Playing (in) the field

Yesterday, Michelle came to work sore and hobbling. She'd fallen down the stairs that morning and hurt her back. She was fine to work, but had a hard time lifting Clair or doing too much more than basic care.

So even though it was one of the first truly nice spring days we've had since forever, I knew she didn't take the kids outside to play. Which meant that I was determined to get them at least some outdoor time before bedtime.

So as SOON as I got home from work, I threw the first hat I could find on Clair's unmade head, put the boys' play shoes on and drove them to the field across the street from their school. I forgot to even change my shoes, I was in such a hurry.

My shoes ended up covered in mud. Cary's pants are dirt-stained and ruined. I forgot to bring tissues so I had to wipe Clair's constantly running nose with the hood of her fleece. (No judgment!)

But it was totally worth it.

We kicked, threw and bounced their balls all over the field. We could be as loud as we wanted! And we pretended to be baseball players, standing on the pitcher's mound, and running around the bases. (Well, Dean and I ran around the bases. Cary ran diagonally across the field and Clair stood at 1st base and screamed, "Mommy, come baaaaack!")

 Batterrrrrrrup!

The kids spied a huge tree stump and said, "Can we climb that?" This is how Cary's light khaki pants got covered in tree-trunk-ickiness.

We walked to the stream and tried to throw sticks into it, but I got nervous about them falling to their deaths (or at least falling and getting wet and gross) in the stream, so we headed back.

And we left our mark on the near-empty field, so the world would know we came and we conquered.

On the way home, Clair picked up a dandelion, sniffed it and said, "Mmmm. Mells like oatmeal!" And I cracked up!

When I told my Dad later, he said, "What kind of oatmeal do y'all buy?" LOL.

At home, Lester threw the Dirty Dudes and Dudette in the tub, while I got dinner ready. The kids were STARVING and ate their food without any cajoling.  (Tip for getting kids to eat dinner: Withhold food until the last minute! #winning!)

And right after dinner, we tossed them in their beds and they were out like lights!

Bedtime was a little late because we didn't get home from the field until 7 and then we had to get all three bathed and lotioned and pajamed.

But I don't care. It was a great time out exploring and climbing and just doing whatever they wanted to do.

Can't wait for more days like this, now that this neverending winter finally seems gone for good.

Yay for spring!