a day to say yes

Today I took Madison to the Children's Music and Art Festival.

Where are Austin and Zac?
They didn't want to come.
I guess I don't blame them.

I decided to make today a day to be completely checked in with Madison.
no cell phone, computer, TV, book, or any other distraction.
And since it was one price for the bracelet,
it was a day to say yes.
No excuses.

saying yes to all natural strawberry slushy 

saying yes to hula hooping
a bunch

saying yes to letting you play with all the toys scattered
across the park
as much and as long as you wanted
no rush



saying yes to adorable butterfly wings
not even trying to talk you into something smaller
and easier to clean off

saying yes to painting
whatever you want
no input
and I don't care that you had paint on your hands
 and in your hair
you had fun

saying yes to the piano

saying yes to the guitar

saying yes to the cute little drums

saying yes to the accordion
you loved this

oh yes,
and saying yes to the washboard

yes to jumping
lots and lots of jumping

yes to sliding
even head first

saying yes to petting
and feeding

and saying yes to playing
and prizes
over and over
until you got tired and hungry
and you were ready to move on

and finally saying yes to putting the camera away and staying to play in the rain. We had such a good day. It felt good to say yes, over and over...

New challenge for myself: Say yes to the kids more. Stop being disconnected. Remember they are only kids for such a short time and really enjoy that time with them.

Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course

The day before school starts...

What's something totally fun we can do with the kids?

Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course

We have been waiting all summer for the boys to get back home to go as a family

It was so worth the wait.

The kids had a blast.

Now don't bash me to hard.

But again (and as always) most of the pics are of Madison.

I can explain.

Madison had to have a parent with her at all times (of course) and I was that parent since some of Jason's coworkers and their kids came with us, and Jason and his mom went with the boys (and the coworkers) who also had to have a parent with them at all times.

I had the camera for Madison's first time thru her course then Jason took the camera to get pictures of the boys.

But they were on their last zipline finishing the last course they were able to complete.

So we are planning to go again soon and Jason can stay with Madison and I will go with the boys so we will have lots of cool pictures of them too.

So now that I've made my excuses on to the pictures



The kids has so much fun. If you are in the area it is so worth a visit. Madison went right to bed and even stayed in her own bed all night. She was worn out. And the boys loved it. Next time we will have to pretend they are 18 so they can try to complete all 4 courses.