Play dough

I've been trying to do more learning activities with Hayes on my days off. Today we built with blocks, colored, and played with play dough. Hayes did SO good and even played with it for quite a bit of time.  It was fun to see him playing with it and using his imagination. I am liking these new games and seeing him getting smarter and smarter every day. 

This whole parenting thing is kind of hard to figure out. It is literally just one big balancing act. You want them to enjoy life and to have fun, but you also want them to learn and to grow. I want to be doing everything I can to help him, but I want him to have fun and be a kid and not have his whole world revolve around learning. Geez, it's kind of exhausting, but man is it fun. 

Bed head

We have been talking about cutting Hayes's hair lately because it is growing so fast and gets in his eyes. I love him with longer hair, but I hate that it's such a pain for him. This morning he woke up with the BEST bed hair and I decided to put off cutting it for another little while, its just too good! 

Playing at the lake

We look Hayes out to Sand hollow the other day and to Sam's pleasant surprise Hayes was in absolute heaven. He loved the water, and even though it was so cold, we had to basically force him out because he was shivering. At least it almost 90 degrees outside, so he warmed up fast. I see a lot of lake trips in our future with these water loving boys of mine. 

Watering at grandmas

My mom was out of town this last weekend and asked us to water her garden and trees. Hayes wanted to help and it was a lot of fun. I was walking around my mom's yard and was LOVING how green and beautiful it is now. They have worked so hard on it and it looks amazing. Hayes absolutely loves being over at my mom's and playing in her yard. 

Yum yum

I made Hayes some of my Grandma's special macaroni and cheese (his FAVORITE meal!) He was so excited and sat down and just downed it. He could barely breath he was eating it so fast. I am loving that he is such a good eater and is at least willing to try things (for the most part). 

Popsicles

The weather has been so warm and has felt more like summer lately, so we've embraced it. While we were at the store we picked up some Popsicle and Hayes enjoyed it in the backyard when we got home. It was so messy and sticky and he loved every second of it. I'm excited for summer time. I'm thinking we need a summer bucket list so we can make sure we enjoy all of the best parts of summer. 

Exploring

The other day we met my mom at the college track and played there and walked around the track. Hayes LOVED exploring this new place and playing on all the equipment that was there. Towards the end of our walk, the soccer team came and started practicing. Hayes loved watching them practice. We kicked the stray balls back and he absolutely loved it. It was a lot of fun to go explore somewhere new and to let Hayes see and play with all new things. 

This Kid

I was making Hayes's lunch the other day and peaked in the living room to see this. This is such a great depiction of Hayes. Balloons, George, and relaxing. This kid is hilarious. He loves relaxing and lounging around, he got that from his dad for sure. What a funny kid! 

Sprinklers

Running through the sprinklers in one of the best memories I have from childhood. Even when Ash and I were a little older, we would go to the soccer fields or baseball fields when the sprinklers were turned on and run through them. It's just so much fun. 

The other day, Hayes and I were out running some errands and when we got home, Sam had just finished mowing the lawn and was turning on the sprinklers. Without any hesitation, Hayes ran right in and started playing. He knew exactly what to do and was SO excited! He ran and ran and ran and got soaking wet. We literally had to pry him off the grass, even after the sprinklers turned off. Gator even got in on the action. This is what spring time is all about, the only thing that was missing was Popsicle, so I'm headed out to buy some today for next time. I'm excited for Hayes to have a fun summer and do all the things I did as a kid. The older he gets, the more fun we have with things like this. 

Saying goodbye to friends

Our cute neighbors and friends The Porter's moved away this weekend and we are pretty sad about it. These two cuties are Hayes's "Girls" and he loved going to play with them for a few hours every Wednesday. We are excited for them and their new adventure in Texas! Hopefully we'll see you soon Ms. Kayleigh and Ms. Polly! 

Hayes is funny

Hayes did a little light reading in the bath tub the other night, a "hard hat" was obviously required for this.  :) Hayes is not short on personality, man a live do we love this little munchkin! 

Hayes and the Bebe

The other day we watched one of my high school friend's babies and Hayes was pretty unsure of this new little guy. He wasn't sure what to think of him and didn't pay much attention to him, but after he realized that he was a baby, he kept talking to him and saying "Hi bebe!" Rad started crying while Hayes was watching his movie and he told him to "Shhhhh, Quiet!" hahahaha Hayes was funny with him, and Geez Louise I forgot how hard little babies are. 

Pics with mama

We were out walking the other day and we got to the spot that I have been stopping to take our "Mama and Hayesie" pictures, I wasn't going to stop this time, but Hayes kept begging to stop. So, we talked, took a selfie, and Hayes was satisfied. I like this kid. 

More balloons

We found the balloon of all balloons at the dollar store the other day. A dump truck balloon for the win! Hayes loved it and it has stayed inflated for a few days now. I think I'm liking this challenge of finding new cooler balloons. 

Oh Shit

Excuse my language, but this is a pretty appropriate to use it to describe this situation. The day that Sam left to go out of town for a week, I put Hayes down for a nap,  a few minutes later I checked on him and I  saw him lay down and was happy he was maybe heading for a good long nap. A few minutes later I went back to check on him, when I got close to his room I could smell something awful. 

I walked into his room and found this mess. Yes, that's poop everywhere. I stayed relative calm, if I do say so myself. It was kind of awful,but a right of passage none the less. This is one for the memory book for sure, even if I'd like to forget this moment. 

Hayesie and Ma

I've been trying to take more pictures of me and Hayes together. This is what I've got so far, and I love them. It's hard to remember to take these pictures together, but they are so worth it! 

St. Patrick's day

We celebrated St. Patrick's Day by eating a green breakfast, wearing green shirts and socks, and playing at the park, enjoying the green grass. It's fun to celebrate these quirky holidays and to fully embrace all the fun aspects of childhood. This kid is a lot of fun I tell you!