Babysoroos

Two weeks ago, it was still summer. So on a Tuesday afternoon when our swimming lesson was cancelled because the instructor was sick, we headed to the beach instead.

We started out mostly playing in the sand, with driftwood, and paddling in the shallow water.

But pretty soon there was splashing and sitting and reaching down and falling in. And the t-shirts came off.

The weather was warm, the water not so much. But the kids didn’t care. (I suppose it wasn’t too cold, really. If you’re 4.)

Ben was running and JUMPING into the water. He was getting soaked and making big splashes and having a great time.

Timothy was stomping around, investigating what was on the bottom. Picking up sand and rocks (YOCK!) and dropping them. Conducting very important scientific experiments, you know.

It was a great alternative to a swim lesson!

… means we get the pool out.

And the boys, of course, get naked, dump sand in it, and start driving trucks and planes around the edges.

Why, what else would you do in a pool of water?

A windy but warm morning at the park…

Lots of laughter.

Flying, sliding, and “Zing?”

Riding and climbing (Timothy’s adventurous but seems to know his limits… he went back up after this.)

And swinging.

And an hour later it started to rain for the rest of the day. Glad we got out when we did!

Ben has wanted to ride a bus for a long time, so on Monday, his birthday, he and Timothy and I took a bus trip into Langley. He was cute. Looking around in wonder, asking what everything was for, and thoroughly enjoying himself.

We went to the thrift store (he loves playing in the toy area), the library, and then we got ice cream cones. Cones are a newly discovered treat for him, usually we’ve just done bowls. He manages pretty well really, not too messy.

Timothy, on the other hand, does not quite grasp the purpose of the cone. Yes, there are bites out of the side of it and he’s trying to eat the bottom.

Then we went for a walk on the beach in town.

Looks beautiful, huh? Idyllic, even?

Yeah. What you can’t see is that that sand sinks. When you step on it.

It wasn’t quite so dramatic for the boys, being lighter than me, but when they started getting too far out there towards the water and I had to go after them for peace of mind, I started sinking up to my knees in the sand. My knees.

At that point, I got a little freaked out and we left. Got up into town and sat down to read library books for a few minutes while mama’s heart calmed down, then went to buy new balloons to replace some that flew away at the birthday party.

Then we went home (Daddy picked us up, I wasn’t quite willing to ride the bus home too, what with balloons and library books and other errands, and a once-every-two-hours schedule) and he got his choice of dinner — curry. Because with curry comes raita, and raita is really yogurt, and the boy could eat yogurt for every meal if it was allowed.

I think it was a good birthday.

We were at the park today with a group of friends. Lots of chatting and catching up. I looked up at one point to see Timothy going down the curly slide all on his own! And then, he repeatedly climbed up some stairs and went down this big slide alone too!

Over and over and looking so proud of himself.

When did he get so big?

I have a couple of child laborers around here. But rather than forcing them to work, sometimes it’s hard to get them to stop!

But, you know, little boys, summer, basin of soapy water….. it’s a recipe for fun.

Today Ben mopped my kitchen floor. All by himself. Last time I tried to do it, there were three of us fighting over the mop: me, because I wanted to “do it right”; Ben, because he wanted a turn; and Timothy, because if Ben wanted a turn, it must be good. This time, I gave Ben his turn first while I did something else, and before I knew it, he’d finished the whole thing! The floor might not be perfect, but it’s better than it was when I was avoiding cleaning it so I didn’t have to fight over the mop. And he didn’t flood the place, so that’s a bonus!

After we all recovered from the bug, we did manage to enjoy ourselves somewhat.

These are koi fish in a pond where the kids can feed them at the Des Moines zoo. They were seriously so densely packed that it looked like they were climbing over each other, even out of the water, to get to the food.

More pictures of this on Eric’s blog here, here and here.

Timothy loved the sandpit in the kids’ area.

Both of them loved running in and out of these tunnels into/under the prairie dog exhibit. Tim had a little easier time of it since he could stand up. 🙂

And of course, since there was a train, we had to take a train ride. Both of them enjoyed that.

Then there was some fun at the park in Indianola, too, one day.

Climbing and jumping….

Swinging and sliding….

And little brother wanting to imitate big brother in everything.

A few days ago, Timothy refused to nap. Absolutely refused. Then demanded to be pushed in the swing.

A little while later…..

Sound asleep.

But this time, something different.

We made cheesecake, and since we needed crushed graham crackers for the crust, I put some boys who love hammering to work.

They enjoyed themselves, the cheesecakes (little individual sized ones) were delicious. Sorry, no photos before they all got eaten. What was I thinking?

I’m sure we’ll do it again soon, it was a hit all around.