VIDALIA — Basketball, boo-boos and nine little balls of energy filled Alicia Williams’ Mother’s Day Sunday afternoon at her mother’s house in Vidalia.

Williams and her six children, stepchildren and a couple of their friends were enjoying a beautiful afternoon playing outside when The Dart landed at the North Magnolia Street house.

“They’re always together, always,” Williams said. “This is their little gathering place.”

De’Yonna Williams, 9, Destiny Williams, 8, Damion Turner Jr., 8, Veronica Henry, 6, Cameron Turner, 3, Brailen Williams, 2, Sandra Sumler, 1, LaRaija Thomas, 10, and Tyra Coach, 9, spent the day playing basketball, hide-and-seek, riding bicycles and keeping Williams’ hands full.

“It’s a task, watching over them all day,” she said. “There’s never a dull moment.”

Although the children spent the day with their mother on that special day for mothers everywhere, it was their father who was in their thoughts.

Damion Turner Sr. works offshore and works 28 days away from his family and then comes home for 28 days. Turner will be home Thursday.

Williams said Turner has been working offshore for about six or seven years but was laid off shortly after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. He is now back working offshore, and Williams said she is counting down the days until he gets home.

Williams said she has been keeping the children busy playing outside and at the park to pass the time until their father gets home.

“This is how they pass the time,” Williams said looking over at the children playing on the swing set. “We spend a lot of time at Duncan Park. They love to dance and play and just be outside.”

Williams’ children’s eyes widened when they were asked what they wanted to do with their father first. Swimming and playing on a Slip ‘n Slide was the consensus of the children.

But De’Yonna said there was one thing she wanted to do before she went swimming with her dad.

“I’m just going to run up to him and scream and hug him and tell him I love him,” she said.