Backyard Play with the Rices

Back in June we had the Rices over for some sprinkler and Popsicle fun in the sun. The girls love their Dale and Rose and I love my Wendy. It's always so nice to have a chance to sit down and watch our kids wear each other out!

Elizabeth was pretty new to standing, and showed off her new skill lots while watching the big kids play.

When Addison was done playing in the water, she went inside and put together this great outfit, finished off with upside down sunglasses (her time-tested signature style) and Rose's blue sparkle shoes.

Dudette's tired

Standing!!

Spring into Joy

Spring is my favorite season. The days are getting longer, the sun is shining warmer, and best of all, the Earth is coming alive again. The buds on the trees are little miracles, so much life packed into a tiny pod. Some buds are smooth, their shells looking like insect wings. Some are fuzzy and soft, resembling little caterpillars. Some contain leaves waiting for the perfect moment to unfurl, some hide blossoms, pink and white. But the new life of spring isn't just in the trees. Green leaves poke up from the earth, soaking up sunshine for the tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and lilies that wait below. Robins hop in the yard, searching for worms. Squirrels come to visit, especially after snacks have been taken outside.

Emily takes a sip for herself between watering the lilac bushes

Emily and Elizabeth lay in the crunchy winter grass

Addie brings her notebook outside to write notes in the sun

Water Play in the Backyard

One hot but slightly overcast Tuesday in early July, I decided it was time to pull out all the stops, go hog wild, and bring out all the yard toys at once and have a big ol water party in the backyard. I haven't done it again since, but re-watching these videos inspires me to do it again before the summer's over. We had a pretty darn good time.

Addie immediately went to her old favorite, while Emily explored the new crabby territory

Crab sandbox (this year to be used exclusively as a swimming pool) and platform slide courtesy of Craigslist

Telling secrets over starfish and watering cans

Lovin' the new slide

Good Ol Waterfall

Ladybug!

This is just the right depth!

Taking it apart, again, in order to figure out how it works

Water, Bird Pants, and Pigtails, Oh My!

Thank you, Wendy, for this amazingly cute photo! 

Getting three little girls to look at the camera simultaneously is very difficult, but watching them play is easy as pie.

We started with all three on the porch step, hoping to get that magical-all-three-smiling shot.

Look this way, Girls!

Rose just wanted to play in the water, so we tried moving it closer to the camera

 But then Addie was on the move, and it was goodbye porch steps!

Emily was happy to sit and ham it up on her own, though.

 Then we decided it was time for some serious water play.

We love you, Rose and Wendy!