Why weren't parks this fun 20 years ago?

Springtime just seems to get better and better around here, with a string of balmy, beautiful afternoons this week, perfect for spending time outside in the fresh air and sunshine. We spent the afternoon the other day at one of the local parks, one where I used to play when I was a kid. They rebuilt the playgrouind a few years ago and it blows the doors off of the old slide and monkey bars rig they used to have.

The first thing the kids jumped on was like a newer cooler version of the old merry-go-round. It was shaped like a ring, spun on a hidden track underneath, and was tilted at an angle so that if you were spinning on it by yourself you'd get crazy speed-ups and slow-downs depending on whether you were on the downhill or uphill side of the thing. Laine quickly applied the principle of conservation of momentum to realize that she could walk on the thing in one direction to make it spin in the other direction. I feel cheated for being born twenty years too late to be able to ride on stuff like this without getting weird looks from the other parents.

James, on the other hand, went for a classic: the slide. He's a brave little guy these days, just climbs right up on his own and heads right down the slide with no need for coaxing, weedling, pleading, or pushing (unlike his sisters who used to like to sit there, ready to slide, blocking all the other kids for about an hour before mustering the courage to get up and walk away because the slide was too scary). I'm so proud of my little man.

The real attraction at this place was what replaced the old swingset. This thing was a work of art and a climber's dream. Ropes, hand-holds, bars, seats, ladders, and thingamajiggies all webbed together into an awesome contraption that the girls played on for the better part of three hours without a single complaint. I think that might set a record. The only time they did protest was when I tried the thing, and that was just because I was trying to take the seat that they wanted.

Side note, not park related: James seems to have some magical ability to attract and charm girls of all ages. Every time I turn around he's using his little cherub grin to enchant another female friend. Family, friends, neighbors, strangers, old, young, whatever, doesn't seem to matter. Girls love to chase James.

Interview with James

James can talk pretty well these days, he especially likes to repeat back everything you say to him. Enjoy the show.

E-mails from Eve

Laine and Eve have been very good at staying in touch with me via e-mail. Eve is particularly diligent about sending me little updates on her life on a daily basis. Sometimes even twice a day. Here are some of her all-time best e-mails to me:

dear Mom.
I love you!today I got to make a fossil!today is my sekend day at shcool
love Eve.

dear Mom.
I love you!
love Eve

dear Mom.
I love you!I hope you have a great day.
love Eve.

dear Mom.
I didn't go to church today becase I was sick.I love you!
loveEve.

mom I just have a little cold.don't you no that?
love Eve.

qwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmnnyujnjudrtgeujnhhgbjhmjkuububuhujbjihgjb

dear Mom.
you are so pretty!
loveEve.

dear Mom.
I learnd about the bigest in the sea yestrday!do not go near it if you see one it will bite you.
loveEve.

Darling Eve,

You learned about the biggest what in the sea yesterday? Don't worry. If I see one, I will stay far away so that I do not get bitten. My goodness, you're awake early today.

Much love,
Mama

dear Mom.
I learned about the elasmasuarus.
love Eve.

dear Mom.
we got new things for the gamecube! and lainey loves to play sonic.I love you.
love Eve.

dear Mom.
I love you.do you no how much I miss you.I hope you have a good day today.
love Eve.

And my all-time favorite e-mail from her:

dear Dad.
love Eve.

Back to the Farm

This afternoon we went on an outing to Wheeler Historical Farm with Uncle James and cousin Atticus. When we got out of the car we were greeted by some horses, James immediately shouted out with glee: "Horsey!" Laine asked one of the farm workers how fast the horses could run, they told her about 20 miles per hour.



Next down the path were the sheep, James really liked those until they started bleating, then he got really freaked out. Atticus kept his cool.

The pigs were apparently trying to start a band or something, they were making an awesome racket banging their snouts against a garbage can lid. The kids thought it was great.

The favorite animals of the day were the little baby lambs. All the kids thought they were great, and James managed to get near them without running away crying.

Then we hit the little clubhouse, the kids loved that too. James and Eve were laughing pretty hard when we said "Boo" to them through the windows.

On the way out we stopped at the treehouse, if you squint real hard you can see Laine and Eve in the window up there.

Laine was an awesome helper getting James in and out, since the door was too small for grown-ups.

I'm going to call it a rousing success.

We came home and started making the ultimate sunday dessert:
Make a batch of cookie dough, flatten it out in a cake pan and cook it till it's done.

Make a batch of brownies in a pan that's the same size.

Slather a layer of ice cream on the cookies.

Plop the brownies on top.

Freeze overnight.

We'll see how it turns out.

Spring is Springing

The weather turned beautiful today in Salt Lake City. The snow had cleared out, the sun was shining, the birds were singing, and my three favorite circus clowns were ready for some serious outdoors action. The girls spent most of the afternoon playing in the windy spring weather, first in the backyard while James was wrapping up his nap, then later in the front yard with their cousin Marshall.

James has found a new favorite thing in the whole wide world: wiffle balls. For throwing, catching, or just holding in your hand while you run around in circles, nothing beats a wiffle ball. The neighbors next door thought he was so cute playing with some of theirs that they gave a few to him to keep forver. As soon as he hits the door, he makes sure to have at least one with him at all times in the yard.

Laine on the other hand has had a bigger toy on her mind, a shiny green bicycle that Grandma keeps on hand for aspiring young cyclists in the family. She hopped on and took off like a champ, even though it's been well over a year since she's had a chance to practice. I was pretty impressed she remembered how to do it, I guess it's kind of like riding a bike.

When James saw her going, he took off in hot persuit. Note that he still has the wiffle ball.

After biking, it was clearly time for the tree-hugging competition, I think Eve won, but James was a very close second.

And of course, no afternoon of playing outside is complete without lots of hugs.

Laine did her best to prove that you don't need teeth to have an awesome smile. I think the jury is still out on this one.

Finally, did I mention that James loves to hold a wiffle ball in each hand and run around in circles? I defy you to find a person on earth as happy as this little guy.