Water Play

It really doesn't take much to make little ones happy. 

I filled everything I could possibly fill with water and the kiddos had an awesome time splashing and sliding and pouring and mixing. It was a wonderful way to spend a morning. 

I love this one of Alyana! 

Of course the water made it's way over to our dirt hole. I do believe this is the very first time these stones were used for what I intened them to be used for. Aside from setting them around the dirt hole to establish an official and delebrite space, I thought it'd be nice for the littles to sit on while digging and playing. Well, until today they have been more in the way than anything. I was so excited to see they were being utilized today.

They just look so cute sitting there playing.  

Scooping and pouring...

Suds, Suds and more Suds

I've kinda fallen off our sensory play fun recently and I've really been wanting to whip some of this up for a while so I decided to stop procrastinating and just do it. :) After the chaos of getting something like this ready, sitting back and watching them play with it is such the reward for me. 

Brayden got to join in on the sudsy fun today, too! 

It always takes a bit of time before they are willing to really get messy. 

"This stuff is cool!"...

Such a sweet face! 

The turkey baster proved to be a pretty cool tool when playing with the suds. Mikey and I enjoyed experimenting with it. 

Blowing tiny bubbles off his hand...

Here mom, you try! 

My favorite! 

They had a blast trying to keep their balance while sliding all around. 

They'd slip and fall, get back up and do it all over again, holding hands all the while! 

I love these moments! 

Bedtime Lately

Since about January we've been trying a new approach to bedtime. It worked like magic for the first couple of months but like most things, the magic began to fade shortly after the excitement wore off.  

Thankfully, we have never had a horrible time with getting the littles to bed but there is still always a certain amount of coaxing, bribing, procrastinating, a number of potty trips, "I'm dying of thirst and hunger" trips, "I can't go on without one more hug and kiss" trips. 

We modified the suggested nighttime procedures to fall in place with our normal bedtime routines. Our bedtime routine, with a 2.5 year old and a 4.5 year old, looks (or should look) something like this...

• 7:15/30ish bath time 
• 7:30/45ish stories/teeth/prayers 
• 8:00pm sharp :) in their bedrooms they go. 

The rules for once they are in their rooms for the night go something like this...

• They are allowed to play quietly in their rooms and are given the freedom to decide when they are tired and ready to lay down for the night.
• They are not allowed to come out of their rooms unless for potty emergencies. 

That sounds so wonderful doesn't it!? Well, lately the freedom to play in their rooms for "as long as they'd like" isn't so appealing. I guess by 8pm they feel they've had their full of play and would rather lay together quietly at the threshold of the door. 

I note their efforts of trying their best to follow the rules while bending them at the same time. 

I should probably be more against this happening but I can't help but think it's really adorable. 

Every time I see them like this, it feels like I'm seeing it for the first time.  I gasp and smile from one corner of my heart to the other. 

Gabriella is always the first to pass out seeing that Mikey takes a good two hour nap (most days) and she doesn't. I've caught Mikey once or twice staring at Gabriella sleeping and every so softly touching her face.  They sure have their fair share of arguing and bickering but moments like these make up for all the refereeing I'll ever have to do.  

I still give them so much credit for keeping part of their bodies (the majority of the time) in their room while playing or talking quietly until falling asleep. It's really so precious. I will miss these days dearly when they're gone. 

Our First Gillis Hill Ice Cream Visit for 2014

We LOVE visiting Gillis Hill for a vast variety of reasons. One being their delicious ice cream and since Grandma Ella LOVES Gillis Hill's ice cream, too, we decided today was the perfect day to make our season's first visit. :)

As much as we love our ice cream, I must say we love our walking farm tours more. The beautiful spring breeze made for the perfect evening stroll. 

Josiah was only a few months old for our visits last year so it was a blast to see him walking amost the entire way! Hearing his excited squeal while watching him point to each of the animals was such a highlight.   

Gabriella and Mikey lead the way and made sure to stop and play with dirt along the way.  Grandma and I really enjoyed the performance they gave us on the stage! 

We even got in a little rocking chair time before we had to load up. 

I am looking forward to many, many more visits this season!  :) 

Clark Park

It has been wayyyyy to long since we've visited Clark Park. Way to long! 

My friend, Emily asked if we'd like to go together for our weekly play-date. It was so, so, so wonderful. 

A TIRE SWING! 

Sweeter than sugar!

My Mikey :) 

(Emily, can we keep them four year olds forever???)

Look at that sweet group! :) Mrs. Emily is amazing! Playing I Spy with the kiddos...

Sweetness! 

Caleb found him a Josiah! 

Making a quick phone call...

These two are so adorable! 

Ayla cooking away in the kitchen! 

My one, two, three :)

I LOVE this! Ayla is always so sensitive, caring and thoughtful with Josiah. She is made of all things amazing big sisters are made of. It melts my heart to watch her with Josiah. 

Mmmmm!!!

Music to our ears! 

Such fun times!