Work And Play

We decided today there was some work that needed to be done around the yard.  Our back yard has really been neglected lately.  Barry has been gone and I just don't like yard work, but today we didn't put it off anymore, we got on it.  Barry first started weed eating the yard, because it desperately needed it.

Then Colton and Barry decided to mow, however I noticed in the back yard that there were these huge rocks.  See below!  How does our yard just keep having these stupid rocks appear, it's like they grow in our back yard or something.

Anyways, I picked up rocks while Barry and Colton mowed other parts in the back yard.  What a busy day we had.  We were so proud of the yard after we were finished though, it looked so good!  There is a nice feeling of accomplishment when you complete a job well done.........however, we know this stinking job has to be done once a week!  YUCK!

Colton loved every minute of riding the lawn mower with his daddy today.  It wasn't work for him..........this was play time with dad!  After the yard work was finished, Colton then decided to really play.  He drove around in his Gator showing off for Barry and I while we relaxed on the porch swing!  At least he had a nice fresh mowed place to drive on.

We had a good day today spending all of our time together once again.  Even if we were working, we were together doing it.  We all had fun!

Our Fun Filled DMH Get-Together

Well yesterday we got together with our good friends, Dan, Angel and Katie and Roger, Deana, Ryan and Reid.  We all had a good time eating and visiting.  Nothing is better than awesome food and company to share it with.  We plan a get-together at least three times a year, but the last couple of years, it hasn't always worked out where we could actually all get together at the same time.  It seems like every time we plan a get-together of all three families, one of our kids gets sick or something else in life happens.  So I was thrilled we could all attend this time!

Each of us has a child that is around the same age, so it's fun to watch the children interact with one another.  Sometimes they play with each other, sometimes they play by themselves.  Other times, they just fight over toys or argue.  Whatever they do though, I love to watch them and take pictures.  Kids love the simplest things in life, such as jumping on the trampoline.  They all took their turn with jumping on it.  Here are some pictures:

Then Katie and Colton decided they would roll the ball to one another.  They had fun playing that for a little while at least.  I'm glad they are finally at an age where they can interact better with one another and actually play together and not just play by themselves. 

What was so cute is this next picture of Katie.  She was really telling Colton exactly how it was and how to do it , just like a woman does most of the time to a man.  I found it hilarious!  That picture to me is worth a thousand words.

Next, Katie and Ryan decided they wanted to draw and color.  They both did a wonderful job and most of all had fun doing it.  They had their mini M&M's to help give them the energy to complete their activity too!  All poor Colton wanted to do was take a sticker out of the Thomas the Train Activity book.  So I told him he could have just one, since this boy is a sticker-a-holic, you have to be sure and tell him........just one.

I think we all had a great time visiting and eating, I know I did.  This get-together was well worth the wait to me.  The food was wonderful, and what else can I say but I have more good friends that can cook good food!!!!!  Nothing is better than that.  As you can see below, we had an escape artist in the bunch.  I think Ryan was trying to tell us all..........GUYS, IT'S TIME TO GO HOME NOW!  How cute is that.  He was actually trying to get downstairs to retrieve a lost ball, but it sounds so much better with "escape artist" as the story line, doesn't it?  HA HA.

Overall, I just want to tell you, I consider this time that we get together good therapy for me.  It's nice to be able to chat with other moms that have children around the same age and find out we are all going through the same challenges.  We can offer each other some good advice or just provide a good listening ear.  It's also just nice to be able to sit back, relax and share our funny moments about our children growing up.  I just want to say, I'm thankful to have good friends.

Play-Doh Play-Time Extravaganza

Colton received Play-Doh as a Christmas gift from his Uncle Ben, Aunt Stephanie, Cousins Victoria, Patrick and Avery.  Let me tell you, he loves to play with this stuff.  For the past few days, he has asked me at least once a day to play with it.  To me, it makes a mess, but to him, it is awesome.  I get truly amazed with him in the way he gets so involved.  I mean he really gets serious with playing with this stuff.  Some of his facial expressions simply crack me up.  Just look below:

Oh how I love the simple things in life.  I love just sitting back watching him play with it, his love for Play-Doh is hilarious.  When he finally finishes making his hot dogs, burgers and french fries, he wants me to join in with eating it (pretend eating of course).  I'm just glad that he wants to share it with me.

I want to always be able to take advantage of this precious time in his young life.  I love watching him play and learn new things, the only part I hate to see is how fast he is growing up!