More Summer Fun

First play date in MS. These two girls swinging with Alex have birthdays within 2 weeks of her.
Alex was so excited to meet Selah and Sarah Kate.



David is relentless in getting in cabinets and shutting doors (as you can see here). He has been known to get "stuck" or "lost" before as well because he closes himself in a room.

Having a ball until....he pinched his finger in the door :(

Jackson Zoo and Waterpark

Since Daddy starts his new job tomorrow, we tried to plan fun activities together last week during his last few days home. Yes, we still have a few boxes laying around, but we ignored them and just had fun!



We braved the Jackson zoo in the heat this past week. Our favorite part was probably playing in the mist sprayers throughout the park as it was so hot. The girls got drenched and had a ball!



Cave cousins, Alex and Amber



Loving the carousel



David was a little skeptical about riding the frog.



I thought this was a rare shot as I don't see pics of giraffes sitting down much.



the elephants were so close



Families who ride the zoo train together stay together.



Alex and Amber were so cute together on the train.



David LOVED the train ride and loved sitting in his own seat between mommy and daddy.



I love my babies!!! And yes, Alex will always be my baby, too, even though she is almost 3 and demands to be called a big girl.



Also last week, we braved the Grand Paradise Waterpark in Collins, MS just over an hour from us. Whoa...this was a hot day. We had a blast, but mommy ended up with heat exhaustion that night and in bed by 6:15 pm not wanting to eat. Thankfully, I'm much better now!



Just like sis, David could not get enough of the slides. He relentlessly wanted to go again and again....no wonder mommy was so tired and not making time to drink enough. Thanks Mimi for helping catch the babies with us :)



Alex loves cousin Hunter who had a blast with Chris speeding down the big slides.



excuse the wedgey...ha! Yes, Alex decided to climb up leaving Anna Cate no choice but to crash into her.



Anna Cate thought that was fun and wanted more!



Alex and Amber loved holding hands down the slides.







Blowing his hot grits and eating messy style



Sophisticating his eating style...David demanded that he eat the whole bowl of yogurt with a spoon by himself. He did great! His practice is paying off.






My sweet babies snacking together after naps. Sweet times!!! I love these toddler years and am trying to soak up every minute of them!!!!

Beach and Swim Lessons

Alex and David LOVED the beach - sand, water, and all!!!
The sand was beautiful and white as ever. The only oil we saw was caked into some sand that was stuck in a large shell I found in the water. So glad we went and didn't let the media scare us away!

Cousin Anna Cate

David loved watching and pointing out all the birds that flew so close to us. He was mesmerized and so cute about it.



You can't tell very well here, but we found a big hole that someone had dug out in the sand. The kids loved playing in it. It worked as a great man made play pen to contain David as he was relentlessly trying to walk into the water keeping us very busy. However, he learned quickly how to crawl out.



Aunt Robin and cousin Amber came to stay with us for one night to play at the beach, too. Alex and Amber had a blast!

We built sandcastles and then decorated them with shells we found. The big shell on the top of one of the castles is the biggest shell I have ever found in all my years of going to the beach. We think that is a result of the potential of oil keeping so many people away. The normal early risers that walk the beach and collect them all were not there. The beach is normally pretty crowded, but it was not crowded at all this year.



We loved the zero entry pool at our condo!!!

David gave us a workout though while chasing him around.



Yes, my daredevil hung with all the big kids and rode that slide in the background over and over and learned how to make herself go faster. ha!



Much needed, wonderful family vacation!!!

Taking pics with my new iPhone 4. I feel like a kid in a candy store with this phone. It is awesome! I have sure been missing out all these years without a smart phone.

Alex adores 7 yr old cousin Hunter and he is so good with her.

The largest Ferris Wheel in the Southeast at The Wharf shopping area.
And yes, my kiddos loved it!



Alex, Mimi and Anna Cate

Grandaddy and David have a special bond. Oh so sweet!

Cousins playing at a playground in the sand

Matching Cousins

While cooking after our return home, I heard some rumbling around and found David behind me perched in a pantry hole.

David also managed to climb in this hole after watching sister do it over and over. They are so funny!!!

Alex took her first swim lessons in July in which she learned how to kick, put face in water and swim and dog paddle. David had introductory time in which he was exposed to having his face under water, kicking, floating on back, learning to keep head up with gear on, etc... They both are way too comfortable in the water so we will have to be on guard!!! Overall, they learned to be safe this go around. Alex knows the concept of swimming, but would struggle if left alone with her gear off. She did ok with the instructor, but she needs lots of practice. As soon as I figure out how to post videos from my new phone, I will post some from their last day at swim class.

Alex practicing dog paddling and yes, David was sad the majority of the time if mommy wasn't with him :(