Throwing Caution to the Wind...

I threw every plan out the window today that I had for the boys and we just went with the flow.  I had planned to focus on the number 2, play a matching game, etc., but it was way too nice to be inside.  I know I mentioned in my last post that maybe we would have an old fashioned picnic today, and that didn't happen either.  Here is what the boys and I did accomplish.

We spent 2 hours at Rockwell Park this morning.  From 9 am until 11 am we froze our butts off playing on monkey bars, sliding on slides, meeting new little boys, and climbing rock walls.  We were all just kids going from place to place - and Pierce even had the awareness to let me know that he needed to pee and poop - now.  :)  I am so proud of him, since I consider the playground a huge test for potty training.  And I know that by him telling me every morning, "Momma, no pee and poop in underwear" that he is also reminding himself.  Carter FINALLY crossed the bridge that goes up and down with your weight, without freaking out.  And it was hilarious trying to watch this little person keep up with Pierce and another little boy that he introduced himself to.  I was also amazed that Pierce introduced himself to the other little boy, and asked to play with him.  If this was even 3 months ago, I do not believe he would have done that.

From there we ventured over to Price Chopper, where for the first time ever, I let Pierce walk the store with me.  My original intentions were to simply pick up some sugar pumpkins to cook with, but Pierce threw in some plums, bananas, grapes, and tofu into the cart.  Seeing as those are all healthy options, I could not tell him no, even though my checkbook should have ( I will deal with that mess later).  When we came home, Pierce painted a few little gourds while Carter played with the others, and I got to business cooking a roasted pumpkin salad with a maple glaze and roasted garlic dressing (it was amazing by the way), and prepping dinner of shrimp with a jalapeno and kiwi relish (it sounded odd on paper, but worked out really well).  The boys just kept on playing, and despite me reminding them multiple times that it was nap time, I didn't have the heart to make them stop.  I did not make them stop until Pierce blatantly stopped listening, and Carter was super cranky.  We were just all so laid back this morning, it was awesome.  I am hoping I do not pay for it tomorrow, but for now, I will enjoy that feeling.

Now do not misunderstand, all through the morning while we were at the playground and Price Chopper, and while Pierce as helping me cook at home, we counted, looked at colors, talked about how we felt, and they were still learning.  It just did not follow my formal path I had outlined.

After naps, we went outside to build a leaf pile, and Pierce did NOT want me to help him build his.  He wanted to do it all on his own.  I built my own for Carter and I, that Pierce eventually came over to, and then asked if I could move his pile to join Momma's pile.  lol.  It was way cute, and we all had fun, including the dog.  In fact, the dog thought it was really funny to keep taking off with Pierce's rake, and listening to Pierce yell, "No Amber, that is my rake.  Bring it back!"  I also could not help but laugh at the two of them.

We then had Nana join us for dinner, and the boys would only eat the red quinoa that I cooked and the shrimp - minus the relish.  They wanted nothing to do with the pumpkin, and certainly was not going to touch the raw spinach.  It did not matter though, considering they had so much fun playing with Nana, singing songs, dancing, and Pierce colored with her too.  From there the boys grabbed baths, Daddy came home, and now they are both passed out and in bed.  After typing all of this out, I guess we didn't do that much, and certainly nothing was extravagant   However, the boys loved it, we had a great day, and we were all happy.  Shouldn't that be what matters at the end of the day?  I think so.  :)

Good night everyone!  Talk to you all tomorrow night - or at least I will attempt.  Bell Choir startrs tomorrow.  :)