a beautiful night for a family bike ride with a pit stop at the tennis courts.

the golden hour for shooting outdoors.

i just happen to have my camera.

the other 4 heads were just out of the shot.

these kids have known each other since cradle roll.

they are learning together.

growing together.

will be each others beacons and support in those awkward years.

their relationships will stand the tests of time...

just like their parents' did.

 

today he had the snack bucket.

he got to bring in healthy snacks for 8 friends.

this is a big deal.

he plans for days.

goldfish?

pears?

graham crackers?

drinkable fruit?

today...

apple cinnamon nutrigrain bars and mandarin oranges.

he was waffling on his choices but finally pulled the trigger.

he chatted the whole way in about how excited his friends were going to be about his snack.

not anymore than he was.

just needed a little help carrying in the bucket.

healthy snacks are heavy.

can i have some gum?

sure, but don't swallow it.

i know, mom.

off he goes.

comes back 2 hours later...

i think i am going to spit it out now.

you still have it?

yep, but i'm all done.

charlie at this age couldn't chew gum for 5 minutes without pulling it out of his mouth and getting it stuck everywhere.

nicklaus loses interest in about 15 minutes and wants a new piece or spits it out.

this one...

a gum chewer after my own heart.

 

today they...

discussed the names they want for their kids...not clear if it their kids or just the names they hope their future spouses will agree to.

played ninjago...he trained her as a new ninja.

collected golden weapons in the play house.

danced to gummi bear, mean, my hearts a stereo, & a dance mix from cascade.

cleared all the cushions from the couch and practiced flips.

spent the entire day together chatting, laughing, & eating chocolate...

without a cross word between them.