I struggled to keep a straight face and failed, therefore losing the opportunity to try to talk to Reed about the dangers of being dishonest.  Oh, well.  I cleaned him up, ate breakfast, and drove to my teaching writing class.  I didn't have any trouble finding inspiration today!  I decided to write a poetic-ish sequel to my post about muddy shoes I wrote a couple of months ago:

Cute.  Now let's see how that works out in real life...

In a few hours of free time this afternoon, Reed and I decided to drive to a local farm and get some stakes for Reed's tomato plants.  We planted them about a month ago and they are super out of control because I keep forgetting to cage or stake them.  I am totally not a gardener, by the way.  I've tried over the past few years with gardens, I'm just not consistent.  My goal this year is small: Reed's three tomato plants in a small plant box.  I can do that, right?  Apparently not- I should've staked them weeks ago!

They are coming along really well, surprisingly, and I keep having to convince Reed to wait to pick them until then turn red.  I think he will be really excited once they turn red and he can eat them straight from the vine.  Like a rabbit.  Meanwhile, Oliver dug a hole (as usual), but I have to admit that this hole is exceptional.

Isn't that so impressive? On another note, look at these stakes they sold us!  I was like, holy moley- I think those are big enough!  Maybe a little too big for my little plant boxes, perhaps?  Just call me Farmer Becky.

At the farm, Reed also asked me to buy him a peach from the trays of colorful, beautiful fruit tables.  We bought one and I rinsed it off with water in my water bottle in the car (good enough for me) and asked him to eat it outside.  

I thought the fuzzy skin would bother him.

I was wrong!  I love it when that happens.
​Boy, do I love summer!

Lately I've been trying to implement lazy, Sabbath-rest Sundays into our weekly schedule.  Being a working momma is no joke!  We used to be super busy on Sundays, like barely-have-time-to-stop-at-home busy.  Not any more.  We still do some volunteer work at church, but we have found a balance that works well for our family. I spend a little extra time cleaning up and preparing on Saturday nights, but once Sunday arrives, my rule is I only do what cannot wait for Monday.  At first it was really hard for me to do nothing on Sundays, but now I really look forward to it.  After church we spend the day together with no plans.  There are exceptions, of course, like Easter Sunday coming up or the occasional family dinner, but for the most part we guard our Sundays like Oliver guards a new bone.

This past Sunday was beautiful.  We enjoyed most of the time outside and The Little Outdoorsman was in his prime.  He is totally into bark and moss and "climbing" trees and stuff.  I often find his pockets stuffed with nuts (after I've washed them, of course).  Reed loved an afternoon of exploring the yard at his own pace. 

Jacob poked around the driveway and Oliver dug "holes".  He is famous in our neighborhood for his digging skills.  The neighbors laugh and comment  with a smile on our bumpy yard.  He doesn't really dig holes, he just tears up the grass and leaves unsightly pock-marks all over our lawn.  I just don't have the heart to tell him to stop.  He just looks so happy when he digs, and his nose gets all dirty and cute.

He was rolling, too.  Doxie owners know what this means.  Somebody's getting a bath tonight!  So gross...

While I was trying to get Ollie to stop rolling, Reed picked some flowers!  He loves dandelions.  I remember he loved them last year, too.  My heart just swells up whenever he gives me a flower.  A smushed up dandelion beats a bouquet of roses (almost) any day- just being honest.

Inevitably, he found the mud puddles.  We have an unusual amount of mud puddles in our yard due to Mr. Oliver and his aforementioned digging obsession.  And, to my credit, I didn't blink an eye (on the outside anyway).  I did have to gently remind myself that it was lazy Sunday and it was a day to have fun.  So go ahead, baby, get muddy!  TLO was so excited.  He really thought he was getting away with something here.  Oh, the evil desires of a two-year-old.

You know, I've never stopped to look at how beautiful the muddy shoes of a child can be.  There's so much to be found in a picture of some muddy sneakers.  Fun, love, adventure, visions of dirty laundry...

Everybody says these twos are supposed to be terrible.  We are nearly half-way in and I keep waiting for the terrible to show up.  We have our crazy moments, for sure, but lately I find myself wishing I could stop the clock.

I think I have something in my eye...

Sniffle.  Lazy Sundays and muddy shoes made my weekend extra special.  Maybe this is what Jesus meant when he said the Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.  These relaxing Sundays certainly fill me back up for the week.  

​Well, I'd stay and chat some more, but I have to go wash muddy socks.  Back to work!  Have a great week!