Outside

This is the perfect time of year to be outside and enjoy the perfect weather.  This past week has been gorgeous and we are soaking it up!! My kids love to be outside and when you say that word to Nolan he starts heading to the door.  Everyday after school we head outside to play with our neighbor friends.  It is so healthy for the kids to get out and play after school.  The kids are good about coming in when it is time.  They are also good about sitting down and hitting the homework and piano hard knowing that they were able to play after school.  They know that playing with neighbors is a privilege.  One afternoon we had to laugh at all the little tyke cars out driving around.  We even had the gas station where they could stop for a fill up.  Lucy loves being the oldest and playing with the younger kids, such a little mother.

After dinner one night we made ice cream cones and ate them out on the deck.  Nolan didn't know what to do with his and wouldn't even try to hold it.  I thought he would love it and go to town eating it.  We eventually got a spoon and feed him a few bites.  He made some funny faces since it was so cold.  We loved having a fun treat after dinner, it hit the spot!

Garrett and Jackson are such buddies and we love Jackson and his family.  They have been searching for bugs together.  They have overturned almost all my small rocks in my flower beds looking for worms and rolly pollies.  I am guessing this is a boy thing because they are in heaven.  Jackson has a tree in his backyard with worms on it and they have collected a ton.  I wont let them come into my yard and always send Garrett back over to empty his bug catcher in Jackson's backyard.  Jackson has a power wheel and my kids love driving it.  Eli also has one, he has a John Deere one and when they both come out the kids go crazy driving around.

 Pretty typical scene in our little cul-de-sac.  We love our neighbors and it has been fun to become such good friends with them.  Our kids play so well together which makes it enjoyable.  We have had so much fun rotating backyards playing soccer, catching bugs and playing catch.  We feel comfortable telling each others kids to go home when it is time and have no problem saying no and letting their parents know if something needs to be addressed.  We enjoy sharing snacks and having a good time together just being kids!  To me this is what is so fun about living in a fun family neighborhood.     

 Nolan loves to bear crawl around outside.  He loves to be pushed around in his stroller, walk behind toys and be pushed around in his car.  He will soon be walking which will change things up because I am sure he will think he is a big kid.  He loves participating and also just watching everything.  He gets to take lots of baths because he gets pretty dirty playing outside.  One day he was talking to his reflection in the bathtub and it was really cute.

I love the socializing just as much as the kids.  I have prepped dinner earlier in the afternoon knowing that we will be outside playing pretty much until dinner time.  I need to get out just as much as the kids.  Hanging out with other mom's here isn't like it has been for me in the past.  There are no walking groups here like in my BYU days.  There isn't a mothers group like the SCO days.  Socializing with other moms is different here.  Especially with a small child who doesn't need big activities during the day.  I feel much better being able to get out and visit with my neighbors and friends. They don't judge me, they help me out when I need things and are there to listen to me and offer advice when asked.  It has been just as important to me to build relationships as it is for my kids.  I am so thankful for them and the friendship they have brought me.