Family time

We had an unexpectedly nice day today. For once Tom wasn't working. When he got up we were outside feeding the rabbits and so he decided to clean the backyard up. It very badly needed it! The kids love being outside, especially the boys. It was a bit cold for me, but they didn't mind. Tom finally moved the lawnmowers out of my dirt bed, and he got rid of some trash and stored some tools that were laying around. He set up the picnic table we got from his grandmother's house and then he evened out the dirt and planted the flowers he bought me last week. We swept and cleaned off the tables and made room so you can actually walk around again! It's not 100% picnic ready yet, but it's sooo much cleaner. Then he cooked on the grill and we sat and ate. It was just really nice to be together as a family. We haven't done that for the longest time!
Tom showed Timothy how to run cars down the extra drain spout we have sitting in the backyard. Justin got to swing. Leanna held her favorite rabbit. Timothy ran the toy lawnmower all over the sidewalk. Justin and Leanna played with some toy puzzle blocks that my Aunt found at a yard sale for a quarter-they built little cities with them. Justin and Leanna helped water the flowers. And all the kids played in the dirt, although Timothy had the most fun of all doing that. He was amused just throwing the dirt around and occasionally pouring it over his head. Timothy and Justin cried when it was time to come in.
It only took about 15 minutes for me to have both boys napping when we came in. Tom was happy because not only did he have quiet time to sit and watch tv, but his favorite movie, Gladiator was on. And then I got a chance to do some laundry and a little bit of cleaning. Leanna played with clay. And after the boys woke up again I did a little bit of coloring with Justin and Timothy ate one of those gerber graduate meals.
(My kids never seemed to like them. Leanna always ignored the vegetables and Justin wouldn't go near them. Timothy hadn't tried any til Nanny Sue just bought us some. He didn't like the first couple-only picking at the peas and carrots. ) `
I tried a chicken and mashed potato with carrots meal and he ate it! He left some of the mashed potatoes but ate all the rest! Not that it's the most nutritional thing in the world, but he ate carrots! and had some food to fill his belly! That's a triumph for me!

I made Tom brownies and ice-tea and Leanna and Justin opened a present from one of Tom's clients-an activity kit for each of them. So they had fun painting and coloring tonight and making a huge mess.
I'm just very happy which is nice for a change. It's just so rare for Tom to even be home, let alone spend time with us anymore. The kids got to play outside for a long time, which is good for them. I got more excersize than usual (Yay!), and then I got some work done too! We need more days like this!