"the best day ever!"

yesterday was not a good day. the kids were all tired and crying, manning was just plain out of control all day (blatantly trying to be disobedient in a way i remember with maddux - and he laughs at me while he does it) and just nothing went well with them all day. these days happen once in a great while and i know they aren't the norm, but, man, oh, man are they exhausting! they lost out on a lot of my plans for fun yesterday too. but i decided to start today with a clean slate and try to have a fun day.

first stop, "national donut day" at dunkin' donuts! the kids thought that it was so great to pick up donuts and manning couldn't get enough of pointing out all of the balloons everywhere - inside and out.

next we stopped by a local park for about 20 minutes before  "superhero camp." the day was simply gorgeous (we really earned these days over the winter and last summer) - about 75 with almost no clouds.

then we arrived at "superhero camp" for the big boys' last day. the parents were invited in for the last 5 minutes to take group pictures. this was such a great week for both boys.

today's 'craft'. both boys picked daddy as their superhero - me too.

we stopped over at an indoor play place on the same property after camp, but it was closed today because of a dance recital rehearsal being held at the facility. we quickly came up with our 'plan b' - the pool! the kids actually came up with the idea. i had thought that it was the most perfect day for laying out at the pool, but i wasn't too sure that it was warm enough for them swimming.

we had lunch at home first and loaded up to head over. we could walk, but heading out so late made it too dicey for the walk back home (one to four of them might end up crying and/or not wanting to carry their things). the big kids couldn't get into the pool fast enough and with very little complaining about the water temperature. manning on the other hand was not interested at all. at least at first. it might have taken me 30 minutes, but i finally got him out of his clothes and into his swim diaper and swimsuit. he even chose to get off of my lap and sit directly next to me. i had to take a picture of my little buddy and me.

shortly after this picture he was willing to stand on the first step. a few splashes and manning was sold! he was belly laughing while he splashed with his siblings and was soon willing to put his 'swimmies' on. within minutes he was back to the wild boy he was last year (although this year he is big enough for swimmies and it is much less stressful). he was kicking his legs while i helped him around the pool and trying to get him used the the balance of the flotation swimmies. then he started yelling '1...2...3...jump!" before jumping off the steps to me. over and over and over.

on the drive home, maddux told me, with enthusiasm, that this was "the best day ever!" love.