Batman's Blowout

 
Lois Lane & Bruce Wayne
 
Yes, he really did play outside while wearing the blowout costume
 
Daniel & Jeb, our new neighbor
 
Laura Ann & Jeb were the bad guys......love Laura Ann's bad guy face!

Daniel's very first costume was the Batman one & it was a hand me down from our old neighbors. It is a size two & I think he's had it about 3 years. If you follow this blog, then you know that besides being WAY too small, it is totally worn out. I've tried to discard it multiple times without success. Daniel is just unable to part with it! For awhile now, it has had a little hole in the backside (and I think Gran may have done some repairs at some point), but yesterday, it became a full blown blow out! Doesn't matter to Daniel though, he still insisted on keeping it on! Since he wears his costumes outside to play (even in 90 degree temps), he saw no problem with sporting the blowout down the street on his bike! I'm sure the neighbors loved it, at least our bug man, Mr. Cliff did! Oh, how I love his innocence!

While I'm on the subject of Daniel & his costumes, I'll share how I met one of our next door neighbors..... Some of the neighborhood kids were in our backyard playing on the playset (Daniel was in his Superman costume). I stepped out to check on them & noticed my neighbor, Danielle, standing at the fence. I walked over to introduce myself & she laughed & said, I've been meaning to come over to meet you guys, so when I saw Superman running across my backyard just now, I decided it was a good time to head on over! :)

Our sweet neighbors on the other side of us are the Bettis', who we knew before we moved. Daniel & Laura Ann's very first teeth cleaning was from Brett & I used to teach with Ann. Their little boy, Jeb & Daniel have become big buddies & are having so much fun playing. I have to give Jeb credit for befriending the two new neighborhood kids who are either naked, in pjs or in a costume. They tried to get him dressed up yesterday, but only got him to hold a shield. Maybe he'll come around.......:)

More Flowers......

 
 
 

I came home from the beach to find these blooming in my yard! I may just turn into a gardener after all!

Gulf Shores Day Four

 
 
 
 

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We had a lazy morning, but eventually got down to the beach & very much enjoyed the overcast skies & breeze that was blowing. We went for a walk on the beach & Daniel & Laura Ann filled a bucket with shells. Laura Ann was especially excited about what they found & has insisted on bringing them home with us! The water was a little rough, so they didn't spend as much time 'belly flopping' today. Laura Ann spent most of her time snacking, while Daniel played with his construction vehicles in the sand. About the time we decided to come in for lunch there was a rumble of thunder that was followed by an afternoon of rain showers. Theres nothing like napping in the afternoon with it raining outside & yes, even Laura Ann took a nap! We got ready early this evening & headed to The Original Oyster House for dinner. No Gulf Shores trip is complete without at least one meal there & a visit with "Chomp Chomp", the stuffed alligator. Daniel named him Chomp Chomp when he was a baby & couldn't say alligator, so the whole family still refers to The OOH, as the Chomp Chomp Restaurant. To top off a great vacation, Daniel & Laura Ann spent the evening perfecting their swimming skills in the pool. It's back to reality for us tomorrow! I don't know what we'll miss the most......lazy days on the beach, fun in the pool or Gran's yummy breakfasts every morning. It's been a great first visit to Tide Together & we all look forward to many more! :)

Photo Session on the Bay

 
 
 
 

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Gulf Shores Day Three

 
 
 
 

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We were on the beach by 9:30 this morning & Daniel & Laura Ann had a BLAST! They were so sweet & played so well together for a few hours! They ran all over the beach, did lots more belly flops (Papa joined them for awhile again), played in the sand, and ate lots of snacks. The dolphins were very active today & we enjoyed watching them play for awhile. We came in again for lunch & quiet time (I headed back to the beach for quiet time with my book & it was total bliss!). Since we got a little too much sun this morning, we waited until after dinner to head out again & this time went to the pool. Laura Ann is totally fearless swimming & jumping in. She is all over the pool like a little fish. Daniel has it in his head that he can only swim in shallow water & will NOT go into the deep end. This is a problem because to pass the swim test at the YMCA, he has to do in the deep end. Well, after lots of coaxing from all of us this evening & not willing to be out done by his sister, he finally caved & swam in the deep end. Yay, Daniel! Green swim band.....here we come!! While Daniel spent his time shooting all of us with his water gun, Laura Ann & Dan played Prince & Princess crowning each other with the dive rings. They also perfected what Dan called their 'Dirty Dancing' move. Laura Ann is pretty good, but I'm not sure that she's ready for the movies just yet! :) Looking forward to Day Four!

Gulf Shores Day Two

 
Kate, Laura Ann, Daniel, Jackson, Ruby
 
 
 

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Our morning started out with a visit from our cousins, the Darnells & the Sheltons that we don't see nearly often enough. Daniel & Laura Ann had fun playing with Jackson & Ruby. Just as they were leaving, The Boshells, Aunt Shelia & Grandmama came for a visit too. It was great to catch up with some family on both sides! After our visits ended, we headed to the beach. Daniel, Laura Ann & Papa spent the their time doing belly flops in the water. I videoed this on my phone, but haven't figured out yet how to get it to the blog- stay posted for that! We came in for a late lunch & quiet time & then Daniel, Laura Ann, Gran & Papa headed out to the pool. Dan & I took advantage of the grandparents & went out for dinner at one of our favs- The Tin Top on Bon Secour Bay.

Sweet Cousins

 
 
 
 

Daniel & Laura Ann absolutely adore Kate & were so excited to see her when we got here. She is finally big enough to keep up with them pretty well & she thinks Daniel is hilarious! :)

Gulf Shores Day One

 
 
 
 

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We left Saturday morning heading for Gulf Shores & got here just after lunch. We were all very excited because this was our first trip to stay in Gran & Papa's house, Tide Together. Daniel & Laura Ann wasted no time getting into their swimsuits & hitting the pool. They haven't been in the water since Christmas, but warmed up to swimming fairly quickly. We came in for a quick snack & then went down to the beach later in the afternoon. I always love watching them top the dunes & seeing the water for the first time. I made them wait about getting in the water so we could get some pictures with Kate (see next post). They cooperated fairly well & then hit the ocean wide open. They are both fearless! We had a great time & bedtime was super fun because Daniel & Laura Ann got to sleep in bunkbeds. Since the James' family rates beach houses solely on the quality of the bunkbeds, we give the Tide Together two thumbs up! :)

Happy Birthday Emily & Natalie!

 
Lee, Davis, William, Laura Ann, Emily & Daniel
 
Emily & Daniel shared a chair for lunch
 
The shortlived lunch on the porch due to thunder & lightening
 
Singing Happy Birthday to Emily & Natalie

Daniel was very upset about missing Emily's birthday party while we were going to be at the beach, so we had her over on Friday for a little celebration that he could be a part of. Since Natalie's birthday was on Friday, we asked her to come help Emily blow out candles. Even though the weather was horrible outside, we managed to have a fun little birthday party inside & of course, lit the candles enough times for everyone to have a chance at blowing them out. Happy Birthday to two very special girls!

We aren't the only ones.......

 

......who just moved to Valley Way! Looks like a 'feathery' friend has made her home in the fern on our porch. There's only one egg, but we hope to have a baby bird soon! :)

The Graduate

 
 
 
 

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Daniel graduated from the WEE Center tonight! Wow, how time has flown! His preschool years have passed way too quickly. I so wish I could do them all over again! He has had a WONDERFUL three years in this program & I am so thankful for all of his sweet teachers over the years that have loved him, nurtured him and prepared him to go to 'big' school. While I was all teary eyed & sad to see him in his cap & gown looking all grown up, he was all smiles & full of excitement. He can hardly wait to get Paine Primary! I love you, Daniel & am so very proud of you! Congratulations on your Kindergarten graduation!