Levi, the farm, and his dad and mom

It doesn’t happen often but every now and again, Matt and I will get to spend time together, the two of us, with just one of the kids.  Yesterday, he and the kids had the day off, and so did most of the other parents and kids in our neighborhood.  Annabelle got invited to play over at one such friend’s house, so when we asked her to decide whether she wanted to hang with her friend or go and visit a farm with her mom, dad, and little brother, well, I bet you can guess what she chose to do.

Meanwhile, Levi eagerly got his shoes and coat on.  This doesn’t always happen.  To say that the phase he is going through right now is a defiant one would be a steep understatement.  A battle of wills?  Indeed.  And I have to say that my will is probably not as strong as his is.  Anyway, I digress.  On this occasion, my little Napoleon cooperated, and happily so.   His reward?  A nice long visit to Frying Pan Park and the Kidwell Farm, and alotta one on one time with his mom and dad.

Levi loves animals.  As soon as we pull up alongside the farm, he begins pointing and shouting that he sees a cow, a horse, or some sheep.  He kicks and squirms in his car seat, so delighted to see his farm animal friends.  He also love to see the tractors, both the “live” ones used by the farm’s managers and 4H club volunteers.  It is a big treat for him to get to go on a tractor ride around the farm but he’ll often settle for a pretend ride on the farm’s many kid tractors that they have set up beside one of the barns.

Of course I brought my camera.  How can I not take photos of my little boy on those occasions that I know are sure to be full of fun and lots of smiles.  Even better?  When my better half joins us for a little photo shoot and gets our kids to laugh themselves silly.   Levi got a huge kick out of his dad’s antics, and so did I.  Below are a few of my favorite shots from Levi’s tractor ride with his dad.

At first glance, he might not look like the kind of fella who makes little kids fall over laughing, but my husband has a way of letting little kids get the best of him.  He cracks a smile and I even hear him laugh, care free, as he plays with our wee ones.  This is the same guy who can intently pour over our taxes, write books, play chess, smart his way around a pool table, and run a business.  But when he is with our kids, this softer side is revealed.  I like to think that it is the little boy he once was, and when I see him like this, I think, gosh, no wonder his mom is smitten with him.  Me?  I love all of him.  His serious side, his sarcasm and wit.  And I really do get a kick out his talent for slapstick comedy.  He’s always throwing me for a loop.  Lucky girl that I am.

We’ll see whether I can get back over here for another entry this week.  It is a busy week for the kids and for me too.  If I don’t make it back, I hope you and yours have a great one!

Hugs,

~Jessica