Yardwork, camping and an unfortunate balloon incident...

Austin spent another Saturday raking and hauling another seven pick-up loads of leaves.  And there's still at least one more load along the side of the garage that he didn't get to before the yard waste site closed for the day.  I spent the morning planting approximately 125 tulip, daffodil and crocus bulbs.  My hands are rubbed raw and my muscles are aching, but it's going to be so exciting when spring comes! 

Later in the afternoon the kids & I attended a "camping' themed birthday party of a friend.  It was a fun time with yummy food.  However, there was a little incident with a balloon.  The birthday girl had a partially deflated Mylar balloon she had acquired from another birthday party the week before.  Emily had been having fun playing with it inside the house.  At some point after supper, the birthday girl decided to take her balloon outside and let it go.  Of the four kids there all about 5-years-old, there were two drastically different reactions.  The birthday girl and another girl were jumping up and down with excitement and yelling, "Amazing!" as the balloon slowly got smaller and smaller as it rose and drifted southeast.  Emily and another little boy, however, had absolute sobbing meltdowns of which I have not witnessed in some time.  Emily wanted to know how they were going to find the balloon back and insisted over and over that no one at her party would be allowed to take balloons outside.  Lincoln joined in with a sympathy cry for awhile, too.  Mercy!  Thankfully, we got everyone calmed down enough to enjoy a fun game and cupcakes.  I guess now I know to be extra careful the next time Emily ever gets a balloon for anything!