BEAUTY FROM OUR YARD

First off... very excited that "Blogger" has done some recent updating, which makes blogging quicker and easier.  YAY!!

Spring has definitely arrived here at the Faucheux Cabin.  So very excited to finally live in a home that has some blooming Perennials.  

I've really enjoyed photography them.  

This first one, is not from our yard, but I recently edited it for a friend.  It's a Peony from the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.

When our neighbors told me that the scraggly bushes we had all along the front of the cabin were Azaleas, well I started jumping up and down with Joy.  However, it took FOREVER for them to fully bloom.  Every where I went, I kept seeing all these beautiful Azalea bushes, but ours had yet to produce anything. Then one day, I saw this, and knew it was just a matter of time. 

 

This little peek-a-boo bud became this... so worth the wait.

While trying to take pictures of the first Azalea blossoms, I caught this extremely Tiny spider in my lens.  

He's probably the size of a small ant.

One of our Azalea bushes has a combination of white and pink blossoms.  The fact that the pink is variegated, intrigues me.  

I've never seen anything like it.

On the side of our house, there are two large Rhododendron bushes.  

When I first saw what the large buds were hiding inside, 

well I was just beyond excited!  

(I've used that word a lot in this post. Sorry!)

Eventually, the large bud opened fully to reveal these beautiful blossoms.

And finally, this last one came from our neighbors yard.  

Gotta love an Iris.

Spring definitely brought some Colorful Joy to the cabin.

BIRTHDAY PARTIES - TIMES 3

Since last December, the boys have been invited to three Birthday Parties... and Yes, I'm just getting around to blogging about them.

The first one was at the beginning of December and was for this little boy... Mr. Matt. He was turning 2.

The party guests... The Faucheux boys,

and the Gordon Girls.

Miss Andrea brought out the cake - well cookies!

Mom and brother help Matt blow out the candles.

Cookie covered Birthday Face!

Then they all tore into the gifts.

It was a short and sweet little party - perfect for a sweet little 2 year old.

The second party was at the end of February, and was for Matt's older brother Lucas, who was turning 5. His party was held at Roma's Restaurant. It's a local Italian restaurant, that has a kids play zone.

Luke had fun riding one of the coin operated cars.

He also was all about tackling the rock wall. Check out that dexterity.

Luke on the trampoline with some of the party guests, which all happen to also be his classmates - MJ, Andrew, Illyana and Luke.

Grey was trying to enjoy one of the coin operated cars, when he gained a passenger.

His expression is priceless.

He Loved it when he got to ride this one all by his self.

The best part of the evening, was this... there was a little slide, that on his second time down, Grey finally learned how to put his feet down, rather than landing on his butt. Talk about Excited!! He kept yelling... "I DID IT, I DID IT!!" He probably went down that slide 30 times. So Proud of Himself! And I was Proud Too.

All the party guests gathered for Cake.

The Birthday Boy blowing out his candles.

MJ, Lucas and Luke checking out the gift that Luke got him.

A fun party of play, pizza, cake and gifts. What more could a bunch of little people ask for?

The 3rd party was at the beginning of March for Luke's classmate, Danielle. Here's the Birthday Girl.

Her party was held at a place called Romp N Roll. The party started in this little gathering area with the hostess explaining what all was going to happen. I guess Grey really liked something she said.

Then they pulled back the curtain, and let all the kids go wild. The place is filled with all kinds of padded climbing and jumping areas.

I was very impressed with Luke attempting to cross the monkey bars.

Grey liked the little trapeze.

Then the hostesses gathered all the kids and had their first organized activity - silly dancing.

The next organized activity was the Jumping Castle. They had all the kids help blow it up.

Luke and Grey getting their "Jump On".

One of the activities that they had available was paddle ball - sponge paddle and balloons. Grey Loved it.

During clean up, I thought Luke was pretty smart to use two paddles to carry a balloon.

Then the hostess attempted to get a group photo. That would be my son in the back holding his shirt up. Love the look on the Birthday Girl's face.

The next activity... Bouncy Ball. I remember having a Donald Duck one when I was little. Luke did pretty good at it.

Grey however had a little trouble, because the balls weren't small enough for him. But luckily, Miss Lonnie helped him out.

Soon it was time for Cake and Ice Cream. First though, everyone had to get lined up so they could March to the Snack room.

The Birthday Cake...

Danielle's Mom, Jennifer, made this cake. Funny story... the morning of the party, Jennifer went downstairs at 6:00am, and found her youngest daughter (who was already up) had helped herself to the cake and devoured the entire bottom front of the cake. Needless to say, Jennifer did an Excellent and Quick repair.

Not sure the Birthday Girl was too excited to blow out the candles.

After their treat, all the kids were back playing like crazy. The boys loved this round bottom platform. Wish they made something like this as a coffee table

The next group activity was the famous Parachute. I remember loving this as a kid in gym glass, and my boys (and all the other kids) loved it just as much.

Love Luke's little head above the parachute, and I LOVE that I captured the Birthday Girl's Plumber Crack - LOL!!

Then it was present time. This party place was incredible, in that they were in charge of gathering the wrapping paper, collecting all the presents, AND writing down what each gift was and who it was from. Love this sweet moment I captured of Luke showing his little friend the gift he had gotten for her.

Danielle loved her Lighted Diamond Wand.

The last thing they did was Disco Bubble Dancing. The lights went out, the Disco ball was turned on, and the Bubble Machine started working it's Magic.

What a Great place for a kid's Birthday Party. They took care of EVERYTHING. A parent can just relax and enjoy the party along with their child - not having to worry about all the little details that go into throwing a party.

The boys had fun at all 3 parties, now we have to start planning a party of our own... someone's turning Three soon.