Jacob, Ethan, and Grace have been outside almost all day. They even ate lunch out there. I’m looking out the window right now and I see Grace and Jacob riding their bikes back from the dam and Ethan running with their bag of picnic food. The picnic is over, apparently. It’s a springlike day with bright sunshine.
I went out for a little bit with David and Caleb. I have struggles when I take them out; keeping track of David is tough, he goes all over the place, and at 5 years old, is still not able to be sensible when it comes to danger. His biggest fault is disappearing back into the house without me seeing him go. Very Irritating indeed. Caleb needs constant help, so I am usually holding his hand and yelling to David to either wait up or catch up.
Today we looked at the stream for a while. By the way, when I was growing up we called it a “creek” –pronounced “crick”. Does anyone else pronounce it that way? I live in a different area now, and no one, that I know of, says “crick” so we say “stream” to be on the safe side. After we watched the water for a while (and Grace surprised me by asking if she could go swimming in it!!!!) we decided to go for a walk to the dam. David brought along a ball and bat.
Not too far into the walk, Caleb got ahead of me and walked into some mud. Ethan tried to help him, got his feet stuck, dropped Caleb, and lost his shoes. Caleb was so mad. He was covered from the backside down with black icy cold mud. I had all the kids around me and we all wondered what to do? I ended up running back to the house to get a new pair of pants for him, socks, and a pair of Grace’s old boots. Ethan had to come as well, to get some dry boots on. I think his sneakers are still in the black mud.
Here I am, changing Caleb’s pants, socks, and shoes. Jacob took the picture.
These are the moments (I’ve had lots and lots like this) that have made me a “for the most part” patient mommy.
He did a good job at holding onto his sticks during the wardrobe change. LOL
It took me a while to get the boots on his feet! Isn’t he cute?
Eventually we got him all set (his dirty pants and shoes are still in the woods, oops) and arrived at the dam.
The boys played some ball.
I joined in.
And Grace aired out her wet boots and curled up in the sunshine. She was listening to the birds.
Now that I’m back inside (and the 4 older kids are jumping on the trampoline) I am going to continue with laundry and cleaning. I also wanted to write a few letters. Caleb is watching a Thomas video and looking sleepier and sleepier. Rich is coming home early so that he can take me to the DMV to renew my driver’s license. I still intend to teach the kids school, too. I’ve been so busy lately, it’s no wonder I’m usually sound asleep by 9:30. Last night I fell asleep on the couch before 9. Busy days full of all kinds of adventure!
Today is special because it feels like spring. We’ve been pretty much stuck in the house and it felt good to get outside. Makes me look forward to when warm weather comes to stay.
I just checked on the little one and he was doing this:
Naptime!
Good to be Home 
My girls we were out in the sunshine this morning too…riding bikes and going for nature walks. I had to finally be the meanie at lunch and say no to the picnic and that they had to do schoolwork after lunch. I have to go to work in less than an hour so if I didn’t crack the whip we wouldn’t have gotten anything done.
But I SO much wanted to go out in the sun! By the way I now say creek the way it is spelled – like the creak in a floor! No more crick for me either.
ohhh ~ a nap sounds so good to me right now, but I really should do something more productive. Yes, we always said “crick” when I was a girl, but somewhere along the line to middle age, I began to say “creek” ~ not sure why I changed ~
Wish I was there too…see you this weekend????
very sweet You are so right, those things we think of as “interuptions” are the very building blocks to further our character development. Isn’t God good to give us such delightful things as children on which to learn patience?
what a fun morning! It is sunny here too! Not warm, but I am still thankful too see the sun! =)
Oh what a sweetheart falling asleep like that. That age is so cute!
Here in Oregon we say crick a lot.
I grew up calling it a crik, still do. Your weather looks so wonderful! You can see the ground. Our ground is burried under many feet of snow yet, and the snow just keeps coming. Rather depressing this time of year, but at least we are getting more daylight. I just came in from moving vehicles so that the plow man could plow our driveway. I shoveled the porch and sidewalk while I was out there. I like your new profile pic, by the way. I’ve been looking for a new red top. You look very cute in yours!
Looks like a lovely day indeed. I wish I could get out there, too. Have a good afternoon.
Awww, so fun to see you in some of the pictures…I love the ones of you ministering to Caleb and getting him all cleaned up. Wow, this time of year you go back and forth…snow one week and spring like conditions the next. Glad you got out in it. We use stream or creek here….there is usually some kind of drainage whereever we live. We can hear bullfrogs now from our house but can only guess where they are in the open space down hill from us. It is posted no trespassing…though we do see people wander through with their dogs….so not so good for exploring. So nice you have woods, streams, and fields. That means mud too, huh? Hope you find all the pieces of shoes and clothes.
I have been fighting something and have swollen glands under my ears…I need strength to clean our friends house today. I usually do it as a little extra job. He is out of town and has appraisers coming in the morning so skipping it is not an option. Just have math to do with David still today. He will probably come with me to help Nice having big boys that can help! God bless you, Jenny
The sunshine is certainly lifting my spirits today. We’ve had a busy day, so we haven’t been able to be out in it as much as I would have liked.I loved your description what happened to Caleb and how you dealt with it. I think I would have gotten aggravated and gave up.I love the pics of playing baseball on the still-brown grass. Can’t wait for spring…
I’d call it a creek. Your post gives me spring fever. It was actually quite nice here today too.
Yup yup yup, “crick” is how we still say it! I love the picture of you helping Caleb put on the pink boots! Enjoy the weather….school can wait….they need to burn their energy!!
You have an awesome ball park. That is wonderful for the children! I would have declared today as “Field Day” and documented all the physical activitythat took place…Oh, and “Health and Fitness.” See, you did have school today. I’m happy that the sun was shining for you all. I loved the look on Caleb’s face as he watched you put on his boot. So cute.
I love that you played baseball with them!! So wonderful about Gee laying in the sun, it was beautiful here as well, comforting and warm.
It sure does look like ya’ll were having a bunch of FUN today!!! Suz
What a wonderful day you had with your little ones!I would have loved to have ‘aired out my wet boots’, then curl up in the sunshine, and listen to the birds, myself!We’ve had a cold, cloudy day, and a winter storm warning is in effect for Friday, and Saturday!To be honest, I’m hoping for lots of snow … then, finally, maybe I’ll be able to get my boots wet! :o)Seems everyone has had lots more snow than we have this year!Thank you for sharing your day with us … great photos!
I love how Caleb can fall asleep like that! I guess b/c he’s the youngest, he’s had to learn to be flexible. 🙂
it looks like such a sweet, wonderful day. I am so glad you included the “struggles” too LOL. My littlest (only boy) is also 5, he also has no concept of danger or boundries. He is getting much better but can not be left alone outside for sure. He has the ADHD “label” by school standards but I still vote that he is just “super smart” and “super curious”. He is the MOST fun/ funny child you could imagine (also the most explosive). If this is “ADHD” then sign me up lol.
XoXO~Amy
FUN FUN FUN! I just took some nyquil and soon I’m going to be looking like Caleb if I don’t get myself to bed! I loved all the pictures! You’re such a great Mom Shan!
Sweet little pics.
Oh how cute he is sleeping! I love it when they do that, it melts my heart. Looks like lots of fun at your house. Enjoy the weather!
I grew up calling it crick too. We loved to drink crick tea, which we now call mint tea.
Your kids will always remember mommy playing ball with them. I remember my mom doing that with my sisters and I out in our back field. She probably did it only one time, but it’s a warm memory.
Wow! What a change from your recent snow pictures! Looks like an enjoyable day!
Oh, that looked like so much fun. I can so relate to going through situations that make you a patient mommy. Not a day goes by that Cole does not do something that will cause me to practice patience!! I never know what will happen from day to day with him. Going outside with Morgan and Cole is challenging for me as well. I am always having to be rigtht on top of Cole close to Morgan. It can be very tiring. Take it easy and try to get some “you” time soon. I love the fact that you are playing ball, looks like fun.
Oh, yes, the “crick”!! I grew up in northern IN with the crick running through our farm. But somehow over the years, I now call it a “creek”! I think it happened before we moved south though!
(“Creeeeeek” from CA. Crick in SC.) You go girl, swinging that bat. Some of my happiest moments were spent playing ball with my kids! But I have to tell you I loved (!!!) the picture of Grace and her boots listening to birds.. How precious a girl must she be to do that!!! HUGS to all.
I spent some of my childhood in WV, and the hillbillies there call it “crick”. But we never did; as we were transplanted Ozark hillbillies from “Missour-uh”. I think you are so blessed to have a crick on your property.
I’d like to curl up in the sunshine next to Grace!
I just love all the outdoor space you have there!!!!Caleb is adorable falling asleep to his train movies:) I bet he dreamed about it too:)