Vitamin D

Today was gorgeous.  We basically spent all day outside. The kids and I went to the park after we picked Ellie up from school with her preschool friends (and my Mommy friends).  Ellie stayed busy with her friends which is why you'll only see one picture of her below.  I had my eye on Charlie nonstop.  That boy is a daredevil! Than enjoyed the swing, being carried around by me, and sitting in his stroller eating Chick-fil-a fries.

After we got home the boys went down for their afternoon naps.  I decided to say a big "screw that" to cleaning the house and instead I spent my favorite time of the day outside with Ellie.  Ellie and I laid on a blanket out in the back yard after we played with bubbles for a few minutes and I read to her for an hour and a half.  She has an "Illustrated Stories for Little Girls" book from Usborne that we have had for a few months but haven't gotten around to reading yet.  We got through "The Railway Children," "The Wizard of Oz" and some of "The Secret Garden."  It was so nice. She just cuddled up on the blanket with me in the sun and looked at the pictures as I read, asking a few questions here and there.  It was the best hour and a half of my day.

After the boys woke up a friend came over with her kids and we did some more playing in the backyard.  They left when Chris came home.  The house was a mess.  We ate leftovers for dinner.  We managed to bathe the kids and get them in bed by 7:30 p.m.  The kitchen managed to get cleaned, but the rest of the house is a mess. I'm hoping all the fresh air from today will help the kids get a complete night of rest.

I've noticed a lot of changes in the kids this week. Ellie can tie her own shoes and she can pump her legs on the swing now to swing high. She still asks to be pushed, but she doesn't need it.  Charlie can roam free on the playground.  I have to worry about him opening the gates and running away, but for the most part he listens and I can let him run around and play.  Last summer he was in the stroller or in the swing. I can also let him walk around in the store and put him down on the ground while I close the door to the mommy van without worrying about him running in to the parking lot and getting killed.  He listens pretty well now.  It's crazy to think that this time next year we won't have any need for baby gates! Woo hoo!

Here are some pictures from our lunch date at the park:

Charlie on the slide.

Amanda's pasty white arm  :)

Ellie on the swing with her buddy.

Thanny soaking up the sun.

Charlie being a cheese ball.