Making up for missing out

This morning we were planning to go see friends, but we ran into a series of mishaps beginning with Anna Reaghan waking up 2.5 hours early at 5:00 (yippee?) and ending with not being able to find the gps to help me find our destination. When I realized our arrival would then be more tardy than I was comfortable with, we switched gears. The kids were already loaded in the van, some filled up the gas tank while I mulled over possible morning activities. I offered Asa the choice of his usual (and favorite) "sandbox playground" or a new playground. He picked the sandbox playground. Off we went! He dug for a little while, found the beloved trucks that everyone just leaves at the playground to play with, and then he as thrillled to no end. And Reaghan mostly watched us from the stroller. I got her out toward the end of our time, but infrared she would try to eat the sand like she did at the beach... And I was right. On our way back to the van, we stopped to see the geese and new goslings (so fluffy) and walked along to boardwalk to the gazebo and counted fish. The most we saw at once was 22 fish clamoring for food from us, but we didn't have any. Then it was home for a picnic lunch in the living room before SR went down for a nap. While she slept, Asa and I drew with chalk on the driveway. Out of the blue he called out, "Thank you, God!". He has started spontaneously thanking God for things he enjoys. LOVE! Then he told me what he wanted to thank God for: Jesus and Anna Reaghan! What a SWEET heart he has! He pushed the stroller around the driveway a little, made a home for some matchbox cars from a Build a Bear box, and then it was time for the little man to rest. I needed to wash his bedding but it wasn't done in time for his nap, so I convinced him to use a pillow from the guest room by telling him it was *G-Ma's* pillow... as she sleeps in that room when she visits. That sealed the deal. We had a low key evening and both kids went to bed a little early tonight to help make up for the early morning/short naps. Hopefully we get to sleep until a more suitable hour tomorrow morning!! :) We hope you are well. I am so excited we have a long weekend with Matt coming up. We are hoping to take a day trip to the aquarium on Saturday! I checked our a Curious George book about the aquarium for us to read in anticipation, but now Asa is convinced we will see Curious George there! Hopefully all the fish will be enough to make up for the lack of a curious little monkey and his "yellow man," as Asa calls the Man in the Yellow Hat. Happy almost long weekend to you!