20 Minutes From the Beach

With two of Hannah and Ben's grandparents living down south where it's warm, there's a lot of bragging going on by them. Now it's Hannah and Ben's turn. On Monday the 15th we went to the beach with some friends. It's only 20 minutes away! I don't think you can say that Grandma H and Groompa! Personally, I also think it's much better than the ocean. No big waves, no salt water, and no walking half a mile through sand to find a good spot near the water.

After getting all lotioned up (except for mommy-my back looks like a fried tomato) and eating lunch we went for a swim. Like everything, Ben was alittle nervous at first, but then loved it.



The entire swimming area has an average depth of maybe a foot and half, with two and half feet being the deepest. This is perfect for a three year old. The water was nice and clear, with soft sand on the bottom.


When not in the water Hannah and Ben played with other kids in the sand. There was a lot of going back and forth to the water. Ben entertained the whole crowd by doing his baby yoga in the sand. My camera phone battery died before I could get a picture of it. He sticks his arms on the ground in front of him, his feet in back, and pushes his butt up in the air, and buried his head in the sand. He held the position for about three minutes.

Trail'in

The summer is great for outdoor fun, and this summer, we're all about riding bikes. After Ben's birthday we can all go together. The kids squish together in the trailor and are usually pretty nice together. We sometimes ride to a playground in the area, or if it's been a long ride we'll get ice cream cones!



This was Ben's first time riding. He looks alittle apprehensive, but once daddy started swerving all over Ben loved it(he doesn't love the helmet so much though!) Hannah really likes having someone to keep her company in the back, she fills in Ben on what's going on and let's us know how he's doing.

Ben's First Birthday!

My babies are growing up so fast, a year already! Ben had a good birthday, despite the bad cold (which we found out today is bronchitis) and a little crankiness. Aunt Juls was here to celebrate with us, and we all had fun.



This was Ben's big gift, and Hannah's favorite too!


He really liked the little cars from Aunt Steph, Uncle Brian, and Evy.



Seeing the cake.



Touching the cake.



Finally eating the cake! It was a glorious moment for him.




The end of the day and the birthday boy is all partied out.

Thanks to all the family and friends for the cards and gifts, we appreciate them all.

I Wish ...

We've been having some great weather for playing, working and learning outside. Dry, sunny and 70 degrees with a cool breeze. Hannah and I have been taking time to explore the outdoors.

In our half acre lot we have many interesting plants and animals; squirrels, rabbits, moles and a groundhog, cardinals, blue jays, robins, woodpeckers, nut trees, maple trees, willows, birch and cherry, flowering pear, shrubs, ferns and dandelions... just to name a few.

I also taught her a couple of ways to make wishes. One evening we laid on the grass looking straight up through the breaks in the trees, waiting for the first star to appear. She already knew the whole "Star light, star bright" poem.

Then I showed her a dandelion clock and told her to close her eyes and think of a very special wish; but not to tell me because then it wouldn't come true.


When she opened her eyes I told her to take a deep breath and blow as hard as she could.


She never told me her wish, but I think I can guess what it was because it came true... "I wish Mommy and Daddy's back yard was full of pretty yellow flowers."