Cragmama "Not all who wander are lost…" JRR Tolkien

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Gear to Get Your Toddler Psyched on Bikes

Gear to Get Your Toddler Psyched on Bikes

Most parents would agree that biking is great for kids.  It’s great for exercise, self-esteem, and even the environment.  But despite all the benefits, a lot of parents are unsure how to get their child started in the world of biking.  And thanks to a lot of great products out there, your child might be ready to hit the road (or track…or dirt) sooner than you think.  Here’s a few gear staples that our family has relied upon throughout the different stages of learning for each of our children, along with the ideal ages for each. BIKE TRAILER (<1 to 4):  If the whole…Read the rest of this entry →

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Deuter Junior for the Crag-Kiddo (aka a New “Cookie Pack”)

Deuter Junior for the Crag-Kiddo (aka a New “Cookie Pack”)

Does your family ever ascribe unconventional names to everyday items?  We do this ALL. THE. TIME.  Sometimes it’s an abbreviation for an often-used, long word.  Other times the creative moniker is merely a victim of mispronunciation by one of our children that happened to stick (in our household we use “constructions” to put together Legos.)  And because we are creatures of habit, we tend to stick to these nicknames long after the reason it was created has expired.  (Which is why Caleb and Bennett, two of our favorite climbing partners, will forever answer to “Cockie” and “Butt-Butt” even though my 5 year…Read the rest of this entry →

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The Stinkbug Saga

The Stinkbug Saga

Last Monday we were almost late to school because of a stink bug.  Yup, a stink bug.  Actually, a brown marmorated stink bug to be exact.  But that’s how the saga ends, not begins.  Let me back up. It had to be at least a month ago when I first noticed him (her?) motoring around the walls around our kitchen table.  “Look at the stinkbug!” I announced to Baby Zu, pointing.  Her eyes lit up as her gaze followed him around the room, and her tiny pointer finger bobbed up and down excitedly.  “BUH!!!!!  BUH!!!!!!!” she sang out.  We watched together for a…Read the rest of this entry →

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Veyo Mittyz: World’s Best Mitten for Kids!

Veyo Mittyz: World’s Best Mitten for Kids!

This post is for all of us out there that have had to endure the painstaking process of gearing up a child under the age of 5 to play outside in cold weather.  (If you HAVEN’T experienced the agony pleasure, tag along with a mom friend one morning at the park…it’s the stuff birth control is made of.)  But for those of you that are wrestling with boots, gloves, hats, scarves, coats, and cranky toddlers every morning, here’s a little something that might just rock your world a little bit. They’re called “mittyz,” and they are made by Veyo Kids, a…Read the rest of this entry →

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The Blessings of Jesus and Tequila

The Blessings of Jesus and Tequila

A lot of people tout that Jesus and Tequila 12b (aka “J ‘n T”) is the best 5.12 in the New River Gorge (and I wouldn’t disagree.)  Some people even argue that it’s the best route in the Gorge, period. I’ve even heard more than one person say it is the best route they have EVER touched. Well, with that introduction, you know it’s not gonna be a gimme for the grade, right? While grades are of course highly subjective, J ‘n T has a pretty solid consensus that 12b is a big fat sandbag (unless you are my one friend that downgrades…Read the rest of this entry →

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“Not all who wander are lost.” —JRR TOLKIEN