The Front Yard Zoo

Almost every afternoon, the boys and I hang out in the front yard for several hours between nap and dinnertime. We play sports, ride bikes, climb trees or run races while Wells crawls around and eats dirt. The other day though, Cullen and Bennett decided they wanted to make a zoo. We've gone to the National Zoo twice in the past 3 weeks, so I guess they just had Monkeys on the brain. 

 Cullen made tickets for all of us and then the two of them went running through the house to find all the stuffed animals they could. Wells and I had to stay inside and wait until they were done and the zoo was 'open'. My ticket had an 'M' for Mommy, the word 'zoo' and and 'T' for ticket. 

First up was the snake house.

 Then the super friendly lions.

The Blue Bears

(Also very friendly)

And then we got a very special talk about Monkeys from the Zoo Keeper.

 Finally, my favorite exhibit of all- the elephants and one super cute giraffe. 

I love it when my boys use their imagination and invite me to be part of their world. Can't wait to visit the Front Yard Zoo again!

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Thanks for all your well wishes to Cullen on his first day of school. He absolutely loves it! And the only other tears this week were actually at school when he found out his Mass Buddy (they go to church on Fridays and have an older student who they will sit with each week) is a GIRL. The horror. 

Otherwise, he is doing great!

The Simple Things

Sometimes, there are days when the big picture is a bit overwhelming, so it is focusing on the little beautiful moments that make my heart sing.

Like my favorite flowers popping up every where (and all the people who have text, emailed and tagged me in pics of daffodils- I love it!)

And my sweet lacrosse players who are going to be so annoyed the first day of their real practice (in 2 and 4 years) that the other kids don't know how to play yet. 

Climbing trees,

A baby's first wagon ride,

 Three boys chatting over lunch,

And of course, in Wells' awesome electrifying hair and super rolly polly body. 

The simple things and wine keep us sane, don't they?

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Side note: 

April is the Month of the Military Child and I want to do a link up next week, let's say Thursday, for all of us with, thinking about having, who have appreciation for and/or were raised as military children. Any type of post that deals with your experience with or appreciation for the Military Child will be welcome.

Promise I won't be the only one linking up?