green smoothies and mud pies

Another afternoon spent with the Dukes. It is so lovely to have such dear, sweet friends close by. They are the kind of friends that live a few streets away and come over at a moments notice. The kind that you can call on when you need a favor, or a listening ear. The kind that don't bat an eye when you send their children home from your house covered in mud and green smoothie. :)

{Wondering about the splatter?}

{Bubbles. They are hilarious. And messy. Which makes them even MORE hilarious.}

{The. Boys. Are. Getting. So. Big.}

{This is the terribly unattractive grassy mud pit in our front yard. Makes for great pies. The best in town.}

{Those Dukes... they make pretty babies. Yes, indeed.}

{Notice how the boys dig right in.}

{No concern for clean up. Not even remotely anticipating the icy cold hose down that is impending. Gotta love that. Living in the moment, they are.}

{Sweet girl is making mud soup. Which she lovingly tried to shove in her mama's mouth, passing it off as chocolate soup.}

{So adorable. So sweet. So clean.}


{But even sweet little Katherine couldn't stay clean that day. She dug right in, too. And I dare say she liked it.}

{She watched the big kids attentively.}

{Studied the proper techniques.}

{... and then she ate mud. But only once, I promise.}


{After everyone was gone, it was time for cleanup.}

{Hayes could do this all day. Fill, dump, repeat.}

{Addie was meticulous in her washing. I loved every second of watching her scrub the mud out of each nook and cranny. It just made me proud. Is that sad?}


{A perfectly clean end to a very, very messy afternoon.}