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Aaaaargh I have so much to do today.

Very quickly wanted to share this cute hip-hop video of kids talking up their love of fresh grown!

 

Cass listening to the water at White Clay Creek State Park

All endeavor calls for the ability to tramp the last mile, shape the last plan, endure the last hours toil. The fight to the finish spirit is the one characteristic we must possess if we are to face the future as finishers.

Henry David Thoreau

I like to set goals. The kids like to hike.

We’ve discussed it and we are going to try and complete the Delaware State Parks Trail Challenge– 15 trails throughout the state:

Brandywine Creek State Park

• Hidden Pond 2.8 miles Easy to Moderate
• Indian Springs 1.8 miles Easy to Moderate with challenging sections
• Rocky Run Trail 2 miles Moderate with challenging sections

Cape Henlopen State Park

• Junction and Breakwater Trail 5 miles (one way) Easy
• Pinelands Trail 2 miles Easy
• Walking Dunes Trail 1.6 miles Easy

Fort Delaware State Park

• Prison Camp Trail 0.8 miles Easy

Fort DuPont State Park

• Fort DuPont Trail 1.1 miles Easy

Fox Point State Park

• Riverview Trail 2 miles Easy

Holts Landing State Park

• Seahawk Trail 1.5 miles Easy

Killens Pond State Park

• Pondside Trail 2.6 miles Easy to Moderate

Lums Pond State Park

• Swamp Forest Trail 7.1 miles Easy

Trap Pond State Park

• Loblolly Trail 4.6 miles Easy

White Clay Creek State Park 

• David English Trail 2.4 miles Moderate 
• Twin Valley Trail 3.9 miles Moderate

The ones that are moderate or have challenging sections all are close to home.

The only ones that have me a bit worried are the Lums Pond, which seems a bit long at 7.1 miles (but I hiked it as a kid with my brother, who had to be about Cassie’s age at the time) and the Cape Henlopen, which is 5 miles one way– how am I going to get back to my car?

My husband, by the way, thinks that I have lost my flipping mind. But I think that this is a good way to ensure the kids and I get unplugged and exercised this summer, excited about getting outdoors in new places, not to mention exploring all these lovely parks that I’m always meaning to revisit and can never find the time for.

There’s also some sort of prize you can win, but I’m guessing just the satisfaction of completing the challenge will be enough for the kids.

I’ve only ever hit the local trails with the kids. Any advice for daytrip hiking?

Do you know Yo Gabba Gabba?

Look, I’ve watched a lot of kids’ TV in my time. I hate most of it, as it is repetitive and mindless and condescending (yes, I’m looking at you, Dora).

Yo Gabba Gabba is up there with Pee Wee’s Playhouse, in that it seems ridiculous while you’re watching it, but then years later you’re still referencing the jokes and singing the songs.

Add that to the fact that awesome indie bands like the Ting Tings hang out to sing Happy Birthday, Biz Markie has a recurring bit where he teaches kids to beatbox, and Amy Sedaris plays the Tooth Fairy? C’mon, people. That’s brilliant television.

(I just ran across an article where they describe it as “delightfully eccentric.” Funny, that’s how I’m always hoping that people are describing ME!)

Anyway, Yo Gabba Gabba Live is going on tour and hitting 60 cities. YES. BIZ MARKIE WILL BE THERE. I heard about it when OWTK posted on Facebook that we needed to get out our DJ Lance costumes in preparation.

I have a very literal streak.

Have I ever mentioned how much I love costumes?
Don’t you think I would look STUNNING in this one?

Be honest, now– 
how weird would it be if I rocked the DJ Lance costume for the concert?

Please leave your vote below. I AM NOT FOOLING AROUND, PEOPLE. I’m really leaning toward embarrassing my boys within an inch of their lives, but I’ll only do it if I receive enough “ayes.” So then when they hide I can shrug and say, “What? The internet told me to do it.”

Here’s a sample of what the show is like:

Embedding is disabled on the Amy Sedaris video, but you should really check it out.

The Philly leg of the tour is August 29th at the Mann. Ain’t nothing hotter than an Asian lady in an orange polyester jumpsuit and Q-tip hat in August, friends.

Tickets go on sale to the general public in June, but if you sign up for the newsletter you’ll be alerted about a pre-sale.

*** Disclosure: I have received no compensation for this post whatsoever. I am really this excited. Plus, I want you to be there to take pictures of me in my DJ Lance getup. ***