The eldest turns 8

So back at the tail-end of August Bruce turned 8. His wish for the MA party was friends with squirt guns. They had games, food, presents and more fun than you could shake a stick at!

target practice used Bruce's face 

hot dogs and corn on cob :)

the birthday boy eats dessert

Scenes from the glories of T-ball

T-ball on a saturday morning is one of the greatest joys of parenting. Oh and Bruce really likes it too!

yes, we are sponsored by a funeral home.

quite the little man

Bruce at the zoo

Outdoor adventures are such a nuce change of pace. Here's some pics of my eldest boy child at the zoo!

always climbing, that boy

Bruce the first

Bruce the first baby. He has taken on the eldest child role with great seriousness, and is growing up a wee bit too fast for our likes. He is not a fan of crowds but enjoys a good joke, building climbing and perhaps, occasionally being a bit moody and pensive. He's a great big brother and quite the little man...

5, sometimes going on 15, he's so cool in his shades

still a ham when he wants to be, even for the camera

a boy, and his implements of water fun, and some nice surfer hair to boot

the intense eyes...he can be quite competitive with sister, who is always trying to keep up

he's still good for some snuggling and bonding, especially anytime his father sits down ;)

Mr adventure, its not good enough to sit in the carved out seat, climb higher, and look, no hands!

always finding new ways to increase his fun at the playground

recently he has become the lego master, building complex things by himself for hours at a time. I'm certainly impressed

The zoo

One of Gillian's birthday presents was a zoo pass for the year. Once it turned July I thought I ought to actually take her there....ahem

behold, the zoo and my kids

riding the horsey




petting the goats in the little petting zoo area

driving the jeep into the lion area (or pretending to at least)
look mom look mom...
cluck cluck

The end of a wonderful birthday event

After dinner it was time to walk to the dairy bar for the topper of a whole day of birthday events. Modeling the other side of the "fancy dress" worn for the party
papa leads the way with the cousins (all that's left of the party)
molly models cutely (she was so cute I couldn't help post the pic ;)
thankfully, the dress is not too fancy to eat alot of soft serve in....
the ladies eating daintily


bruce wore half his ice cream (with sprinkles!)
levi and his system

papa walks the birthday girl back to the house. very sweet

Ollie ready in his pj's for the van ride home. being pretend grumpy because mama came into sight

it was a very lovely day, and the birthday girl was quite pleased with it. How could she not be?