Painting and Playing

We had a few projects to do at the barn one day afterschool.  Harper was wanting to paint like us, so we let her paint with some old house paint and an old flower pot.  I didn't really intend to do anything with it, but she painted it pretty well, so we are going to let her plant some flowers in it.  I will admit that I don't know what I was thinking, letting her paint in her clothes.  It didn't take long before I stripped her naked and let her paint.  Eventually, she got tired and wanted to sit, so she found a box.  Cute girl.  She just kept painting and painting and we did have to smooth over some parts that were an inch thick with paint.  But she did the whole thing and then went off to play while it dried.  I love that she can just run up and down the pasture, playing with the dogs and jumping on the trampoline.  While she was playing, Cody made me a planter box for some plants to be the centerpiece for our table.  He is getting to be a master craftsman!  On a sidenote, Harper did come running needing to use the restroom at the end of the evening.  However we were far enough away, that I knew she couldn't make it back in time.  So sadly, she went, outside, just like that.  It's the country folks, what else can I do?

Ballerina Beauty

Harper loves to dress up.  Harper loves to dance and sing.  This was Harper's favorite day.  She got some ballerina leotards and tutus from KK and she was so excited to wear them all day.  Dancing.  Singing.  Jumping.  Prancing.  She is going to love doing a dance class one day.  

Feeding the Ducks

We had a play date at Waterloo to run around, play a bit, and feed the ducks.  We were so excited to get out and enjoy the beautiful day.  And I love that when I didn't have any bread at 9am, I texted our sweet friends and they all brought extra bread for Harper.  We love our play group!  After we played, we headed down to feed the ducks.  I loved when Jack arrived, dressed as Batman.  He was sick but still protecting the innocent.  :)  All the moms sat around and talked forever and the kids played.  Sometimes, well usually, the play dates are just as much for us as the kids.  Either way, it was a great morning!

Zoo Play Date

Our play group spent a day at Frank Buck Zoo.  It was a little chilly at the beginning of the day, but it was beautiful by the end.  Plus, we wanted to get there before all the big kids were out of school.  Sadly, Aaron was super sick and Kristi and he stayed home.  We got there and there was a school there, so we headed in the opposite direction to enjoy some of it alone.  We took pictures and let the kids just run wild.  

We made it just in time to feed the giraffe.  All the kids did it and they were all so cute.  And that giraffe tongue is looong!  Harper, Jack, and Anna just gave the leaf and moved on.  Clara and James were a little shy.  Joey was a little scared and dropped it a few times before getting close enough that the giraffe was able to snatch it up.  

We kept walking and just made our way around.  The kids loved the animals but just enjoyed running together and being kids.  At one point, Sarah did ask the kids to identify a letter, so technically it was a preschool outing too.  :)  We spent awhile at the goats, letting the kids feed the and pet them.  We had no quarters so we made our kids rake the food up from the ground (totally legit).  

After the goats, we stopped at the zoo presentation so the kids could see some animals up close.  They had to sit there for about 20 minutes because the show was running behind and the younger kids got a little restless.  Eventually it started and the zoo keeper brought out 2 lizards, a snake, and an owl.  Of course we were sitting on the front row and I really think the zoo keeper just kept getting closer and closer to us.  I didn't want to be a baby, but I did not like those reptiles being so close.  

After the zoo presentation, the kids got to walk through the new dinosaur exhibit.  They were pretty real looking and Harper wasn't in love.  One even spit water at you, and most of the kids didn't like that one.  But they all sat on this one that you could slide down the tail and she did that ok.  Plus, they were able to pretend dig for a fossil and look at the bones.  So cute!

The end of the zoo took us awhile for some reason.  We just meandered really.  The kids all took turns leading the group and pushing the stroller.  After a bit, we decided to head to the park and eat lunch.  We took the obligatory family pictures and I love every single one of them.  I think she match our family personalities perfectly!

The kids ate a quick lunch and headed into the playground.  I know Harper misses having a park like this now that we aren't close to Kids Kastle anymore.  They kids ran around, swang, climbed, etc. The moms all sat around and talked and kept count of kids.  It was such a great afternoon.  I love when all the kids play really well and allow us moms to chat, it's the whole point of a play date anyways right?  Harper is right in between the big kids, who are 2 years older, and the little kids, who are 1 year younger.  She plays great with them, but this time, she just played mostly by herself.  She does that sometimes and I never know if she is happy to be alone or sad.  I'm guessing she has some of Cody's introvertedness and likes the alone time.  Either way, it looked like she was a princess in her tower, singing her Frozen songs, and enjoying her sweet little life.  Eventually we rallied the kids together and headed home.