This Is What Summer Is All About!

 It's 9 PM Monday evening and I am sitting down alone for the first time today.  It's been a busy one... filled with activity and fun.

Our Littles are here to spend a few days now that school, and pre-school are over for the summer.

There was a day when having the Littles was a lot of exhausting work... always fun, but tiring.  I have to say, that these days are so much easier. 

 And although there is constant chatter to participate in, the physical work is less.  In fact... these two are quite good farm helpers!

Believe it or not, she stuck to it until this entire pile was gone!

Easton's barn job is filling the watering troughs and the watering cans that we use to transport fresh water to the animals.

My farm apprentices helped out with some garden work in the morning...

 picking sugar peas and squash.

It makes me happy to see them eating the peas as they pick them!  Gardening is the best way for children to understand where their food comes from.  Mackenzie told me that she thinks you could save a whole lot of money by having a big garden.  And she is right about that!

Maggie and Macy and their Mom came to spend the day with us as well (these are the gals who farm-sit for us when we go on vacation).

We spent quite a bit of time cooling off in the creek and taking a long creek walk.

All of the dogs came along... even little Mama Bernadette!

The girls spent most of their time looking for creek critters.

Maggie saw this tiny snapping turtle baby swimming down the creek.

So tiny.

Mackenzie, who is completely fearless wanted to hold it as well.

The thing about days like this, spent out in nature, is... the kids are completely engaged in what surrounds them.  The world becomes a wondrous place filled with adventure.

After creek walking, we returned home, hosed off, and settled in on the front porch for some bubble play.

I made a gallon of bubble solution about 5 years ago and we are still using it each summer.  You can't beat home-made bubble solution... it makes the biggest bubbles!

Our last activity for the day before much-needed tubbies, was a trip to the local ice cream shop for a cone of soft-serve with sprinkles... the perfect ending to the perfect summer day.

We have another fun-filled day planned for today.  We'll share our adventures with you tomorrow.  

(And now, these tired grandparents are heading to bed!)