The Bongo Ball

Ethan received a really cool present from Nonnie and Papaw (Casey's parents) for his birthday...the Bongo Ball. It's really just a huge inflatable ball with two openings so you can get inside and roll around. At the end of last month, we blew it up, stuffed it in the back of my car (with the hatch half-way open), and drove to the elementary school and park near our house. There's a great hill and huge open fields, which we figured would be perfect for giving this thing a try.

Both the boys jumped in right away...and learned very quickly that it's a one-person-at-a-time kind of toy. 

So, Ethan went first since it was his present. And truthfully, we would have had to pry him out of there...he absolutely loved it. And he hadn't even gone anywhere yet.

Then daddy pushed him up the hill. Obviously we were wanting an extra workout because we didn't think to take the (empty) ball up the hill before Ethan got in. Because that would have been the easy way.

Nevertheless, they made it to the top and then started rolling down. It wasn't a steep enough hill that Ethan could just go all on his own. Casey had to follow and roll him a bit, which was probably a good thing.

At the bottom of the hill and still smiling...he had fun!

Next it was Logan's turn. Except he suddenly didn't want to get inside at all. Logan changes his mind about things faster and more frequently than anyone I've ever met. Ever.

Since Logan didn't want a turn, daddy decided to have a go. And instantly became Violet Beauregard. The reference was lost on our boys, of course.

But they do know how to chase...and daddy can't really run that fast with a 1.5 foot space in which to move his legs.

Someone (Casey) talked me into taking a turn inside the ball too.

After we all pushed Ethan around some more (Logan was still having none of it), Casey decided it would be fun to use his body weight to propel himself down the hill. He went at a pretty good speed and Ethan thought it was pretty much the best thing ever.

When the ball was left unoccupied for just a minute (quick water break), the wind picked up and it took off on it's own!

It really did take off...they actually had to run to catch it. And Ethan and Logan thought it was the funniest thing that the ball was floating around on its own. That sparked some play time with no one in the ball and they got worn out running around with it.

After another water break and safely storing the giant ball, we headed over to the adjacent playground that the boys had been eyeing since we arrived.

I don't believe that you are ever too old to swing as high as you can on a swing set...

I love that our boys still love to hold our hands. It is so sweet. And I love this little snapshot of all three of my guys.