Decatur Beach Party

Every June Decatur blocks off traffic downtown and fills the street with sand for a makeshift beach party. The kids have a great time digging and building. When I told Ben we were going to a beach party, he couldn't quite understand why there wouldn't be an ocean. But once there, he had a great time, even without the ocean ...

Ben, Marli, and Kira dig away.

Time out from playing for a laid-back dinner.

Noah wasn't too sure about the sand (we kept him on a blanket at the real beach). He sat holding his legs up so as not to have his feet touch ... "What is this stuff?"

"Nope, I don't like this at all." "Seriously, can somebody pleeease pick me up?"

He was, however, quite sweet on baby Caroline ...

"Now this is what I'm talkin' about." "Let me just get a little closer. Yep, you're pretty cute!"

Zoo Atlanta

Today we had a free morning, so the boys and I headed to one of our all-time favorite places - the zoo! Statue of beloved gorilla Willie B. Elephant! Looking at the real giraffes ... and hugging the bronze variety.

We made a quick stop at the playground before we left. Ben drove Noah to school ... then hopped off the bus.

"Hee-hee. Now I have it all to myself!"

Birthday Celebration Part III

Yesterday we had a party at our friend Sam's house for all the kids in our playgroup who have May, June, and July birthdays. So, of course, Ben and Noah were honorees. (I promise this is the last celebration for Ben turning 3 - enough already, right?) Everyone gathers around to sing Happy Birthday. Ben and Kira share a seat to eat their cupcakes. Pinata time! (Nowadays they come with strings to pull rather than having to whack them open. Safer? Yes. More fun? Probably not.) Ben makes a grab for it.

While technically a guest of honor, Noah was pretty oblivious to the whole birthday thing and just had a great time playing ...

When we got home, a shipment of diapers had arrived and the boys had a ball playing with the box (the best "toy" ever). Ben took Noah for a ride on his train, blowing the whistle, "Choo-Choo!"

Noah Crawls!

He's actually been crawling for a couple of weeks now, but I've only just gotten around to getting it on tape. Go, Noah!

Another new favorite activity is playing peek-a-boo. Anything he can find to cover his face will do, in this case the washcloth I was using to clean him up after lunch ...

Beach Trip

We spent this past week at the beach and had a blast. Ben loved swimming in the ocean, looking for seashells, and playing in the sand. And while he couldn't really do those things, Noah seemed to enjoy the ocean air too.

Ben proved to be quite the little sun worshiper. Seriously, a dermatologist's worst nightmare. Thankfully, Noah was happy to just chill in the shade. Fun in the pool. Dinner on the marina.

While we weren't on the beach or in the pool, we found lots of fun places for the boys (all 3 of them - I think Jess may have had more fun than anyone) to play ... Peeking through an octopus tunnel. All aboard! A spin on the carousel.

Bumper Boats Speed Racer And while Ben (and Daddy) felt the need for speed ...

Noah preferred life in the slow lane.And imagine that - we found another train to ride!

Ben's Birthday Part II

We celebrated Ben's birthday with family and friends at our neighborhood park. We were so happy to have Birdie, Grandpa, Aunt Julie Ann, Uncle John, and Uncle Joseph come, as well as Grandma Jenny and Kelley - we missed you Uncle Robert, Aunt Jennifer, and entire Michigan crew! A couple of Ben's dearest pals, Ava and Kira (and siblings Eli and Marli), joined in the fun. Playing with Uncle John and Aunt Julie Ann. Pushing Ava on the swing.

Noah was happily passed around to ... Aunt Julie Ann, Grandma Jenny, Birdie, and Grandpa.

After the park, we walked up to our neighborhood pizza place for food, cupcakes, and of course, presents!
Cupcake time ...

"Happy Birthday to you!" Blowing out the "Blue's Clues" candle, and digging in.

Ava, Kira, and Marli are frosting girls.

Then it was time for presents ...

Such a fun celebration!