Waiting Games

William always seems to know when it is about time for Joel to get home from work.  Because we have a one-car garage, Joel parks his car in front of the house, which means William has a great view of him through the big picture window in our living room.

Often William camps out here and watches for Papa's car.  Most of the time he is alone but occasionally one of the other kids joins him.

Once Joel does come home, William laughs and laughs and runs right into his arms.  I don't ever get tired of watching his enthusiasm.

Everett likes a different approach.  He and Ashley drag the mattress off the toddler bed, strip it of sheets, and bring it down to use as a barricade by the front stairs.  Then they ask me to get Joel's nerf gun (his Father's Day present this year) out, load it up, and then the three of them sit and wait.

Everett gets antsy and has to peek over the top often.

Then finally Joel arrives and the ambush begins!

But the kids always underestimate Joel's strength and are genuinely surprised when he can push through their cushy barricade.

Lots of laughs, lots of noise, lots of chaos and running around.  That's the way it goes around here!