Play? No really a play :)

A Midsummer Night's Dream - for the love of Shakespeare!  People are still entertained by his plays after all this time, a four year old finds humor and drama in the same scene as a 65 year old.  We have wanted to take the kids to a couple of the Shakespeare in the Park products here, but were not sure if they would handle that length of time in a seat or a blanket on the lawn. 

But last night Slater soaked it all in.  He sat on the edge of his seat as soon as the lights dimmed.  Quietly whispering questions about the music, the lights, the fog machine, and the actors on the stage.  Who were the kids up there?  Can I wear flowers in my hair?  Can I have that stick?  Look he is a wall! He is silly!  My arm was used as a shield to ward off Oberon and I had to pull him back (several times) from heading up the aisle to join the cast, but what a wonderful evening. 

When the play was over he walked around giving all the beautiful "butterflies" / fairies hugs.  He braved going up to a couple of Oberon's followers, but still didn't want anything to do with Oberon himself.  Spotting the fools he covered his mouth and giggled out-loud, then ran over to take a closer look at "the wall".   At one point he even tried to get into a cast photo, or maybe he just wanted a closer look at Bottom's sword :)

Can't wait for the next production!

Snow that stays!

Working on her first snowman

A little more on the top

My snow angel! - You can link to the one from last year!

Completed!!

Two little pumpkins ...

Slater did the one on the left and jade picked out the cat design on the right

It was so much easier to get a shot of the pumpkins

I love my sister!!

Caught in the act

Mom is in the other room ...

If I am really quick ...

I can be up and down before she knows it ... she did not count on digital evidence

In case anyone is wondering - I would NOT allow her to climb up there for the sake of a picture, big brother had the camera and took these shots. 

Old friends, the kind we will never forget and don't remember meeting

This morning started early ... 6am early.  For some of you this may not seem early and after a child who regularly arose at 5:30am I am not sure why this is early to me, but it shows that the mommy brain forgets the bad and remembers the cute, silly and fun.

Back to this morning, Slater had a nightmare, he was crying and thrashing.  Holding and rocking him helped, but he was scared and worried.  He kept saying "I can't find her, I lost her."  Since I still believed that I am always the person he is looking for, I said "I'm here sweetie."  He just kept crying, then he said, "I can't find my Evelyn."  Sweetness - he was looking for his friend, a child whose friendship goes so far back he will never remember meeting her.  I hope in twenty or thirty years they are still friends.

Never jump into a pile of leaves with a wet sucker!

There is so much joy in childhood

Laughing it up at the antics of big brother

Moments I will hold in my heart forever - I hope they will always be this happy.

Summer two in the fort

Silly smile

Big girl on the slide!

Last summer we built this fort and it has seen playtime, been a fortress, a picnic site, a toy box and a site for 20 kids to climb during the pig roast.  This is one of those place where I want to get a picture each year and enjoy all the little changes that happen with my babies.