A Relaxing Beach Day

 I didn't think I would ever enjoy a relaxing day at the beach for at least another 10 years.  By then, I figured I'd be so tired I wouldn't even WANT to go to the beach anymore.  But we have discovered a secret.  And it's pretty major.  Want to relax at the beach??

Bring your baby's swing! 

Genuis if I do say so myself.  I mentioned it to Phil and we debated how much flack we'd get and how ridiculous we'd look.  But our friend's the Hoffenberg's gave me the confidence. ("If people don't have kids, they'll never understand your plight anyway, if they do ... they'll only wish they'd thought of it")  How right they were!  Phil and I took turns sitting under the umbrella relaxing with Weezy (this is my current nickname for Megan Lou-weeze Balas ...).  We were thus afforded a nearly 5 hour trip to the beach free of tears!  As I said, MAJOR.

Meanwhile, as Weezy swung blissfully away, Pip and Viv played.  Burying each other in the sand ...

Shoveling ...

Digging ...

Explaining theories on beach development...

Pouring water ...

Splashing...

Patting ...

Burying Daddy's feet...

Ummm ... mooning???

And eating strawberries on the rocks!!!

A great day.

Memorial Weekend BBQ

The Hoffenberg's invited us to their place for a Memorial Day weekend BBQ.  As ever a great day.  We enjoyed lots of yummy food and happy banter while the kids played the day away. 

I thought this pic of Vivie sauntering around with Daddy was cute just for the juxtaposition of her against the big guys.

Meanwhile there was a kiddie pool complete with slide.

And LOTS of waterguns, which got heavily used.

Vivie and Ella, though, were more of lovers and not fighters.

Shooting Brillo.

Paying the price for shooting Brillo.

Liam paying the price, Pip trying to save him.

Uncle Dan Hoffenberg getting hosed, literally.

He took some heavy fire.

Slip n Slide

If one has a hard even 6 inches bigger that the circumference of a Slip N Slide then one is required to install said plastic strip of excitement and get oneself wet.  I contend this is a rule regardless if one has children or not.  Luckily I do so I don't have to embarass myself on it, Pip and Viv can partake in the fun.

Actually, on this day we had dueling slides in action.  Both us and the neighbor had then up because apparently Pip felt he wasn't getting enough turns on theirs so he wanted his own!

Taking a breather

After weeks of rain we've had quite a nice stretch of warm, sunny weather.  Fabulous!  But even we need to come inside sometimes for a break.  Here Megs works on her beck muscles (making decent progress!)

Sprout makes an appearence for a game of Uno Moo.

And Pip listens to some music.

Bathtime!

We started giving Megan a bath each night as part of the bedtime routine to help her know it is time for bed.  It seems to be working nicely.  She LOVES the bath.  While it wakes her up, she enjoys one more feeding and smiles all the way through her books before heading to her crib in her snuggly swaddle.

Here she is hanging in the tub!

No Beard the Serious Pirate

 Isn't dress-up supposed to be fun???

Fossils

Phil and I discuss frequently the possibility that Pip has a problem focusing.  Let's just say paying attention to any task for an extended period of time is not his strong suit.  I've been told this is completely normal for boys his age so we're trying to not worry much.  But it is rather frustrating.  Maybe that's what makes Lego's genius.  Boys have to focus. 

Tasha discovered another genius toy and gave it to Pip for his birthday.  This fossil rock actually stated on the packaging that it could take days to complete.  Pip proved us all wrong that afternoon when he took it outside and scraped, hammered, and brushed at it for at least an hour.  He didn't get it completed, but neither Phil nor I thought it would hold his interest that long!

Birthday Party!!!

This weekend we held a joint birthday party for Pip and Vivie.  We went to the gym where they currently take classes and it turned out to be a solid venue.  Good sized room for the cake, foam pit for gymnastics, and lots of big bouncy houses.  This is everything Pip required!

Pip requested a Star Wars cake which Phil made; Vivie a Princess cake which I made. 

Note the light sabers and the choice of going for the dark side or the light! 

Pip really wanted to invite his friends from his old preschool.  How wonderful to re-connect with them again.  It was like no time passed and they all picked up right where they left off.  Here Vivie jumps into the foam pit with Morgan.

Megs came too, happy to get lots of hugs from everyone.

They had a MASSIVE slide ... here's Pip coming down.  Even the adults tried this one out!

Pip was in heaven with Matthew, sitting next to him here.