7 Weeks

Latham has been hanging around here for almost 7 weeks now. Wow - that has gone by in a flash and she is growing, growing, growing.

I wish I could make time stand still for just a bit. I am trying desperately to soak in all of her newborness...it is quickly vanishing.

And now, we venture off to Athens for a birthday party. I am sure there will be stories to tell and pictures to share.

Vaughan's 3rd Birthday - Part 2

*For the record - I DID NOT make this cake. Lisa (with some assistance

from my brother) spent hours on it. It was a HIT!

We have been soaking up the last days of summer, have you? While I am terribly tired of these hot, sticky, never-ending days - I know in a month I will be remembering them fondly.

This past weekend, we had a birthday party for Vaughan. This was Vaughan's first birthday party that included people outside of our family or close friends. She had a blast.

The zip line was a blast. The kids loved it and I loved seeing their faces as they flew through the air. This along with that fabulous princess castle cake (compliments of Lisa) were V's favorite things about her birthday.

Is that a bird? Is that a plane? No that is a VERY fast two year old sprinting across the photo!

This was the first time that we have had a birthday party outside of our house. Um - why haven't we done this sooner. The staff at My Gym entertained the kids and had the party scene down to a science. With a 6 week old baby - this was definitely the way to go!

And the best part - after all the action, the kids were exhausted.

Happy Birthday Sweet V. I still don't know how you managed to turn three. It seems like just yesterday you were enjoying your first cake!

Climbing the Walls

*photo courtesy of Danielle Hutlas

The kids are climbing the walls down here. Literally, climbing the walls.

Yes, they have been a bit couped up since sweet Latham was born. And just when I can finally take them to the pool, the skies have opened up and blessed us with much needed rain. But this much needed rain means that we are still inside.

So we are getting creative around here. I have no idea what provoked Ellery to try to climb the wall but she did and she loves it. She is one strong 4 year old and is clearly part monkey. This monkey can make it all the way to the top and tap the ceiling. The only issue is her dismount. There have been a few crash landings but that doesn't seem to be dissuading her from this activity.

Hope that there is happy climbing in your house this weekend too!

Happy Birthday, Vaughan

Wednesday, this little lady turned three years old. Of course, according to her she is 4 - but that is a different story all together.

Here on Rockingham, we believe in starting off birthdays the right way -- with a cupcake, of course!

For dinner, Vaughan requested spaghetti and meatballs and I was happy to oblige. She also asked for a pink cake and, in addition, Lisa was kind enough to supply some adorable cupcakes (you know as an appetizer to the cake.) Is there such a thing as too much sugar? Me thinks not.

Dinner was eaten, cake was consumed, gifts were gifted. The night was a success.

Round two of the birthday festivities will commence on Sunday afternoon. 15 3-5 year olds should make for an interesting party.

Thanks for taking pictures, Danielle!

Happy Tuesday

Bathing a baby - a family activity!

It's Tuesday!! HOORAY! Why you ask? Well I say, why not. These days the days all seem to run together. There is no real differentiator between Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday and well - you get the point.

I am hoping my brain starts to regenerate soon. Alan is highly concerned. Our conversations lately sound something like this.

me: I weighed Latham and she is point 4 less than 10.

Alan: Ummmm. That would be 9.6. Why are you talking in riddles?

me: She is 23 1/2 inches long -- off the charts.

Alan: Wow - the other girls weren't that long, right?

me: I wonder if they measured her wrong when she was born. There is no way she growed 3 1/2 inches in a month.

point 4 less than 10? Growed? What is wrong with me. I would be concerned too -- if I could remember to remind myself!

Now go enjoy your Tuesday.

Have you seen anything sweeter lately?

* Photos by Danielle Hutlas

It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's a ?

**This is NOT Latham**

I was excited when the package arrived in the mail. Danielle, our nanny, is also a magnificent photographer. She was going to take some pictures of Latham and we had ordered some photo props for the occasion. Photo props? Yes, photo props.

A few days earlier I had searched etsy and found some pics like the one above. How sweet is that cocoon? I researched, found the perfect one and ordered it. I had grand visions of how sweet Latham would look all nestled in the cocoon.

I had not pictured this:

or this:

or even this:

But I did get a good belly laugh. I mean seriously - this guy is FUNNY! Alan - thanks for making me laugh every day!

And - just to satisfy your curiosity - here is a sneak peek of Latham in the cocoon!