Ben's Birthday

It is birthday season! We met Alicia and Ben in music class and it turns out Alicia and her sister worked with Ryan ages ago so they knew each other. Again, Orlando is such a small town! We've loved getting to know them and raising the roof together in music so it was great fun to celebrate Ben's first birthday at Delaney Park.

The hit for Nathan was, of course, the ball tent, where he stayed for the majority of the party. Buddy Ansleigh (and her parents) hung out with him and the two were an adorable pair playing together.

Ben was all about his birthday cupcake and reached for it before the candle was even blown out. Ouch! He quickly recovered, though, and really went to town on it. Such a cute little guy! We were so glad to be a part of his day!

Tyler's Birthday

We rounded out our busy weekend celebrating the birthday of one of our breakfast club buddies, Tyler. His family hosted us at the Winter Park Racquet Club and it was a fun pool party!

Since I was the one swimming with Nathan, I didn't have a chance to take as many photos. All of our buddies were there, though, and we had a great time splashing in the wading pool with babies and mommies alike.

Sarah did an amazing job with the details - a photo timeline of T's first year, decorated cake chair and great food. Tyler didn't seem to want to try his smash cake and after a few tastes of icing he gave us all a huge smile and was done. We had a lot of fun and were so happy to celebrate this happy little guy!

Ansleigh's Birthday

We met Kelsey and her husband Scott in our preparation for childbirth class but didn't connect until Kelsey and I ran into each other again at Gymboree. Orlando truly is a small town! Her daughter, Ansleigh, celebrated her first birthday last week and we had our second first birthday party in one day to help her commemorate the big day.

Our music class buddies joined the party at Minnehaha Park in Maitland and everyone took turns hanging out in the ball pit and watching the fun bubble machine. N was pretty apprehensive at first but warmed up to it as long a he had his own personal space.

Ansleigh seems to have been blessed with a distaste for sweets and really wanted nothing to do with her smash cake. I have a feeling our little man will be quite the opposite when his time comes in a month! It was a fun day celebrating with new friends and I am so thankful we've all been able to connect so our little ones can grow together and the mamas can all lean on each other. What a great group of folks to call friends!

Addison's Birthday

Orlando truly is a small town. Through Gymboree, Nathan and I met some new friends and one of them happened to be married to Ryan's fraternity brother. I am so thankful we swapped phone numbers when we first met because we've gotten to be good buddies and go to music class together, among other playdates.

Addison celebrated her first birthday on Easter so her party was the following weekend at Phelps Park. Since her initials are APL, the whole party theme was apples and her mama, Brittany, did an amazing job with all the details. Caramel apple favors, apple juice with striped paper straws and apple shaped cupcakes. So sweet!

All of our music class buddies were there and we had a lot of fun meeting spouses, playing on the playground and eating lunch together. The kiddos are all so close in age, it's fun to watch them interact and to have watched them grow since we met. It's amazing how much they've all changed!

Addison rocked her apple cupcake and after getting her fingers just a little dirty, she dove in mouth-first and started eating like she was bobbing for apples (how appropriate!).

Happy birthday to such a sweet, animated little girl! We've had so much fun getting to know you and look forward to more fun together in the coming year!

Cousin Fun

Nathan and I spent two extra days in Atlanta after Ryan flew home so we could soak up more cousin time. Kelly and Carter spent the night at my parents' house the whole time we were there so we had a sleepover every night and got to wake up to cousin fun. They played with trains, forts, motorcycles and all things pirate to keep themselves occupied while Mickey Mouse Clubhouse played continuously in the background. I love watching the boys interact and hearing C talk to N - it's the cutest thing!

We took a picnic lunch to Newtown Park one day so the boys could be outside and enjoy playing on the playground. Nathan wasn't really ready for the slide but he loved the swings and crawling through the tubes to get to his Hattie. Both boys enjoyed the see-saw and being out in the sunshine.

We love our cousin so much and can't wait to spend more time with him at our house in a few weeks!

Easter Sunday in Atlanta

What a blessing to celebrate the risen Christ with my family on Easter Sunday. It really makes each holiday that much more special to be with the ones I'm closest to. And Nathan enjoyed his last first holiday before his upcoming birthday. What a great day!

We went to church as a family and took up an entire pew. N didn't last long and I spent most of the service out in the hall, watching the sermon on TV and walking the monkey back and forth in the lobby. We made friends with the other babies that were just as restless.

After church, we headed home and Nathan napped while we prepped for company. The Trottas came over for "linner" and we ate a delicious meal of ham, turkey, "moldy" jello salad, cheese rolls (a holiday staple!) and scalloped potatoes.

Later in the day, the boys got to open their Easter baskets and the biggest hit of all the goodies were the plastic eggs I filled with puffs at the last minute! Carter devoured them as they scattered on the patio floor. Silly boy! N got some books, Little People figures and musical egg shakers.

After bubbles, feeding ducks, watching the Masters and visiting with family, I think both boys would call the day a success! We had a lot of fun and I'm so thankful we could all be together.

St. Ives Easter Carnival

We spent Easter weekend in Atlanta with my family and as part of the festivities my parents had us all to their club for the Easter Carnival on Saturday. I made the cousins matching tees and shorts for the occasion (I was quite proud!) and they looked so cute in their Easter attire!

The club did a great job, complete with an egg hunt, petting zoo, balloon animals and a yummy buffet lunch. Nathan and Carter seemed to enjoy getting up close with various baby animals (I liked the ducklings best) and by the end they were both thoroughly exhausted from all the excitement of the day.

It was a gorgeous, sunny day and a great way to kick off the holiday weekend with the ones I love most!