'Dozer Day with Daddy

Dan took the children to "'Dozer Day" during our "Mother's day do-over" and gave me the afternoon at home alone. I usually like to go on these outings as a family but I was in need of a break and some time to myself. It's rare that I have an opportunity to be alone in the house, so I REALLY appreciated this. I was impressed that Dan was willing to do this event without another adult. It would not be the easiest outing!

He even brought our little camera along and snapped some pictures--he did great! The kids all had a chance to "drive" the excavator which was really neat.

Doesn't Andrew look at home there? This is right up his alley!

Even Katie got in on the action. Dan said she was really smiling and happy but didn't manage to capture it. He said she was a real trooper all afternoon, riding happily in the backpack. She came home and told me, "See truck!"

The kids had an opportunity to dig for treasure. Dan said that Andrew LOVED this.

Matthew was really excited about finding his treasure....

The boys' treaure....

They had a great day getting dirty, riding in a dump truck, digging in the dirt, climbing in a construction playground. The bathtub is always covered in dirt at the end of this day!

And this is actually what the boys came home MOST excited about....

Andrew brought this board home and was SO proud.

Isn't that a fun photo?

And for fun, here we are on our first 'Dozer Day. Andrew was just a baby! We went there for Matthew's 3rd birthday party. He had a "Bob The Builder" party that year.

Andrew was such a big baby--my arms have never been as toned as when Andrew was little! :) Didn't he have the cutest cheeks?

Dozer Day!!

We took the kids to Dozer Day today! They had a fantastic time. It was a beautiful day. Sunshine at last!!

A note for next year: Go AFTER lunch. It was CRAZY the first few hours. (We ended up staying for FIVE hours). The early part of the day felt like Disneyland during busy season. The lines were long...it was crowded and hot. But after we had a bite to eat and the day wore on things slowed down and it was a lot easier for the children.

There were so many neat experiences for the kids...

We rode in the back of a dump truck!

They each got to dig in an excavator! VERY exciting.

The first time we went to Dozer day, it was Matthew's 3rd birthday.

I remember when he climbed into the seat to do this, I had tears in my eyes because I knew how excited he was. (He LOVED "excatators"). I was so happy for him that he got to do this. Andrew got to participate this year as well (last time he was a baby!) and he loved it.

Silly Daddy!

They played in the dirt a lot.

They even got to drive a bulldozer! Check out this bad boy.

Andrew was so cute. He nearly ran to the bulldozer. You can see in this photo how he was pumping his arm so hard as he was on his way. That was my favorite moment of the day. This small expression of his excitement was so endearing to me.

And then he was just smiling so big as he was driving. I was so happy for him. The driver was really nice on this one. He was really having fun with the kids. It was sweet.

Matthew was really excited to do this. He didn't ride a bulldozer last time so this was great. They would push the dirt into a pile and then drive the bulldozer on top of it. Such fun for the kids...

And they were able to climb on lots of different equipment.

Here they used the controls to the garbage truck to empty a can of garbage!

Kaitlin was a TROOPER. She won the best baby award. Just riding so happily in the backpack. She didn't even get a nap...She really did so well. I think she was asleep before we got out of the parking lot.

And just some random photos...

On a side note, I went and got a new hair cut this morning. I gave my hairdresser artistic license and told her to do whatever she wanted. This is what she did.

It's short!

Dan loves it, I think I do too. I'm hoping I can figure out how to style it again in the morning.

I can never get enough of Kaitlin walking and holding her Daddy's hand...

She's getting so big...She loved riding on my shoulders. She'd hold underneath my chin and then started leaning around to see my face and trying to stick her fingers in my nose! She thought it was hilarious. I did too, but that's when the piggy back ended. :)

And I just liked this one of Dan. Coincidentally, also sporting a new hair cut. His was much less expensive. Done in the garage. By me. If you like the style, I'd be happy to do yours. :)

I think one of the most special things that I get to experience as a parent is how my children's happiness brings me such happiness. I never would choose to spend the day at Dozer Day for my own entertainment. (I very much appreciate construction workers, but don't really have the need to climb on the equipment, you know). But I was SO excited for this day for the boys. It's like a little boy's dream come true to get to do these things. And just to get to watch their excitement and see them having this experience brings me such joy and happiness for them. It's the best part of being a parent. It was a dirty, hot day with long lines, and it was fantastic.

I took this picture as we were walking out. (Little Andrew was tired and had just popped his first balloon sword. We went back for a second. He was still sad--which is why he looks like that). Before I took the photo I told Dan: Ice cream stained faces, newly freckled noses from the sun, dirty knees, a balloon sword, and a plastic bag full of junk = a happy day. (And 2 tired parents!)