playin'

On Friday the 10th, the kids and I headed up a canyon about 40 minutes from here to meet a friend of mine & her kids who were up visiting from AZ. (Her oldest was one of B's best friends when we lived there.) Unfortunately, we weren't able to hang out for long before they had to leave (they got there before us), so I suggested we stay & play for a little while--mostly to make our drive all that way worth it and also because it was such a beautiful afternoon (though definitely on the nippy side). Though I play with the kids here and there, I hate to admit that I don't full-on PLAY with them as often as I probably should. (I'd like to think I'm not alone on that one; fellow moms, please reassure me...) Usually it's because I'm busy doing 'stuff'. Or I have family/friends I want to chat with. But, on this day, it was just me, B, E, A, a football and a soccer ball--oh, and of course, my camera. :) I must say, I had SUCH a feeling of bliss. We played catch with the football and kick-pass with the soccer ball.  Ethan practiced his punts to me.  Autumn got a bit 'warmed-up' for her future first season of soccer, run-walking & kicking the ball every which way (perhaps there were imaginary defenders...?).  Brandon and I played a brief 'game' of soccer, while Ethan acted as goalie.  After a while, as we were rustling our feet in the leaves near a tree, Brandon suggested we make a pile and then jump in it.  We were about to start when Ethan suggested we add to the pile of sorts back down near the parking lot that Jonathan had as a part of his creation (sorry for mangling it, J!).  I semi-reluctantly put my camera down to help build the pile and B realized his sliding foot & makeshift 'stick rake' wasn't so effective, so he finally dug in with his hands.  Once we all agreed that we'd made a substantial pile (and I had taken a few pictures), the kids counted to 3 and jumped--well, more like fell--in it.  Then they laid down in the leaves.  What delight!!  Only thing that felt 'off' was that Peter wasn't there with us...          

wish E's face wasn't shaded, but what can i do; this was the one with the best facial expressions on all three...