motherly confession

I have to confess one of my weaknesses... I have a really hard time doing what my kids want me to do and just that. I always put them off, distract them into an independent activity, or I multi-task or do the abbreviated version - always feeling like I should be doing something "productive". Ugh I hate it when I do that. I know productive days are a must, but I'm always happier when I just commit to having a fun day with my kids. We needed one of those days today. Mmmm - now for the good stuff.

when Bel woke up from her nap she wanted to play outside, so we did.
she stomped the last two boxes of snaps from our "fireworks" stash.

then she wanted to pick berries.
when we moved in the bushes that line our yard were full of these perfect, tiny round berries. she has spent hours in them harvesting red, orange and green berries, making colorful piles of the living things in our yard - leaves, acorns, sticks, and of course, berries.
it may be a little early in the season, but I think tonight was the last summer berry harvest

at one point during our outdoor escapades - i turned around and there she was comfortably, laying in the grass...

B - come here. lay next to me mommy. (patting the grass at her side)
who could resist such a sweet invitation - so there we lay side by side
B - what do you see mommy?
then we discussed the view
it was lovely - the view and the conversation

lastly, some sidewalk chalk to end off the evening

jack was around too - sucking his toes and laughing at mom and sis - who he thinks are hilarious.

it was a good day