Donuts with Daddy

Mommy was at a brunch/baby shower for a friend, so what do the boys do? They walk to Quince for a donut date. 

Stopping to pose along the way. Micah was wearing a much too big sweatshirt because it was a bit chilly and Brian couldn't find something that was his size. At least they're warm and smiling!

It's so nice to have a quaint bakery within walking distance of our house. It's come in handy on more than one occasion. It's just the right distance for a morning trike ride or walk!

I love donuts!

The first time we ate here, Mason picked a bottle of cranberry juice. It was too sour for him, so now he picks apple. And it's rare to stop for donuts without a bottle of apple juice being purchased as well. It's become part of the treat for Mason!

There's other food as well and it's all tasty, but our favorite thing to get is donuts! Why mess with a good thing?!

Beautiful day for the Arboretum

With not much to do on this particular day, I decided it was time to pack lunch and head to the arboretum. We haven't been there enough this summer and I knew Mason would be so excited to run around and explore, and go down the big slide!

The first thing Mason and Micah wanted to do when we got there was check out the slide area. They love climbing on the rocks and going through the tunnels.

I was able to convince them that we should eat lunch first and then explore. Mason was happy to sit on a rock in the sun and chat with me while we ate.

Micah enjoyed the freedom of walking around with his food!

We found a nice bench to sit on and enjoyed the view.

Mason just loves the amphitheater area, especially the black speakers that are permanently set up near the front. Micah enjoyed climbing up and down the steps and walking along the rows of seats.

Happy boy!

Beautiful flowers and gardens.

There are various seats like this that I wanted to get pictures of Mason sitting on. His interest in sitting and posing spiraled downward as the day went on.

The seat was too hot for him to sit for more than a second!

There were several frogs in this pond that we had fun watching.

After walking around most of the grounds, we put the stroller back in the car and made our way back to the play/slide area.

Love these two boys and all the time we spend together! It's especially fun to have afternoons like this: walking around, exploring, and enjoying time together...slowly, without rushing and no agenda.

Why not put rocks in the hole?!

Such a great natural play area!

Finally, the slide! Mason's the pinkish dot at the top.

And here's that pinkish dot at the bottom of the slide. And he was off again to run up the steps and do it again.

Micah kept busy climbing the stairs from the bottom to the top. He loved it!

Going down the slide together! Micah thought it was pretty fun and was happy for a reason to climb the stairs again!

A stop for ice cream on the way home... a perfect ending to all the fun! Except for the mess Micah becomes when he eats ice cream. I had to leave my "no sticky, no mess, no ice cream on the hands or shirt" mentality in the car!

Mason had no trouble with his cone, but I think I was left holding two sticky, melting cones after both boys had their fill of ice cream.

Another Thursday...

Mason's second day of preschool...

A little sunny, but he was just as excited to go as the first day!

Playtime outside after lunch. (Micah - aka smoothie stealer.) We're actually sitting under the trees in Lance and Krista's yard because it's just nice and shady there. Again, I don't know how many times I can say it...best neighbor's ever!

Reading Freight Train.

Snuggling in Mason's bed after he woke up from nap. Micah loves Sammy dog!

Dinner on the patio. Brian is notorious for filling the boy's plates just a little too full. He has a hard time remembering that they don't have a grown man's appetite! ;) Mason reminds us that "daddy just gave me too much!"

Brian's garden helper.

Making use of the sand pile.

A nightly jaunt down he sidewalk. I'd love to know how many miles the scooter that Micah is pushing has seen. It is well loved, and well used. One of the wheels is just a few shreds from falling off, but so far it's still going strong! We got it as a hand-me-down from Karey and Myah. It's been a favorite in our house!

Bike ride, anyone?!

Summer Day :: early August

Mason has been going to story time at the library since he was about a year old. He's always enjoyed it and especially enjoys participating in craft time, usually because glue sticks are involved! 

This day was his last time of going to story time (cue the sad tears!) because he'll start preschool in the fall.

Micah and I wait in the main library while the story time librarian reads books for the first few minutes, then we go in to help with the craft, and then go back out. Micah enjoys pulling books off shelves and playing with the train table and other toys.

Posing for his last story time wearing his name tag and holding his craft project and books he picked out.

We often stay to play for a few minutes after the other kids leave.

After the library, we made a stop at the Froese house for lunch and run through the sprinkler. Mason thought this little chair was just perfect!

Perfect day, beautiful setting, and happy, carefree boys makes for lots of fun!

I was surprised just how much Mason enjoyed the sprinkler! Normally he doesn't like water on his head or face, but this didn't seem to bother him.

After naps, we played outside like we do on most days. Micah looks like he's pretty focused on a horse and buggy on the road.

Mason enjoyed pushing the garden cart around the driveway and even wanted to go for a walk with it.

We walked down the sidewalk to Lehman's and he had to stop for a rest!

Just a normal Thursday!

Here's a look at a usual summer morning for mommy, Mason and Micah... We love warm, sunny mornings with nowhere to go and no time limit or schedule. I love being able to take it easy, do what the boys want, and stop to "smell the flowers" along the way. 

 We went for a run, and stopped to look at the cattle grazing in the pasture on a country road near our house. If you look closely, there's a bull right in the center that has a weird contraption on his face. Micah loves to look at cows!

 We went several miles on this day and turned down another quiet road. Mason loves finding windmills on the Amish farms and I love the surroundings and views (and lack of traffic) on the back roads.

 Heading towards home and stopping for a picture at one of my favorite views. I love running these roads. I never get tired of the sights, sounds, and smells of summer in Kidron!

 Back home to play. Mason wanted to pull Micah in the wagon, and we decided to walk downtown since the Kidron Auction was in full swing today. Micah was a happy, content passenger and enjoyed pointing out various things as we went down the sidewalk.

 Micah loves to watch cattle sell in the auction ring. He gets impatient when the for sale cow is herded out the right door and there's no new sale cow coming in the left. He points and squeals at the door until it opens and a cow's face appears.

 We walked around and looked at the sheep and goats and then Mason needed a drink.

Then we made a stop at the pig barn before heading home. Mason posed so sweetly next to the pigs and we sent the picture to daddy (at work doing accounting) to ask him if he missed seeing (and hearing!) pigs every day!

Summer days are the best! These are the days I look forward to all year!