During playtime it can get loud in our house, especially during the colder months when the kids are playing with toys that beep, blink and play music. Sometimes we'll gather up a few of the toys and put them away and bring them back out when spring comes around. That way they seem like they're brand new again and they can play with them in the yard.

When it's pretty weather the kids are able to really get out and play; they just have at it. They love to play basketball and they enjoy playing broomball, a game that's played by setting up hockey nets and hitting the ball back and forth with broomball sticks -- it's a lot of fun and gets rid of a lot of energy!

One of the kids' favorite places to hang out is on our tree swing, although the trampoline and the slides are usually the first place that they head. But mostly I think it's just the fact that they're outside enjoying the sunshine after so many winter days when they'd finish their homework and suddenly it was 5 p.m. and the sun was already going down. But now we can all enjoy more daylight and get out in the fresh air!