Some of the Birthday Spoils

Harrison has been having a wonderful time playing with all of his birthday gifts. Everyone was so generous and thoughtful, we all appreciate it! I have had the best time snapping photos of him playing with all of his new stuff. He really is at a fun age finally where he understands birthdays and gifts, and it brings a lot of joy to watch him enjoy himself so much.

I know it's hard to believe, but you'll notice there's a theme to most of these gifts, see if you can guess......

Here's the BIG choo choo tent.



He loves painting and drawing on his new easel! Such an ar-teest.

New choo choo books. We read them every night.

A big choo choo puzzle. We do this one at least once a day, but usually twice.

Choo choo painting book.

A personalized backpack! It sure came in handy when......



......he went to the Fox Theatre with Jeff and Caitlin to see "Thomas Joins the Circus"! We packed him some supplies in his backpack (change of underpants which he didn't need - whew - and some snacks) for the big birthday outing.

He even rode a big choo choo (the MARTA) to get there.

And let's not forget the special birthday breakfast that Mommy made. Blueberry pancakes and bacon!

She's Not a Baby Anymore

Avery will be 14 months old on July 1st, and she already is such a little girl and not a baby anymore. She walks and talks like she's anyone's match. She has six teeth now, four on top and two on the bottom, and sleeps through the night like a champ (finally!).

What I've been most impressed with is how many words she says already. I started making a list, thinking it would be between 10-15, and after a couple of days it was over 20 words! They include, in no particular order: thank you, sorry, mama, daddy, nana, papa, car car, poppy (or "pop-po"), let's go, dog/doggie, vegas, gracie, milk, more, apple, boo, uh oh, balloon, no (ugh), ball, cracker, elmo, bubble, book, and night night. Such a big girl!

Avery loves to pretend to go night night. In fact, she even tells me when she's tired sometimes and motions to go night night. She went and laid down on Gracie one day and said, "night night!" and smiled at me! She even laid there for a moment while I grabbed my camera!



We had an impromptu music class the other morning in the kitchen. Unfortunately, the racket woke Daddy, Nana, and Papa up!

Thomas Town

We have been waiting for over a year to surprise Harrison with a trip to Thomas Town! So the weekend of his third birthday seemed like the perfect opportunity. Nana and Papa Carter made the trek with us in the 100 degree weather, and we couldn't have been more grateful or thankful for their help and generosity!

Overall, the trip went very, very well. Harrison LOVED Thomas Town, of course (especially the gift shop), and he was really into the rest of Six Flags too. It was a good test for our first theme park with him. Now we know he can go for HOURS wanting to go on more and more rides! He had a little meltdown at the end, but he didn't want to leave and was so hot and tired. Avery was a trooper too, she lasted in the heat for four hours and didn't cry once. She had a great time!

Shaking hands with Thomas' driver.

James, Percy, and Gordon say hello!

Thomas Town had a COOL playground.

Hmmm, deciding where to go next.

Nana danced with the Crazy Six Flags guy!

Riding the big choo choo around the park.

Jason and Papa took Harrison on his first roller coaster ride! Instead of being completely traumatized like I expected him to be, he came off the ride yelling, "that was AWESOME!"

Heading out after a long, hot, but fun day! We'll see you again soon, Thomas Town!

Happy Birthday Harrison and Poppy!

Harrison and Poppy shared yet another birthday together on Monday surrounded by family and friends! We can't believe our big boy (who used to be my little baby!) is now three years old. I still remember the day I went into labor with him and thinking, I can't believe he's going to be born on his due date AND Poppy's birthday! How special!

We have enjoyed being home together since the beginning of March. He's been involved in sports class and music class, enjoys activities with his friends, and most of all, playing with his sister. They have grown to be really close friends. One of the neatest moments for me so far was when we were in the gymnasium at our church and Avery kept saying "ball" as if she was looking for a ball somewhere, and Harrison said, "Uh oh, Avery, I don't see a ball anywhere!" It was one of their first conversations, and it was so cute! They wrestle together and share toys (sometimes), Avery is lost without her big brother. She looks up to him and if he's not in the room, she doesn't know what to do with herself. When he walks in, her little cup just runneth over!

Harrison still LOVES his choo choos. Thomas the Train, specifically, but any choo choo will do. He also loves baseball and can hit a pitch when thrown to him (I guess too big for the tee now, what???), plays basketball, tennis, soccer, and loves to hit a golf ball. His favorite game to play is "Boo!" which is a version of hide and seek. Avery is way into it, too. He loves to read books and has dozens and dozens in his room. His routine is that we read two at naptime, three at bedtime. And he knows if we go more or less!

Our three-year-old boy is so wonderful and such a blessing to us! We love you, Harrison!







A pizza party with his friends.





Poppy blowing out his candles!





The magnificent, much anticipated choo choo cake.




It took him several tries to blow out the candle, it was hilarious!

As you can see, both birthday boys were SO tired at the end of the night!

OBX Beach Trip

We can't thank ALL of the Almstedts enough for such a wonderful beach trip this year to the Outer Banks. We had a wonderful time with all of our friends and the kids! 12 adults and 7 kids lasted 6 days together, and it was a blast. The weather could not have been more perfect. The men played golf a couple of times, the women got out for a spa day and lunch, and the kids.....well, they played their hearts out everywhere. Especially in the pool and on the beach. What wonderful memories!

The four "big kids" and one of their many photo shoots.



Seafood night!


Early morning with the kids. The girls are getting their nails painted. Harrison was very upset he didn't get any pretty pink "polish"!



First time on the sand!



Avery apparently thought it was delicious.

Harrison built sand castles and played with lots of beach toys. He wasn't too fond of going in the ocean, though. Maybe next year.

We went to play putt putt one morning. Here is Avery circling one hole with her pretty pink ball.

Lining it up for a hole in one, maybe?

The four "big kids" again looking SO cute!

We love you, Outer Banks! Hope to see you again soon!