Carolina Beach 2014

We just returned this week from a long weekend at Carolina Beach.  The boys and I joined Grandaddy for a four-night stay at Aunt Ella and Uncle Joe's condo, and Derek came down for two nights.  It was a fun trip, and we really enjoyed all of the quality time with Grandaddy and Uncle Morgan (AKA "MooMoo")...

"Thanks for the biscuit, Grandaddy!"

"It's way too early for pictures."

I was very impressed with this kite surfer...what a workout!

We did a little working out of our own...Morgan took us to Carolina Beach State Park where we went on a beautiful hike.  Sadly, Davis "ran out of energy" at the end of it.

Reece relaxing and listening to a little music

Valentine's Day

Instead of giving myself a hard time about not blogging for the last couple many months, I'll just start with today, Valentine's Day.  I've never been a big V-Day celebrator, but it's kind of fun to do little Valentine's activities with the boys and to have something to get excited about in the months that seem to have a little bit of a lull-ish feeling following Christmas.  Here are a few of our Valentine's Day shenanigans...

We've been doing a preschool co-op with Anna and Laura and their preschoolers.  We take turns teaching and it's been wonderful to have something fun and educational to do with our Friday mornings.  I was the teacher last week, and we did a little heart-themed art activity.

Reece was not entirely left out.  There were plenty of art supplies left for him when Davis and I got home.  And he loves his one-on-one time with Daddy.

Counting game using M&Ms.  He'll do anything for candy, like his mama.

We've just had a snow/ice storm, and we thought we might lose power, so we had breakfast for dinner on Wednesday night, including pink waffles with sprinkles.  Couldn't risk not having a Valentine's-y meal for the kids!  

Fortunately we did not lose power - many were not so fortunate - so we had another Valentine's meal this morning for breakfast.  Don't those red eggs look just delicious?

They were very excited about their special breakfast and handmade cards from Mommy and Daddy.

Davis ever so gingerly eating his heart-shaped toast with jam and sprinkles

Mommy's chalkboard with a nice little reminder for the season

I guess it's almost time to say goodbye to our Valentine's tree.  We put this up after Christmas when Davis was getting a little sad about the Christmas decorations going away.  We've enjoyed it.  Thank goodness I bought a tacky pink Christmas tree when I was in college and thank goodness it's now getting some use again.

 

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...