Picnics with Daddy at the Playgrounds - take 3!

We were back at post by 8:40 to bring Joe and a couple of his fellow Catholic OCs to Mass at 9am.  I really can't say enough about the Chaplain they have on post there.  He is rock solid, and I think he relates well with the soldiers.  They are really blessed to have him as a spiritual resource there.  There was coffee and juice for the kids afterwards, and the kids and I showed Joe the Blessed Sacrament chapel.  Then we dropped his friends back at the barracks and headed back to our usual spot.  We sure are lucky that no one else has had a similar idea, because we have basically had this park to ourselves whenever we have been there!

We changed the kids into their play clothes right away, since the timing was such that we would play a bit before the eating began...

 Therese was a bit more of a comedian that usual... no, actually, she is always a pretty big comedian.  I take that back.

 Daddy's Lady and Little Princess!

 Like mother-like daughter... BOTH Of our scapulars have escaped their confines!

 David, my little "beat boy", loves to walk across this path, because at this point the cement turns into a metal "bridge", which he loves to dance and and hear the noise!  He laughs and laughs!

 Joseph, faithfully shoving liquids at the kids...

And playing with them as mom cleans up lunch.

 We played until a little after noon, and then said "See you on Friday" (hopefully!)  It is really good that we are here, because these short-term good-byes are actually becoming easier and easier for all of us.  We are coming to accept that we have to enjoy the time that we are given, and just look forward to the next installment.  It comes quickly, if you just choose not to sit and stew until it arrives!  Therese and David (and myself) all left post today in a very good mood, knowing that we had some great Daddy picnics, and that we will soon have more - or maybe even some meals at home with him?!  Time (and his Cadre) will tell!

We finished out our Sunday with a good nap followed by some great outdoor time in the 95 degree heat!  Here, Therese shows her climbing skills, which her and Daddy had worked on this weekend:

 And then we went SWIMMING!  And we really went this time... not just in for 5 seconds and then calling it quits.  We SWAM and I had to call an end to it after a while, because David was being very good sitting on my hip, while getting his feet and legs wet, but he was just yearning for some solid ground and another chance on the slide!

 But sometimes random objects are more fun than slides! 

 And then Mommy spotted them - only a few feet away from us... DUCKLINGS!  I had just been noticing that the goslings had left our pond, and here we have a brand new batch of little ones to enjoy! 

 Needless to say, after all this activity, we were very ready for supper, another cool bath, and bedtime!  Goodnight!