livin the dream

We were lucky enough to have a backyard for several years in our university years, the kids were young enough it was always us playing with them. Living in on-campus housing in Ft. Collins we had a great commons area, but it wasn't the same as having our own yard. In our first rental in Sitka there was a small patch of grass, but it was separated from the house by a stream, so I didn't feel comfortable sending them out alone, and then we lived in an apt. with a drive of gravel, as is so typical there.
A yard has been one of the things I love about living here. And yesterday I was living the dream; the three older kids were playing  together out on the lawn for the better part of the afternoon and evening. It was amazing. They even had a neighbor boy over. They set up some water containers as barriers on their own, and played a game of capture the flag/nerf war. Even more amazingly, Reese and Grace were on the same team! and functioned as a team!!  I was doing dishes in the kitchen, and saw them playing, and had to record it as proof they could get along.

 Reese characteristically rubbed it in quite a bit when they 'won' a skirmish. He loves to win.

 Most of their time the spent looking for their various nerf darts, but at least their different guns had different colored darts, so were easier to split up. I sat on the driveway and watched them, sending out Cameron and Grace as advance parties, and strategizing to get the 'flag' (a hose nozzle and a pump) back to their base. There were a few upset feelings, and Grace left to cool down as one time, but they had fun.

Aubree was hanging with RD while he cleaned out our wasp catchers, then they hung out with me. It was a beautiful evening, overcast with a slight breeze, warm but not hot. Aubree alternately sat on our laps and walked around with the swim ring. RD joined in the game for a bit, and we all came in late for snacks, baths, and scripture reading and prayers. I love these summer evenings.