't let anything happen without getting in on the act.

We found the perfect job for Penn...ball boy.  He LOVED it!  He went cruising all over the huge court scouring for all the balls and then would throw them back to his brothers or hand deliver them to Daddy.  

With no lunch packed and the grapes depleted we headed back to the house for some refreshment and rest.  It was a great morning together though and we are so, so thankful for Highland Park.  We will continue (probably for years and years to come) taking advantage of all this great Pittsburgh park has to offer!  Thanks, Citiparks!