The birthday that didn't end!!!

Happy Birthday Bradley!!! Well my big boy who I still call my baby has officially turned 4. He tells me "mommy, I'm not a baby anymore" and I say "oh yes, you will always be my baby" Sometimes he leaves it at that and other times he says "but I'm a big boy" I think to myself as long as he still crawls up into my lap first thing every morning for snuggles and loving I will just hold onto the fact that in my mind that is still the baby in him. As much as I wish that would last forever I know it won't. So I will just cherish the fact that he still comes and as independent as his little mind is at times he still needs me.

His birthday is so close to the 4th so it's usually one big celebration during those days. We had a great party for him July 3rd, his actual birthday. It's just the time of year that there is so much going on I wanted to keep it simple... so we just had the neighbors and a few other buddies join us. We had water games planned for the back yard, but as evening approached it was a little cooler than normal and kept thinking the kids may get too cold. However, I'm not one of those picky moms but you never know how others may feel so I was going to scrap the whole water thing. I decided to blow up water balloons and let Craig be my human target for the kids to throw water balloons at for some filler time. Well Derek joined in as another human target and the fun began! It turned into an all out competitive no holding back water fight with Troy and Dave joining in, it was a hoot and a blast to watch. They quickly ran out of water balloons and then got out the splash bombs. Needless to say everyone involved were completely soaked. The kids had so much fun!!!! We ended the evening with a bonfire in the backyard toasting marshmallows.

The fun continued with a great 4th of July at the beach with all our friends from our small group at church. We headed once again to First Landing State Park only on the beach side for a complete day of "Fun in the Sun". Everyone brought something to share for a great lunch. The moms got to enjoy time of good old fashioned fellowship and sunbathing. Well....for me with a fussy baby who didn't want to sleep I enjoyed intervals of that. HA! Then came out the boat...the dads and older kids had fun getting pulled on the tube behind the boat.

Then on July 5th we celebrated Bradley's birthday yet again. His adopted cousins Caitlynn and Steven came over for more cake and presents because they couldn't make it for his real birthday. Michele called and said "hey what are you doing..can we come over to bring Bradley's present and I'll bring dinner...I've got a ton left over from the 4th" I said "no problemo" so over they came. As I sat in the lawn chair with my feet up she so kindly took over on the grill and cooked dinner for us. The kids had a blast with more water fun in the pool, slip and slide and more monster bubble fun. I said anytime you want to invite yourself over and cook dinner for us you are more than welcome. Michele, love ya like a sister and a great big thank you!!!!

First Landing State Park

Ok, here goes nothing...my first blog entry. I too have given into the peer pressure of blogging. Here's to you Sue!!! I know I was dragging my feet for awhile. Perhaps, I was thinking a little to much into it... safety of it, not being creative enough ect...What a great and fun way to remember all the high lights in everyday life!!

Yesterday we had the best day! It was one of those spontaneous let's be really daring and see what happens. Here's a little precursor to that...One thing Craig and I loved doing before we had kids was pack up the mountain bikes and hit the intense trails in Williamsburg. We have put that on the back burner for quite sometime. Today, we decided to try it with the kids...but a low key version. We headed to First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach. We love it there because you get such a mix of so many different types of nature. The deep woods feel, swamps, moss, the beach etc.. With our little munchkins in tow we were determined to make it the 6 miles to the end so we could hit the beach and see all the sites along the way but then it was also 6 miles back and YES, WE DID IT!!! Overall, the kids did great! Beforehand, we were prepared for the whining, crying, and complaining and we got a few intervals of that for sure. Right off the bat Bradley didn't want to be in the bike trailer (which normally he loves it) and wanted to walk. After we got thru that we were on our way. Once we hit the little bridge where you could stop and see all the little jelly fish and crabs his attitude changed and from then on he was loving every munute. At the end we enjoyed the beach and views. So many people had their boats docked along the shore and Craig and I were admiring how beautiful some of them were and doing a lttle dreaming of having a boat one day. Little miss Alayna's only problem was the way back. By then she was exhausted because of a missed nap and tired of being confined to her seat. With a few stops for some consoling and giving her as many crackers as she wanted...we make it back!!! It was so worth it just to feel the freedom again of being on the bikes with the wind in your hair cruising the trails. In a "kid friendly way." Sue, did I mention we seen a snake and Craig thought it was a water moccasin?? It actually started to wrap around my leg and Craig had to save me!!!