Progression of the family walk

Taking a walk each day has been a part of our lives since Casey and I first moved into our house on Elizabeth Avenue ten years ago. First it was just us and Winston. A year later we added Wrigley (walks have never been the same since her addition as they now absolutely require a ball and a lacrosse stick). Five years later we added Riley, first pushing him in a stroller, then permitting him to walk on his own while pushing a lawnmower or shopping cart of large car or something else to keep him upright and stable, then simply by him holding one of our hands, then with him riding a bike or running. Three years after Riley joined us, we added Chase to the mix. I cannot tell you how many people stop to look at our merry band walking down the sidewalk. Winston and Wrigley off leash and surprisingly being the most well-behaved and under control of the bunch. Riley running or biking ahead, sometimes falling and causing a mighty ruckus due the perceived (his perception) severity of his injury. And then there's Chase. As a newborn, he'd lay quietly in the stroller, never really falling asleep like so many babies do, but instead being always too interested in what was going on around him to bother with sleep. As an older infant, he insisted on being in a Baby Bjorn instead of the stroller because he wanted to be much more a part of the action than the stroller allowed (unless, of course, he was in the double stroller with his brother, in which case he would contentedly ride in it for long periods with his favorite companion at his side entertaining him). Recently, with his newfound walking abilities, he just wants to walk by himself. The problem with this is that he tires quickly, and is very easily distracted (stopping to point at flowers, trees, whatever it is that strikes him that particular moment). The walk takes an eternity, and at some point, it is simply easier to pick him up and carry him the rest of the way home. But this too has its downfalls... for one thing, he is starting to get heavy AND our neighborhood is very hilly. Casey had to carry him on his shoulders the other night and although Chase loved it, Casey looked like he was ready to crawl into bed by the time we got home. The larger problem, however, is that even though he is tired and/or distracted, Chase does NOT, under any circumstances, want to be carried. Like I said, he wants to do it himself, and wow can this kid be stubborn at times!!! The most recent compromise: taking turns between walking "by himself" and riding in his car. This in itself must be comical because (a) he does not want to actually sit on his bottom in his car and (b) climbing in and out seems to be part of the experience for him. So again, walks take an eternity. His birthday present from us is a wagon. I'm hoping that will appease him for long enough that he can build up some walking stamina to make it around the block. Meanwhile, I guess we will continue to be a spectacle for all our neighbors. The plus side -- it is really awesome to pause long enough on walks to appreciate the "little things" that young children find fascinating but that we would pass without batting an eye almost any other time.