What We Did Last Summer, Part 2

We went to a nearby town's Kids' Day and the boys had so much fun they didn't want to leave. Unlike similar events, everything, including food, was free and the organizers made sure there were many activities for younger children. There were so many booths that we didn't make it to all of them. Prizes (pencils, candy, small toys) were given for trying each game/activity. There was even a book booth and every child got to select a free book!

Jakob's favorite activity was hula hooping. He went back so many times, I lost count.

Noah's favorite event was the big wheel derby. He made sure he rode every single big wheel, car and tricycle available. Noah also won the grand prize drawing for his age group - a bicycle and helmet! We can't wait to go again this year.

          

Jakob introduced Noah to the fine art of puddle splashing. Noah was a natural.

We also saw pirates, walked on the boardwalk, looked at boats of all shapes and sizes, made ice cream, saw sharks at the aquarium, went hiking, watched the clouds floating the the sky, read lots and lots of books, marveled at the sheer number of stars in the night sky and watched the lizards and spiders and fiddler crabs in our yard.

The sweetest moment of the entire summer occurred one August evening at supper. We (meaning me) were saying grace and Jakob added his own prayer of thanksgiving. He thanked God for "the sunshine and the sand at the beach and for shovels." It was his first real prayer, at least, the first one said aloud.

Thank you, Lord, for the sweetness and innocence of children.

What We Did Last Summer, Part 1

This post was originally titled "What We Did This Summer" but I  spent so much time without internet access that blogging fell by the wayside.

We spent most of the summer digging:



In the park,

by the lake,
















in front of our house

and at the beach.

The Parties, Part 2

The Party Games, Cont'd

Grandpa made Jakob his very own race car bed and Jakob got to help attach the wheels.

Noah helped turn on the headlights.



When the party moved outside, things turned a bit wild...


and more than one pair of pants went missing.

One month, two birthday boys and a whole lot of fun. We really enjoyed July.

The Parties, Part 1

The Cakes

Noah got cupcakes (and Jakob helped frost them.)

Jakob, a fan of all things crabby, asked for a crab cake. My dad did a great job making it!



The Party Games

Noah had one too many cupcakes and ended up with his new potty on his head.

Grandma thought she was going to play "tent" but ended up buried under an entire roll of paper towels.

Jakob and Noah thought Grandpa needed a new hat, but he got even.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Jakob

Happy Birthday, Jakob!
I love you so much.

Year One

Year Two

Year Three

Happy 1st Birthday, Noah!!

THEN

NOW

Happy birthday, Noah! I love you so much and I have loved discovering just who you are.

Banana bread doesn't smell like diarrhea!

That's what Jakob said when I told him what I made for breakfast. I am not sure whether that is a compliment, or not...