Labor Day Weekend…

Don’t you just LOVE long weekends with your hubby home an EXTRA day?! Oh, I sure do! And we had NO plans–which has made it EVEN BETTER! This weekend…we are just kickin’ it in the Young house. And you know when we kick it–I have my camera in hand. And I even managed to make it in a few when I convinced Rico Suave to get behind the lens! Here are a few pics from our weekend so far…and we are only HALF way into it! YAY!

Our weekend started off with Rico Suave turning on our lawn sprinklers for the kids to play in. No seriously–he was trying to figure them out. (Can you believe we’ve lived in this house for 3 years and this is the first time we’ve turned on the sprinklers?!) Laney and Parker saw the sprinklers come on while he was testing them and they ran right in and put on their swimsuits. (And Frank of course…just stripped right down!)

I just noticed tonight that my tea kettle knob is missing…looks like this would explain what probably happened to it. Goodness…that thing was a wedding gift. SO…it has made it 7 years without a scratch and almost daily use–and then these crazy things get their hands on it and lose the knob to the top!I love these pictures taken in the morning sun. Yes…it was probably at 8:30am when they were taken. If you are into photography though–there is nothing quite like morning light!

And very few things make my heart melt like the little miss…

They played in this SAME spot for well OVER an hour!Rico Suave couldn’t figure out how to turn the side sprinklers off…so they just enjoyed the morning mist and played house. He never could figure it out so he ended up turning the water OFF in the yard instead. Nice. We’ll have to figure that one out next summer I guess.

Don’t you want to know what Frank-a-doodle is doing here???Binky in mouth, on coaster car…hiding around the corner of the house PEEKING at daddy with weed-eater. One of Frank’s biggest fears is the weed-eater.

Later in the day–Laney made one of her weekly bouquets. NOW…as I sat there watching her freely cut flowers from my our flower garden–I realized one of the GIFTS I have been given in having more children is taking time to smell the flowers…and even PICK THEM. I have to confess–when I just had Parker and Laney–the simple duo…life was neat, orderly and beyond managable. My house stayed fairly clean–appointments were easier to make. But I have to confess this…I wasn’t very laid back. I was a bit too strict and honestly I would let the little things some times get to me. And I cringe to think I wouldn’t have let Laney cut flowers from my our garden. I wanted it to be “pretty”…and now I want to ENJOY the little things. I’m less concerned about how things look on the outside–and really I just am gobbling up the gifts and time I have with those I love most in my life…

And some times–when you let what you think is being “together” just go…and really just sit back and take a breath–and celebrate right where you are…things have a different, new light to them…(Can you get a glimpse of the BIG smile on her face back there??? How could you ever stop someone from cutting “too” many flowers from the garden with such joy on her face?! I couldn’t help but grab a pair of scissors myself and go to town with her!!!)

The more freedom I give this sweet 4 year old to do big girl things…she really takes on the roll well…and has so much fun creating

It’s so fun to sit back and watch the Little Miss take pleasure in something like making herself a bouquet of flowers…and I have to admit I am proud of how she is growing in her floral design skills of of late…

Sweet Laney reminded me today how we sprinkled these seeds during Spring break when Daddy was in Africa and before we ever knew Isaac’s name.

Do you want to hear a silly story?

As we planted those seeds, I prayed for our son. I just KNEW he was born. Every morning I would hope all over again from a call from AGCI–and I’d go sit in the chairs outside and stare at the bark in the ground hoping the flowers would begin to rise. I would think, “I bet when the seedlings peep through the bark…that’s when we’ll get our call!” But–the seedlings came and grew taller…and no call. THEN, I thought, “Oh I bet when the first flower blooms…that’s when we’ll get our call!” Over and over again I’d play this silly game and I’d run down stairs in the morning…and even before making coffee I’d peak to see if there was a bloom. AND no bloom. No bloom. No bloom. Now, they are in full bloom…and he is home. And although life is crazier…it couldn’t be more beautiful.

And speaking of that little bloom—where was HE while we were taking all these?? GUESS!

He was napping in HIS CRIB!!! Yep…he is officially TRYING out his crib (granted it is in the sitting room OFF of our bedroom…but none the less…he is in HIS crib!)

He was napping SO good that I had to make a little noise so he would wake up for lunch! But before lunch…daddy grabbed a few pictures of mommy and Isaac together (lots MORE fun pictures from today…and a YUMMY fried green recipe I have to share that we cooked up on the grill…but I’ll end today with my sweet little man and mommy…)

P.S. Have you set your date for your “It’s a girl thing” party??? I am going to send out my evite THIS week! If you have a party (or if you do it solo!)–please send us a picture of your group with your shipment before you send off so we can share!!!

P.S.S. Have you seen the “Operation Silent Night” slideshow??? If not, be sure to read yesterday’s post!

P.S.S.S. Have a great Labor Day Weekend!