Super Davis Turns Three!

This post is only two months late...

We had the best birthday party for Davis this year.  It was held at Lake Benson Park, where we frequent as a family at least once a week and have since D was probably nine months old.  It was simple.  It was full of family and friends.  It was perfect.  Perhaps the best part (aside from getting to celebrate our boy's third birthday with some of our favorite people) was the fact that the park was flooded in spots due to heavy rains in the days leading up to the party.  The children loved playing in the creek and the lake, both of which were much fuller than usual.  A few rules were  broken.  A few clothes came off.  Some seriously awesome memories were made.

Beach Weekend

The boys and I just got back today from a three-night stay at OIB with G-Ma.  Derek stayed home to catch up on school work, yard work, and sleep!  I have to admit, I've been hesitant to try a beach trip with both boys when Derek couldn't go.  It's a lot of work, but I'm so glad we went.  Davis and Reece had lots of fun, learned tons, and got to spend some time with Uncle Morgan ("Moo-Moo").

I was so proud of Davis for being brave and getting in the swimming pool with me.  He normally just hangs out on the steps and doesn't want to go into the deep water.  But, with a little coaxing and the challenge of a race against Moo-Moo, he allowed me to carry him into the deeper water and swim around with him a little.  He even splashed with his arms and practiced kicking his legs while holding onto the side of the pool, which is a big deal for someone who can't stand being sprayed with a sprinkler or having his hair washed.  I'm planning to look into swimming lessons for him soon, and I want him to keep having lots of positive experiences in the water.

Reece was mostly a mama's boy while we were at the beach, but he did allow G-Ma and Moo-Moo to play with him some, and he gave Davis and me a few minutes to grab some ice cream and pizza together (in that order).  He quickly trained both of them to walk around and hold him constantly, and he especially enjoyed rubbing noses with Moo-Moo and laughing hysterically about it.

The boys' first time dipping their toes in the water

D and his "surf board"

Reece enjoying the wet sand

He needed a break after a few minutes of that

I think this picture captures the pure joy that Davis exudes when he sees the ocean.

Love this profile shot of my boy with the wind in his hair.

We got to look at the day's catch when a group of fishermen docked their boat outside the restaurant where we were eating.  Davis loves a dead fish.

My boys playing peacefully for a few minutes

D's first mini-golf experience!

G-Ma can baby-wear like a pro now.

John Reece

Whew!  I'm sitting here looking at pictures from Reece's first birthday party, which just ended a little while ago, and I'm getting all misty-eyed.  It's hard to pinpoint what I'm feeling...I guess it's a mixture of emotions:  pride, happiness, and love, of course...and also maybe a little sadness (okay, a lot of sadness) that this baby is growing up so quickly.  I will say, however, that I'm grateful that this one is taking things a little slower than his older brother.  Thank you, Reece, for letting me hold you, for crawling, for being a mama's and daddy's boy, for not being in too big a rush.  We aren't in a rush either.  Take it slowly, sweet boy.  You've got all the time in the world...

The Morning After

Says Davis as he walks sleepily into the dining room the day after my birthday:  "Mommy, is it still your birthday?"

Me:  "No, buddy, my birthday was yesterday.  It's not my birthday anymore."

Davis, voice cracking and on the verge of tears:  "But my want it to still be your birthday."

Me:  "Davis, it's ok.  We still have the cupcakes."

Davis:  "Oh."

(Sigh of relief)

Birthdays

We are well into birthday season around here.  Just this month we've had Papa's, Uncle Stephen's, Uncle Morgan's, and today we celebrated Nana's.  Mine's next, followed by Reece's in May and then Davis' in June.  Fun times!  Derek and Nana went to a nice grown-up lunch in Raleigh today, and while they were gone Davis and I made a cake.  He loves to cook anything, but whenever he gets to use "pinkles" he is extra happy happy.

Yesterday, Derek watched both boys so I could go get a pedicure and eat lunch with my friend, Christy.  It was so nice to have a few hours of "girl time" and have a relaxed, leisurely lunch!  We've continued to enjoy the beautiful weather and spring temperatures, and even though everything's covered in pollen we're having lots of fun in our back yard.

"Sunflowers" for Nana (D thinks any orange or yellow flower is a sunflower)

Our new birthday season flag

Davis the pastry chef

The masterpiece

Dang, this boy looks like his Grandaddy!

Happy birthday!

Something tells me this one will be diving into his birthday cake next month...

Happy Easter

Yesterday we celebrated Easter with Nana, Papa, and Grandaddy over some shrimp and grits (yum!).  Nana brought the boys some awesome Easter goodies and we've all been on a sugar high ever since. This mama is notorious for stealing jelly beans.  And M&Ms.  And Reese's Pieces.  We got to enjoy some beautiful (and finally spring-like) weather and some good family time, and after everyone went home we spent most of the afternoon out back digging in the dirt.

My back is now turned to my sweet boys (literally, not figuratively), who are laughing hysterically as they blow bubbles and Sadie jumps in the air to eat them.  Reece's belly laugh is contagious, and the rest of us fall victim to it every time.

We just got back from G-Ma's house a little while ago, and there we dyed and hunted for Easter eggs (Davis hid them, and then promptly found them--his choice, of course), ate a delicious meal outside, and got to hang out with G-Ma, Aunt CC, and Uncle MooMoo.  A good time was had by all, except for when Davis had a little accident and broke off half of his toenail...ouch!  As usual, the four of us enjoyed breathing the country air and exploring the farm.

On the hunt...shouldn't be too hard, since he just hid the eggs.

Examining his booty

Grass!

Davis is riding Pluto, which Mommy and MooMoo used to ride at his age.  Reece is after his tail.

Doing a few one-armed push-ups to stay in shape

The Easter Bunny brought D a scooter "like Cooper's"...lucky dog!

Deep in thought

Daddy must've said something funny.

I think blue is G-Ma's color.  And coffee is definitely her drink.

I. Love. This. Picture.

Spring Festivities

On Saturday we got a chance to participate in two fun spring activities:  the annual "Spring Eggstravaganza" at Lake Benson Park and Papa's birthday gathering!  Here are a few pictures to document our wonderful day...

Handsome boys

More handsome boys

The Reece Look

Davis loved "driving" the tractor and the cement truck

D trying to decide if he liked the musician or not...

Lollipop lover

On his play set at Nana and Papa's

The best toy of all time--a stick

Climbing on Papa's fort

King (and Queen) of the castle

Sweet John Reece

The very first pair of shoes Davis picked out and actually cares about...he loves his Chucks

High on life

My happy baby boy

Happy Birthday, Papa!