SEASON'S FIRST WATER TABLE FUN

Yesterday, here in Virginia, we had beautiful weather. Definitely not what my family and friends in the Mid-West were experiencing. Hope all of you were safe during this last round of Tornados.

Because of the nice weather, the boys and I got out their water play table, cleaned it up and filled it with fresh water. This year, I decided it would be easier to set it up down in the driveway rather than up on the deck. They were so excited to play in it. While they were playing, I was doing a little photography practice.

Luke was actually a willing subject for me to practice on.

He's showing me his muscles.

I ended up moving the table to get it out of the direct sun, and then had to move it again, when I unknowingly set it on an ant hill. Poor little Grey had ants crawling all over him.

Luke just heard an airplane overhead.

This was the only picture I got of Grey actually looking at me. Even though he's holding his sippy cup, I love this picture, because it shows exactly how he holds the sippy cup. He always holds it off to the side so he can see.

Just some miscellaneous pics.

This photo worries me. You can see both boy's ribs. I promise, I do feed them.

I think Grey was having a lot of fun.

More practice...

This last picture was a happy mistake. I don't even remember taking it - I was just clicking away. It turned out really blurry, but once I converted it black and white, it took on this dreamy quality.

I love how I can still see the "baby" in my almost four year old boy.

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

Last Tuesday, on the 17th, was Luke's last day of his first year of Pre-School. I took this picture to show how much he has changed from the first day of school.

That same evening, the Pre-School held a Promotion/Graduation Ceremony - Promotion for the 3 year olds to the 4 year old class, and Graduation for the 4 year olds who will be leaving to go to Kindergarten. I didn't get a whole lot of good pics, but I thought this one was cute of Luke and his little classmates peeking over the railing. Can you see Luke?

This picture shows the ONLY SECOND that Luke was participating in the songs they sang for us. The rest of the time, he just stood there.

This is really blurry, but it's of Luke walking up to Miss Susan to receive his Promotion Certificate.

He's already asked a couple of times when he gets to go to school and see his friends. Hope he can make it three months.

GREY DANIEL TURNS TWO

Seriously? How is it that Grey is already two? Good thing I'm as old as I am, or I would totally be convincing Marc that we need to have another baby.

Saturday the 14th, was Grey's Big Day. That morning, we worked at the Farmer's Market (in the rain), and then that evening, we had some friends over for dinner to help us celebrate.

After the Market, I ran to the store to pick up the cake that I had ordered. It was a big hit with both boys. Luke loved telling Grey all about it.

Then Grey would tell Luke all about it.

Grey loved the Baseball.

In this pic, he's saying the word "Baseball"

Happy Birthday little Slugger!

As our guests were arriving, I tried to get some pics of Grey...

... but he was always on the move.

We invited the Myers', the Walker's, and the Usas'. Miss Brenda had so much fun playing with Luke and his tricycle.

Silly Mr. Keith.

Luke loved the ride, eventually. He wasn't sure of it at first, so Miss Brenda went Real Slow.

Finally, it was time for dinner. Marc had made Ribs, and we all eagerly dug in. Neither one of the boys are big meat eaters, so I didn't even think to give the Birthday Boy a rib. About 15 minutes into the meal, he has pointing at one and saying "Want". So I gave him one.

Pretty sure he liked it. So glad I had my camera to capture that experience.

Then, with our tummy's full, it was all about Grey. Here's his cake.

Marc had to hold him back - not sure if it was grabbing for the candles or digging into the cake.

He loved everyone singing to him.

In these next four pics, he's also singing.

This is my FAVORITE picture of the night!!!

Daddy helped with the candle blowing.

Both Grey and Luke wasted no time digging in.

Rick was kind enough to take a couple of family shots for us.

Grey was intent on sharing with Me.

The icing, of course, was his favorite part.

He's got a fistful of icing in his right hand.

Eventually, he got an actual piece of the cake, and he dug right in.

Then it was present time. Definitely has the unwrapping down pat.

Checking out his new movie.

A way cool sand shovel.

A bunch of new beach toys.

At this point, it was way past their normal bed time, so we put their pajamas on and put them to bed, even though our guests were still here. Well, that didn't last long. Grey would not stop screaming and crying. I thought Miss Bonnie was going to go out of her mind. Unlike me, she can not stand to hear a child cry. After about 20 minutes, we let the boys come out and watch their new movie.

Grey was very content to snuggle with Daddy. They both lasted about 15 minutes before they had calmed down and were ready to go to bed for good.

Happy Second Birthday, Grey Daniel!!!! Mommy, Daddy and Luke love you Bunches!!!