Birthday Braves Game

Ben chose to take a couple of friends to dinner and a Braves game over having a party this year, so last night we took his good pals Ava and Grayson out for one final birthday celebration. Good buddies.

And the 5-year-old silliness begins.
Dinner at Ben's favorite restaurant.

More goofiness at Turner Field.

Some frozen lemonade, a few foam tomahawks and #1 fingers, lots of giggles, and a Braves win later, we had three very happy and tired kiddos on our hands. Such a fun night!

Ben's Birthday Adventure

Yesterday was Ben's 5th birthday, and it was extraordinary. With such a milestone, a parent could easily feel somewhat melancholy over the rushing passing of time and childhood's fleetingness. But with a day like yesterday, it was impossible to feel anything but pure gratitude, joy, and love. It was one of those days that's beautiful and shiny and perfect in every way (they're so rare, aren't they?), and makes you want to savor the memory forever. Thankfully, we have pictures to help us do so ...

Ben woke up for a festive birthday breakfast, before heading off to meet his ... ... own private jet! A former client of Jess's owns a plane and offered to let us use it to fly to the beach for the day.The pilots let him sit up front in the jump seat for a portion of the flight - doesn't get much cooler for a 5-year-old.A quick 45-minute flight and we were on Amelia Island. When we got there, we literally spent the entire day by the pool and on the beach.Lunch poolside.

Noah was happy to trade in his afternoon nap for some cuddle time with Daddy by the ocean.

Ben asked me, "Did you know that some species of turtles do not retract their heads?" (Which reminded me of, "Did you know the human head weighs eight pounds?" )

Finally, dinner with friends Chad and Leah and their four beautiful girls before heading back to the plane.

Happy birthday, sweet Ben! Thank you for letting us share this incredible day with you!

Playgroup Birthday Celebration

Ben got a celebration warm-up earlier this week with a party for our playgroup friends who have May birthdays - Ben, Joseph, and Eli. Playing with buddy Joseph, who was born just a day before Ben at the same hospital!

We are so fortunate to have this beautiful circle of friends. Can't believe we've celebrated five years of birthdays together already!

Springtime at School

Ben will be starting a new school next year. While we're really excited that he'll be there, we're a little heartbroken that he has said good-bye to his preschool. It's an incredible place that Ben LOVED in every way. We're so thankful that his teachers captured many of their springtime activities in pictures ... Daddy's turn as Mystery Reader.
A favorite activity was "fairytale theater," where the kids acted out different stories they'd read. Here is Ben as the Big Bad Wolf in Little Red Riding Hood (although not so big and not so bad).
Artwork creations are always unique and elaborate at his school. Here, the kids design and build castles from recycled materials.
A major focus of the school is outdoor education. Each class has its own garden, and the kids love planting, exploring, and tending to their plot of land.
Ben and friends use the flowers in their garden as inspiration for still-life drawings.
Examining an iris that the kids planted last fall.

The class used bamboo sticks to measure the distance around this plot. They discovered that each side was four bamboo sticks long - a square!

Spanish teacher Estela helps Ben find treasures in the garden.

Each student in his class had a fifth-grade "Nature Buddy" (or two) to explore the school's nature trail with. Here is Ben with his buddies Ben and Nic (whom he adored).

The kids used sticks and clay to build "fairy houses," which they then put out in their garden (because, as it would happen, there are many fairies living around the school).

One of the class's end-of-year field trips was to the flight school at a nearby airport. This was of particular interest to Ben because it happened to be the same airport that he'd fly out of a couple of weeks later (birthday post to come).

The class had a cookie decorating party before school ended. These were Ben's masterpieces - one for each member of our family, including "Sally" (what the boys are calling baby #3). He's insisted I keep her cookie for her until she's old enough to eat it - "Maybe in about 3 years."

Last day of school with his phenomenal teachers Stephanie and Sarah.

Root Children

Ben's class has been studying forests and reading the book, "When the Root Children Wake Up." In the story, the root children have a masquerade parade at the end of winter. So, as part of their end-of-year activities, the class put on their own parade yesterday. The kids decorated their costumes and headdresses and created maracas using fruit seeds (Ben was a grasshopper, second from last in the video). They sang and paraded through the whole school. It was beautifully simple and spring-like. This is Ben's last year at the school, and we will miss its earthy, homey sensibilities dearly (although Noah will be there next year).

The class enjoyed a family picnic afterward, and then some fun play time.

Ben and pal Ava.
Noah sporting his new summer do.

Saturday Fun

The weather was gorgeous last weekend, so we headed to Piedmont Park for some playtime Saturday afternoon.
Then we met our friends for a picnic dinner and live music at the Concert on the Square.

Eli, Ava, and Noah bust some moves.