Swim, Moo, Serve, Sweat

We've had an extremely busy week full of fun activities and outings.

Swim

Monday was Ben's last swim lesson. This was actually his third session over the past year or so, and he's made great progress. Warming up with Miss Corrin. Practicing "diving" in. Getting comfortable putting his face in the water was a big accomplishment. Ben gets ready to swim on his own. And he swims to the edge! Yay, Ben!!!

Moo

On Tuesday morning, our good friends Rhiannen, Ava, and Eli invited us to join them on a field trip to Cagle's Dairy Farm. The kids loved seeing all the cows and learning where milk comes from! Ben, Ava, and friend Claire learn how the cows are milked.

I love how the boys never cease to surprise me. The kids had a chance to try out the milking machine. Ben, who I thought would never go near it, stepped up and stuck his finger right in ... While Noah, our little dare-devil, was not sure at all ... "Seriously? You want me to put my finger in there?" "Will it hurt?" And finally, with big brother's help, he summoned the courage. Ben's favorite part of the tour was the hayride, even though it was a little "itchy." It was cool to see the farm dog (small black dot on the right) herd the cattle over to the wagon. Noah was definitely intrigued (see his head poking through). This was taken seconds before he tried to climb over the rail into the pasture. Hearing about how the calves are taken care of. (Mommy was trying not to think about how heartbreaking it is that they're taken away from their mothers just one day after being born!) "Here, calf-y, calf-y."This time Noah was not afraid to get his hands dirty. In fact, I think he'd had his hand in each and every calf's mouth before it was over.

Serve

That night we went to The Nicholas House. Jess's firm has been preparing and serving dinner at this homeless shelter once a month, and Ben's been a great helper. This month he and I did the prep work, and I'm so proud of him for learning the importance of service. It's a great experience every time we're there. Ben in the kitchen before dinner service.

Sweat

Wednesday was Preschool Field Day at Ben's school. I was so glad to be able to go and volunteer. It was a blast watching the preschoolers run, kick, pick up marbles with their toes, and carry pool noodles between their legs. I didn't bring my camera, but here's a shot of his nametag -- the kids got a sticker for each event they participated in ... He also had them plastered all over his face, ears, legs, and arms -- after all, he is known as "Sticker Man" to his classmates and teachers.

Great Weekend

This weekend was gorgeous! We spent a lot of time outside and, added bonus, with family. On Saturday morning, Ben and I planted a small vegetable garden -- several varieties of tomatoes and lettuce, carrots, peas, cucumbers, and a few different herbs.

The rows in the middle are where we planted seeds - anyone know if I'm supposed to mulch there also? I have high hopes for some delicious fresh veggies this summer!

Jess's family came up in the afternoon to celebrate the triplets' and Uncle Joseph's birthdays.

Hangin' on the porch.
Aunt Julie Ann's the BEST!
Birdie had to wake Noah up from his nap to get to the restaurant - sleepy boy.

Lovin' Uncle Joseph.
Coloring with Uncle John at the restaurant.

The Davis Family (extended version)

On Sunday we headed to the Inman Park Festival. We got there later in the day, but the boys had a blast riding MARTA, running around, looking at all the artwork, eating junk food, and listening to some blues tunes.

Staying hydrated (aka playing around with a water bottle).More "hydration."

Goofing around during the concert. Noah was all tuckered out on the train ride home.

Ring Around the Rosy

Noah's newest obsession. Thankfully, thus far, Ben's been willing to oblige ...

And they do it over, and over, and over ...

Bunnies and Bulldogs

Yesterday morning we headed to a nearby park for an Easter Egg Hunt and to see the Easter Bunny. The hunt was, well, modest (it started at 10:00 and was over by about 10:05), but we got to see the bunny (Ben asked later in the day, "It's just a person inside a costume, right?") and gather enough eggs for a small sugar rush.

Petting the dog was definitely more interesting than hunting for eggs in Noah's opinion.

A big improvement from last year (and from Santa): No contact, but no tears.

After the hunt we headed to Athens to watch the UGA G-Day exhibition football game. This was Noah's first trip to the stadium. In Athens walking to lunch.

Grandma Jenny, Mr. Kelley, and Uncle Robert met us there.

Go Dawgs!

This morning Ben woke up dying to go upstairs to see if the Easter Bunny (the real one) had been here. It was so fun to watch him hunt the house and light up with excitement every time he spotted an egg.

Yes, those are Christmas pajamas (festive nonetheless, right?).

Checking out his basket.

Noah's Easter morning was less enthusiastic. It started with being awoken out of a deep sleep ... to do what?? Walk around the house looking for plastic eggs filled with things I would never put in my mouth?? No thanks. (Despite the fact that Noah inhales most anything put in front of him at mealtime, he is repulsed by the mere looks of candy and is terribly indignant if you even suggest he put it in his mouth to try it.) He spent the majority of Easter morning pretty ticked off ... And to make matters worse, poor kid had some serious bedhead.

"Just what am I supposed to do with this thing?!"

He did evenutally come around and decided it was more fun to just roll them around in the hall.

Definitely not feelin' the bunny ears.

Finding his basket in the shower brightened his spirits.

Two handsome boys dressed and ready for church.

This afternoon Ben helped me make bunny biscuits (thank you, Richard's Variety Store for the fabulous bunny cutter).