Alex was very frustrated after Brooke’s soccer game and I knew exactly why.  He really wanted to get in the game and play and hated walking on the sidelines.  So after her game I forgoed errands we needed to run and took them to the Arboretum were Alex could do one of his favorite things: play with fallen leaves and pick up sticks.  He loves to pick up sticks and carries them and will always trade his stick for a bigger one if he can find it.  On two occasions during this hike he attempted to trade for a felled tree. Then Brooke found us a new trail we had never been on and I let the two of them take their time and lead us through the trees.  When Alex got tired I had the carrier on to give him a lift back home.  Brooke sang songs and enjoyed the entire hike with me and her brother.