Backyard Roses

By June 1st, our house in Kansas was under contract, so the kids and I headed back to Manhattan to get the house ready for inspection.  I also started to get extremely sentimental about our time at that house.  Every little thing was starting to choke me up, and I became determined to soak in the things we loved the most.  Like our backyard, for example.  What a beautiful place our Kansas backyard has been.  Trees and flowers everywhere with so much room to run and play.  Oh how I will miss that glorious backyard.

Forced pictures of my kids in front of favorite backyard spots are a must.

Go ahead and walk around barefoot, but don't be surprised if you wind up with deer poop on your feet.

It was love at first sight with our rose bushes.  I still remember the first time I saw them.  Our eyes met, and I knew we'd have an amazing relationship.

It's been awesome, roses, but I'm guessing your new owners will trim you.

My kids.  Pink roses gone crazy.  The picnic table Daddy built.  Heck yeah I'm gonna miss it.

Thank goodness Daddy was there for a few days to bring me back to reality.

Bubble Fun

Sometimes it's fun to find a shady spot in the backyard and blow bubbles...until someone dumps out the entire bottle.  But it sure is fun while it lasts, and I do so love little bubble blowing faces.

Outfit selection by Rose.  And yes, that is her first birthday pettiskirt.

My sweet sweet Dale is always bringing me flowers and pretty things.  Lately I've been receiving lots and lots of dandelions, but on this afternoon in our backyard, Dale also brought me a heart shaped leaf.  I love my baby Dale, as I will always affectionately call him.

Yard Work and Play

It's such a rare treat to have both Monga and Grandma and Grandpa Rice in the same place at the same time.  Rose and Dale felt so special, and we were so grateful for all the yard help.

Grandma and Monga planted colorful flowers on the deck, while Daddy and Grandpa worked on our giant lawn.

Grandma's little helpers.

Dale made his own little garden out of trash.  I think he really thought it would grow.

Once all the yard work was done, it was time to play, and boy do my kids like to play.

Imaginary Play

In our backyard the kids become engrossed in imaginary play.  I have no idea what Dale plays, but he loves using sticks, cars, loud noises and sharp swift movements.

Rose alternates back and forth between her swing chair and her kitty.

I couldn't catch a good photo of Dale, because he was running around like a madman.  So this is what I got when I asked him to please please please stand still for one picture.

This is the "Mommy-is-taking-my-picture-but-I-really-want-to-run-away" face.

Patio Picnic

March 8, 2013

March began with a cold bang, but in all its fury there were one or two days that were calm and mild.  We jumped on the chance to feel the sun on our faces and headed outside for lunch.

There was one problem though:  a fly.  Obviously Rose doesn't recall what comes with the sun and warmth, because this tiny fly would not leave her alone, and it devastated her.

Rose was downright terrified of the tiny fly.  Dale tried to teach his sister the "shoo" technique.

Once lunch was over, Dale immediately started building a dream world that involved two cars, a red chair, some rocks, leaves, sticks and other assorted outdoor items.

As usual Rose was all over the place, but she did pull our two chairs together, just like we did last summer, and say, "Mommy, sit here."

Deep in play.

Rose found her legless kitty again.

The frisbees came out again too.

Then Rose remembered her swing.  Oh how she adores swinging.

And oh how Dale adores large sticks.

Tickles in the Snow

Daddy came home for a short visit, and since he wanted to spend some time in the backyard, so did we.  Dale helped Daddy by raking the snow.

Snow farmer Dale.

Rose had a different approach with the snow.  She chose to throw it her innocent mother instead.

And she thought it was hilarious.

Then the tickle war began.  Mark and I use it as a tactic to keep the kids entertained in the backyard.  We hand them a "tickle stick" and start running.  It works every time.

Dale and Rose got Daddy good.

This is what the kids look like when they are chasing after you with their torture devices "tickle sticks."

Happy determination.

Rainy Day

One rainy afternoon when Monga, Sara and Lily were visiting, I snuck outside with Rose alone, so we could have some quiet rain time.  The rain was misty and cold, and it woke up my senses again, making me feel renewed.  Rose was quite happy stomping around the yard in her pink horsey jacket, examining deer poop and playing in the mud.

But then we were discovered, and things weren't so quiet anymore.