Trains and tractors and peacocks, oh my!

We have been busy and having tons of fun lately. We spent a few weekends raking up leaves in the front yard - over 35 lawn bags of leaves by the time we finished. Greyson was a great help, he loves to use the broom and keeps himself busy while we work hard.

Mike and I have been looking forward to this - being able to accomplish chores while also keeping the kid entertained and out of trouble. It's a whole new world... and we're enjoying it! This weekend we spent some more time in the driveway, but this time washing the car and cleaning out coolers. Since we had the hose out, we put G in his new bathing suit and let him help. He took great pride in washing Mike's truck, but also really enjoyed the foamy water in the buckets.

Last weekend we finally made it to the Green Meadows Petting Farm. I've been wanting to go there for a long time, and finally had a good coupon (oh dear, yes, it's come to that). We got there early, and started off the tour in our little radio flyer wagon with about three other families. As our tour progressed, more families joined us and we wound up with at least 20 families by the end of the tour. We milked a cow, visited with sheep, ducks, and chickens, held a baby duckling and a chick, fed goats, went on a hayride, train ride and pony ride, sat on many old tractors and a firetruck, and saw (and heard) countless peacocks, buffalo, and a zorse! Greyson loved most of it, although he did lose some patience when the tour group got bigger. He loved pulling his wagon along - for the first half of the tour, he pulled. For the second half, he rode.

This weekend was Easter, and he had three egg hunts. He really had the hang of it by Sunday morning. Now, I'm not a religious person, but I've always loved easter. I've had egg dye-ing parties as an adult and I'm eager to start that tradition again for the kiddos. But it's too soon. I boiled some eggs this weekend but didn't even try to dye them with Greyson. Too scared for my house and my clothes - am I a bad mom if I avoid fun activities that make messes like that? Next year we'll do it outside on the picnic table. Instead, I concentrated on other activities and of course, food!

Saturday morning we decided to walk to our neighborhood park where there was a big egg hunt planned. There was a special area for 0-3 year olds, and it was just filled with plastic eggs. You could barely walk without stepping on an egg. Perfect for the 100 or so little guys who were there. We got about 10 eggs which filled our little basket, and that was plenty. Greyson learned to pick them up and put them in the basket, then ask me later what was in each of them. Mostly tootsie rolls, which pleased him greatly! I was pleased that Greyson participated and wasn't too clingy. Sometimes in crowded situations he insists on being held, but he did great.

Saturday afternoon we spent with Mike's family, lounging by the pool (G waded a little and splashed me a bit, it was cold!) and eating cupcakes and ham and mashed potatoes, a true Easter feast! Aunt Cindy hid eggs and G got to hunt around the house for them. They were filled with animals and money and were perfect treats.

So by the time Sunday morning rolled around, our little guy was prepped and ready to see what the Easter Bunny had left him. We went to a local park which we hoped would be filled with azalea blooms. There were a few, but what was really spectacular were the birds. It is apparently Egret breeding season, and the trees were full of them, building and sitting in their nests. They filled up the huge cypress trees, most trees had several nests, and the Anhingas were on hand too.

Several eggs and baskets and treats had been hidden by the easter bunny around the trees and Greyson got into the spirit this time. He got a few candies, some trucks and cars, some books and new toothbrushes, it was quite a haul. The rest of the day he would ask to see his things, "where are my things?" So I think he was happy with his baskets.

I certainly had fun, and I can't wait to decorate eggs with him next year.