Last Friday afternoon the boys were in the living room playing on the Wii for a bit. I usually let them play some after a long week at school. But around 4:30 I hollered from the kitchen into the living room and told them it was time for our walk.
From B:
“Okay, let’s go. Where did you put my green Ninja band, Mom?”
“I didn’t put it anywhere, honey. Where did YOU leave it?”
“Oh, I think I know!”
From K:
“Mommy, can I be a lion on our walk?”
“Sure, honey.”
From me:
“Gavin, do you want to change out of your school clothes before our walk? It might be a good idea.”
“No, I’m good.”
So we set out with the green wagon full of “stuffies” and “blankies” and G and K rode for a bit until they both decided they wanted to play “sneaky spy” like their older brother. They bailed out of the wagon and all three kids ran around the neighborhood, hiding behind bushes, tree trunks, and porch posts while I pulled it along, and pretended not to see them.
I can only imagine what some of the neighbors thought of them. But honestly, I don’t really care because they are mine and they are completely awesome.

OMG I love K’s lion head so hard.
That picture is priceless.
So much fun. You will treasure that picture forever.
Sounds like a perfects adventure!! I’d much prefer the creativity of a walk with a lion, Perry the Platapus and a shortie
That IS awesome. Blankie and all.
This is so great. I like you — tell my 9 yo — okay “it’s time to go run with the dog.” Our runs are very walk like, but dragging him out there is always a chose. But worth it. He’s never tried it in a lion head though.
Um, yes, they are SO awesome. I’ve basically always let my kids dress how they want – if they’re okay with it, I’m okay with it.
That picture = perfect. xo
this is freaking phenomenal. Their expressions in this picture! the best! Also, I am the same way. Love letting my kids be themselves, and mine would totally do something like this too. Seriously, thanks for the big smile

You win the internet!!!! You also win the Best Mom Ever award. I love that you let them express themselves like this. Love love love it.
This needs entered into a photo contest or something. It’s that good.
Haha! I bet the neighbors thought they (and you) are awesome.
Love that pic!
I would be getting that picture on a canvas, pronto. SO PERFECT. And I’m jealous that you have a neighborhood to walk in. We have to get in the car and drive somewhere to do things like that, and it’s a little different when it’s not “your” town, you know?
That is priceless! The Perry shirt, the lion and swinging from the railing. All in a day’s work for an active mom!
That is such a cool picture!
My daughter is 15 and she hardly ever takes her Perry shirt off – she also wears a Perry hat in the winter and a Perry hoodie as a jacket:)
Hahahaha… that’s so awesome.
The picture is awesome
Perfect visual of your little ones!
Priceless. Should be framed for future. oh man it’s great
I loved this photo when you first posted it and I still love it. Your family kicks ass.
So awesomely NINJA!!! Love it!
Amazingly awesomely AWESOME. I want to be your neighbor now
Oh I love this, my kids are constantly in costume and I think it makes people smile more often than roll their eyes (at least that’s what I’ve decided to believe).
Best picture ever!!!!!!!!!!!
Fabulous image, the lion head is just awesome
Mollyxxx
Too adorable! Love their imaginations!
This is SO AWESOME!!! I love it!
LOVE LOVE LOVE this!! What a fun way to take a walk BTW: so not cool that you can wear shorts right now – I currently have on knee socks and a fleece (among other things of course…not JUST knee socks and a fleece)
OMG – I laughed out loud! What a fabulous crew you have there Elaine! Also, I love that you say hollered. So very Texan of you!
for real? You are all in shorts? Do you want a vacation in the windy city?? I’ll swap you right now?? We have adorable girls rooms??
Ha! They probably thought they were kids. Kids are strange, but they are so cute!