A Day of Fun

The kids and I took a small road trip up to Leasburg State Park on Tuesday. We had so much fun, and I was reminded why I homeschool my kids. The four of them had a blast that afternoon playing together and also apart from one another. It was a great getaway from me as I was able to connect with the kids in a way that I have not really been able to here at the house with all of the distractions going on. (I will fill you in later.)

Our day was simple, but filled with all of the best things in life: family, laughter, togetherness, creating good memories, building friendships among siblings.

Here is what our day looked like:

This is one of the few times times Lily actually played with Sam. Samuel is constantly trying to get Lily to hang out with him and she is constantly rebuffing him. He wore her down this particular day. 

Searching for shells. 

The boys helping Sarah navigate a rocky area. 

In these next couple of pictures Josh is closing eyes using Sarah's cane while she guides him through the Rio Grande. As I have written before, of all of the kids Josh seems to be the one who wants to understand, as much as he can, first hand what Sarah goes through as she lives her life without sight. Often times he will do this very thing - trying to use her cane with his eyes closed as he navigates certain terrain. I don't think he realizes how incredibly sweet this is and how much it means to his sister. 

Lily is not a huge fan of the water. And while Sammy played in it almost the whole time we were there  Lily would only dip the lower half of her body in momentarily and then she would immediately get out. 

This guy on the other hand is all retriever. He loves the water. 

Feeling for shells....

Watching the kids play...

Playing with the dogs...

One of my most favorite things in this whole world is watching my four kids interact and hang out together. Seeing them enjoy each other's company is so, so, so cool. 

I love this kid so much. He took the first plunge into the frigid water....

It was C-O-L-D

He did it! 

He cracks me up!!!

Creating a contraption which she will then use to jump over. 

This next series of photos is Josh getting ready to jump into the river. He knows that the water is cold because Andy has already gone in. He has been talking the talk about getting in without walking the walk, so Andy is heckling him to get in. He psyches himself up to get in only to chicken out last minute. He rev's himself up again, and gets into the water only to turn right around and get back out because it is cold. 

Does that face say, "Holy Cold!!" or what?!

These little laps of water remind me of Cape Cod...

Taking a break from the water and reading a comic book. 

Josh is currently reading Lorf of the Flies...

Sarah created this contraption out of sticks in order to jump over and do tricks. The shadow created in the water by the sun allowed Sarah to see where the sticks were (most of the time). 

Elizabeth's turn. 

Lily - ready to go home.