Play! Play! Play!

Last week, I met my friend, Michelle, at McDonald's so our kids could have fun in the play place together, and we could sit and talk and eat kiddie cones! :) It was so funny because Emily would climb to the top and then rather than sliding down the slide, she would climb back down and call, "Mommy, Mommy!" She didn't seem scared at all to be lost in this neon-colored maze, but it was obvious that we never go to to McDonald's, so the poor kid was just new at this. Zach was really sweet trying to show Emily how to find her way out.

Right after we left the restaurant, I dropped the kids off with my SWEET friend, Traci, so that I could go volunteer at Welfare Square and can my food storage. (My sister, Margaret, has been great to motivate me to increase the food storage for our family.) These are some fun pictures of Emily and Jon playing with Etta and her dog, Hatcher!

And here is my list for The Top 5 Reasons I love having Traci watch my kids:

#5 Hatcher! This is the only time my little girl feels like she has her own dog. Emily LOVES playing with Hatcher and Jon gets excited being around this beautiful big dog as well.

#4 It's Free! She and Andy watch our two kids and we watch their two kids. I love this deal, and it doesn't cost either of us any money. Great concept, right?

#3 Gibson. Traci's little guy is just younger than Jonathan, but it's so cool how they sit by each other and just chill, playing/eating the toys together. You know they're going to be best buddies someday.

#2 Etta. This little girl is the epitome of sweet. She and Emily have always got along so well and just have a ton of fun playing together.

And #1 Traci genuinely loves children and engages my kids in fun activities like playing instruments, singing, dancing, reading, playing dress-up and tea party, and jumping on the love sac ;)

Isn't it hilarious how toddlers ALWAYS seem to wear sunglasses upside down? They're so cute!


At Music Makers (a mom-taught music class) on Friday, we had a Valentine's Party for the kiddos. After singing some Valentines Songs, playing the instruments, and of course dancing around, the kids exchanged Valentines, ate some goodies, and then played! This is a fun group shot I took.

After the Valentine's party, just before nap time, we had story time with Zach, Emily, and Salote. Emily loves that I watch her friends a few days a week because it makes life WAY more fun for her! These three kids could read all day if you let them. They climb on the bed and start "reading" while I put Jon down for a nap, and then I join them and read to them for another fifteen minutes or until I feel they have calmed down enough for their naps!

Nap time is a joyful time in my house, and I know most of you would agree! ;) I read books, check email, update my blog, fold laundry or scrapbook while I watch American Idol recorded from the night before or my favorite chick flicks, like Anne of Green Gables. Does that sound a little bit like quiet time at YOUR house? I'm curious, what do you all do to relax while kids are napping or at school?