We walk across the street and in the front door. Backpacks and shoes are immediately kicked off and thrown all over the floor. It's homework time. Liv usually has some reading and coloring. Cole has reading, spelling, and a math page, while Ethan has the most. Usually reading, math, spelling, social studies, etc. The kids also have a daily job they have to do.
But, once this is done they race for the back door.
Ethan yells, "meet at the secret fort." They all hop on their bikes and take off.
Every day they take a different route, but always meet at the same spot.
It makes my heart warm every time I see all three of them riding off together for their "secret fort". It's not so secret. Shawn and I know where it is. They come home an hour or so later covered in mud with dripping wet shoes. They smell of outside, dirt and sweat. They are smiling. They are happy.
I love this time of day. It happens every day after school. It first started because I told them they couldn't play their PS games until they played outside for at least an hour. They didn't love it at first, but now it is their waiting for them every day after school and they can hardly wait.
They ride hard and play hard (and dirty). Ethan came home this past week with a shredded tire. They ride down big hills covered in mud which they often crash down. They have all told me stories of being picked up off the ground by complete strangers who witness their crash. But, they get up and do it again.
I love the mud on their clothes. It means they play hard.
I love the soaking wet shoes. It means they are having fun.
I love the smiles they come home with. It means they are happy!
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