MOPS Natural History Playdate

My MOPS group met at the Natural History Museum for a playdate on Monday. It was our first time going to the Discovery Room and we had a great time! I hope to take the kids again this summer.

We got there early because I wanted to make sure we got a parking spot so we went over to the fountain to snap some photos before heading in.

This was the best I could get of all three.

After the kids were done in the Discovery Room, we walked around the rest of the museum with Krystle, Landon, and Arabella.

First, we headed by the butterflies. We didn’t go through the Rainforest this time, but Rosemary really wants to go back. Maybe sometime when it’s cooler. I think she’s at a great age to enjoy it now.

Charlotte and Arabella hung out fairly contentedly in their strollers.

Checking out the butterflies.

Ben’s Party

The celebration for Ben’s third birthday continued with a get-together at the Alachua Splash Park with a few of Ben’s favorite buddies.

Singing Happy Birthday. The wind made keeping the candles lit impossible, so we just sang then Ben pretended to blow them out. It worked.

Rosemary dropped her cupcake on the ground. YUCK!

The super-enthusiastic kids.

Birthday boy

Charlotte and Arabella

Happy Independence Day

Due to some family circumstances, we had some last minute changes to our July 4th plans. The kids and I headed over to Keystone Heights to hang out with the Durrenberger’s and Williams’ and enjoyed a great evening together. We weren’t able to stay for fireworks, but we had a great time eating and hanging out while the kids played.

Charlotte celebrated her first Independence Day!

And she got to hang out with her friend, Arabella.

There were lots of fun toys and Ben and Rosemary thoroughly enjoyed them.

Rosemary also dressed up in Josiah’s SuperMan costume. I believe she called herself SuperGirl, but kept saying, “Word up” a la PBSKids’ Word Girl. She cracks me up.

Ben Turns 3!

Ben turned three years old on Saturday. Jonathan took Friday off so that we could celebrate over a long weekend.

To kick things off, we took Rosemary and Ben to see Cars 2. It was a very spur-of-the-moment decision so Jonathan called around to see if any of our friends could watch Charlotte. Jen B came to the rescue and not only watched her, but actually seemed super excited to do it. It was great! So we headed to the movies with the older two. It was Ben’s first time seeing an entire movie at the theater. Rosemary has seen a few with Jonathan but this was my first time watching with her. They both made it through the whole show and really seemed to like it.

On Saturday we had plans to meet up with both sets of grandparents in Ocala. Ben was very excited about his birthday, as was Rosemary. When they woke up that morning they came running down the hall screaming that it was Ben’s birthday. Crazy!

Super happy birthday boy! Rosemary saw Ben’s sign on the wall and tried to read it to him. She guessed that it said “Ben is turning 3.” Close. A lot of times when she guesses what things say she adds about 30 additional words.

We got ready then headed down to Ocala to meet our parents at Chuck E Cheese. We got there early and it wasn’t too crazy yet.

While we waited for our pizza, my dad played some games with Ben. He needed a little help with the ski ball.

And his legs weren’t quite long enough to reach the pedal.

Ben took a ride with Rosemary

When the pizza came, we ate then Ben opened his presents.

Opening his t-ball set

The one toy Ben specifically requested, Diesel 10.

So excited!

While we didn’t do one of the birthday packages at Chuck E Cheese, we were able to get a little cake to celebrate. Ben asked for chocolate. And Charlotte was eyeing that cake. Charlotte spent much of the day being held by willing grandparents. It made keeping up with Rosemary and Ben much easier.

Chuck E Cheese even supplied the candles, just not a match. I apparently shocked Jonathan when I told him that I always carry a lighter in my purse.

Unfortunately at this point, the camera battery died. (I might add more to this post once I get pics from Janice and my mom). But really, after this we just played more games and enjoyed being together with all of the grandparents. Rosemary made a friend, Michael. Before he left he gave her one of his tokens and Rosemary sweetly accepted it. It was hilarious.

Ben thoroughly enjoyed himself. It was a great way to celebrate this special little boy’s birthday! I think 3 is the first time kids really ‘get’ that it’s a special day for them and it’s fun to watch their excitement.

We headed home for naps then wrapped up the day with dinner at Five Guys and by the time we got home, it was time to get the kids ready for bed.

And a quick look back at how he’s grown…

Birth Day – 7/2/2008

One year

Two years

Three years

Charlotte’s First Food

On Wednesday, June 29, Charlotte experienced her first bite of baby food. She was five and a half months old.

Big brother and big sister were SO excited. They literally could not stay in their seats.

This little girl relished every single bite of that rice cereal. I even had to make another bowl full for her and barely needed a bib. I had to hold her back she kept lunging for the spoon! I guess she was ready.

Father’s Day

We celebrated Father’s Day in Gainesville this year. After church, we headed to Stevie B’s for lunch and the kids had a blast playing the games then picking out trinkets to ‘buy’ with their tickets.

I only snapped a few pics at bedtime while the kids and Jonathan were playing on the floor.

Once the kids were in bed, Jonathan spent the rest of the evening right there on the couch actually reading for pleasure…a big change after so many years of reading only for school.

Summer Checklist

Rosemary and I made a list of some of the things that would be fun to do this summer. One of the things on the list was to sleep in the living room. So one night, we pulled out the hide-a-bed from the couch and Rosemary and Ben slept out here.

They made it the entire night. In the morning, Rosemary told us that Ben kept kicking her. I have a sneaking suspicion that was because she took up all but about a foot of the bed.

Visit with Cousins

My brother’s family was recently at my parent’s house before heading off to the Bahamas so we headed down to spend a day all together. We spent the day visiting and at the end of it we tried to get a group shot of the kids. Below is the best we could do.

Cate wasn’t too interested in joining in on this shot.

But this time we caught everyone!

Ballet Recital 2011

On Saturday we attended Rosemary’s ballet recital. We had a sitter watch Ben and Charlotte and met both sets of grandparents at the venue. Rosemary was so excited. This year Rosemary was a camel. The theme was Prince of Egypt.

All dressed with her hair and make up done. She is ready!

Rosemary stayed backstage the whole time this year.

Here are some photos from her dance. You can’t take pics during the show, so these are from the last rehearsal.

Rosemary knew her dance cold. I was so proud of her.

With Grandma W after the show.

Rosemary with her teacher, Miss Sharon. Miss Sharon was Moses’ mom in the recital.

Me and my ballerina

Rosemary and her friend, Megan

Rosemary took a pic of all the flowers she got. They are now proudly displayed in the kitchen and in her room.

And what a difference a year makes!

Recital 2010

Recital 2011

I really like how her studio does the recital. It’s really not just a theme, it’s a story. And the two years we’ve been a part of it the redemption story has been its core. I got a little teary eyed. Rosemary really wants to do gymnastics now so I’m not sure if we’re doing ballet again for her. We’ll see. It might be the last recital we go to for awhile.