361 The Great Outdoors

The weather has been gorgeous ... you know, when it isn't pouring rain and threatening tornadoes out there... so we have been trying to spend some time outside. Playing in the backyard, trips to the park behind our house, or hanging out on the deck.

My peony was gorgeous ... WAS ... stupid rain and wind has beat her up. And of course, I have been checking out the dandelions. Down on all fours ... well, threes... I have to hold the camera after all.

I even pulled out the ol' Argus for some TtV shotsOH ... and a pic or two of the kids when I can convince them to stay still long enough to click the shutter. Which doesn't happen very often ... especially with Katie!!Yesterday I took the kids out to the park so that Chip could yell at Call of Duty without us distracting him. Mostly the kids ran around, picking honeysuckle and climbing all over the play equipment, but I did manage to get them to stay still for a few milli-seconds. And no, I did NOT ask Katie to pose like this. She decided to turn into a little ham for the four pictures she deigned to let me shoot. Poor girl, still has a mark from the Hula Hoop Incident.Katie has obviously been trying to teach Connor how to "SMILE" ... e have GOT to break him out of this FAST! I don't think I can take two cheeseballs!Ok, that is better ... maybe if I took the macro lens off ... I am happy to report that Winn Dixie is still alive and well... and thankfully living with his actual owners. Katie and Connor still get to play with him out at the park and when he wanders by the house, but I don't have to deal with a dog.And, what do I do while the kids play? I take pictures of weeds and park debris. Pausing to run and help Connor slide down the fireman's pole or do the monkey bars. He tends to forget he can't actually fly if he falls off the platform. I was having fun with the macro, which is a must since most of the park "flowers" are tiny tiny things.And I couldn't leave out the honeysuckle. Katie loves it. I know I did when I was a kid, too .. but now I look at it and think ALL THAT WORK FOR A TINY DROP!!!And when dealing with the outdoors you are also dealing with insects. They love making cameo appearances. From the smallest of little flies...Little ladybugsAnd super freaky caterpillars. This one looks REALLY exotic but it just turns into a plain brown moth. It is called a Rusty Tussock Moth-cat. Katie took it into school today to show off.

I hope everyone else is experiencing some wonderful weather and time outside. Fresh air seems to be re-opening my creativity. I hope ...

358 Wordless Wednesday #1

I have seen these posts frequently and always meant to join in ... oh wait, I am being too verbose ...

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh :)

When the wind makes a wish I wonder what it wishes for ....

215

The weather has been gorgeous, and we have been spending a good bit of our time outside. I have the sunburn to prove it. I go outside with the intention of only staying a moment, but then I get sidetracked by the kids or the weeds. Next thing I know, it has been an hour and my skin is starting to feel tight. Lucky for me, a few hours later it is usually back to normal. Don't worry, the kids DO get slathered in sunscreen.

I am short on time, and brainpower, this morning so I will let the pictures do most of the talking.

On Thursday, we explored the tiny things in the yard. We talked on the phone.

We sat under the umbrella in the shade.

We snuggled.

On Friday, we waited for the iris to bloom. we shared a bag of chips. On Saturday, we celebrated our Seven Year Anniversary. I got my donuts, and Chip got his bacon, and all was well in the world.

We threw the football.The iris bloomed. Thanks for the anniversary present Granddaddy!
I took the kids to Memphis Rock-N-Romp! We had a fabulous time!

We played in the sand.

Connor tried to fit in with the "big boys". We listened to some great music.

Saturday night, Connor kept bringing me the poster paints, and I kept putting them back. So ....

On Sunday, we painted.

Connor created his own method by painting the paintbrushes, with the other paintbrush.

Connor thought the paint looked yummy, but it was NOT.

Much of the painted ended up on Connor.On Sunday night, Chip and I had our first date in about three years. We went to Texas de Brazil and it was DELICIOUS! I loved the salad bar, Chip loved the large amounts of meat.

Thank you Charity for watching my hooligans for me!