Old Fort Jackson on the 4th

Yesterday we decided to check out the last Fort near us that we hadn't been to before.  Old Fort Jackson in Savannah.  They were having a few extra activities for the holiday so it was a great day to check it out.  Anthony worked most of the day yesterday so the kids and I went without him. 

Bryce insisted on taking his musket.  As we were walking in a young boy right in front of us had one just like it! 

I love this picture!  This was on the upper level of the fort, and that flag is just outside the fort. 

There were people there dressed in period costumes and they were all so nice and willing to answer ALL of Bryce's many questions. 

There were 2 craft tables too.  CeCe loved this one. You dropped a drop of paint onto the paper and then blew really hard through the straw to make the paint look like fireworks. 

And costumes for the kids.  Bryce loved this part.  This is the War of 1812

CeCe chose the Revolutionary War outfit

And they both wanted to try on this Confederate Artillery hat and coat

After the fort we had a picnic lunch with Anthony near the paper mill. 

My soldier!  Every fort we visit we are adding a new part of the uniform!  He chose a Union hat over a Confederate hat.  His Duke family doesn't seem too happy with that decision (one that he made all on his own, I want to add)!

CeCe took this picture of us at lunch

One of CeCe's favorite birthday presents.  The ramp!  We have painted the ramp....one side hot pink and the other camo.  I'm not sure why she loves a ramp so much, but she does so this one is perfect.  They can race two or three cars down at the same time.  

Fun with Jude and Jasper

These four kids have so much fun together.  I love watching them play and be silly with each other! 

They loved doing 1..2..3 jump into the pool

Jude started jumping off the diving board after watching Bryce do it.  He was so proud of himself!

Good Morning!

Playing in Papaw Ruff's truck together

At the Memphis Zoo, they loved these misting fans.  We stayed here for a long time while they ran around!

Jasper had fun on the trampoline

Jasper knows how to throw a tantrum.  Here he is mad that it was CeCe's turn to jump.  She decided to use her turn to lay down and watch his fit which only made him more mad!

We ate every meal on the back porch

I filled up 40 water balloons one afternoon and they had tons of fun popping them!

CeCe is THREE!

We celebrated CeCe's birthday Tuesday with a trip to the beach with friends and dinner at her favorite restaurant, Mollie McGuires that night.  She also requested two cupcakes (mini cupcakes that we had made for the baby dolls at her party) that night and asked us to sing to her before she ate each one! Happy Birthday sweet bird, we love you!!!!

Happy Birthday 20 Questions!

       1.  How old are you? 3

          2.  What is your favorite color? pink

          3.  Who is your Best Friend? Sophie

         4.  What is your favorite meal? grilled cheese and french fries

         5.  What is your favorite snack? goldfish

         6.  What is your thing to drink? milk

         7.  What is your favorite toy? Ruthie

         8.  What is your favorite thing to do outside? ride my tricycle

         9.   What is your bedtime? 7:45

       10.  What is your favorite TV show? Tom and Jerry

       11.  What was your favorite vacation this year? Legoland

      12.   What are your teachers’ names? X

      13.  What is your favorite thing to do at school? X

      14.  Who do you like to play with at school? X

      15.  What is your favorite restaurant? Mollie McGuires

      16.  What is your favorite book? Curious George

      17.  What is your favorite game to play? chase with Bryce

      18.  How much do you weigh? 30lbs

      19.  How tall are you? around 35 inches

      20.  What size shoe do you wear? 8

Shiloh National Military Park

On Father's Day we drove near Corinth, MS to visit the Shiloh National Military Park.  We took a picnic lunch and walked around and heard two cannons. 

Bryce wanted his picture taken with this soldier

 

After the park we drove back to Corinth to pick up Jude and Jasper for a few days.  More on that in the next post!

Trip to Olive Branch

The kids and I left for Olive Branch on Monday June 11th.  The three of us made the LONG drive (11.5hrs) up there all in one day.  A very rainy day.  It was tiring but the kids did great.  So glad to have such good travelers.  We hit the ground running once we got there.  The kids (especially Bryce) loved having the pool in the backyard and we spent every afternoon out there.  CeCe got much more comfortable in the water and will now float around with her floaty wings on. 

I wish I knew how many times this kid jumped off the diving board.  I'm guessing around 200!

They also loved the trampoline again this year.  Especially CeCe.  She would swim for a while and then usually Cappy would take her down to the trampoline and she would jump jump jump!

The weather was so nice while we were there.  Not too hot so we were outside most of the day every day. 

Friday night we went to a Redbirds baseball game.  We had a great time and Bryce decided he is going to be a professional baseball player when he gets bigger.  He and Anthony have been playing a lot of baseball since we've been home.  After the game we stopped for frozen yogurt and then spent the night downtown at my parent's apartment.  The next morning we hit the farmers market.  A fun fun outing!

The last night we were there the kids had the best time running around out in the backyard in their pajamas. 

Little Mommy party

Today we celebrated CeCe's 3rd birthday with a Little Mommy/Baby Doll party.  It was a fun party to plan!  I found these cute tags on Etsy and made the invitations.

She woke up excited to put the icing on her cupcakes, she still loves to bake! 

She and Aunt Sandra (who is still on a roll attending the kids parties!) played with lego cupcakes while waiting on the guests to arrive. 

Party favors.  CeCe had no hesitation telling me months ago what she wanted to give her friends as gifts.....a baby doll diaper, a yarn blanket that Cappy makes and a bottle.  I added the Little Mommy golden books (a MUST READ for little girls that love baby dolls) and we found the cute sippy cups at the dollar store and added CeCe's favorite candy, mini M&Ms.  

CeCe also insisted that my mom bring her baby doll Sweet Sue (that is now 58 years old!) and Amy, one of Blakeley's old dolls to the party.  They sat on the gift table in the front room, which we turned into the party room for CeCe and her friends. 

My sweet birthday girl!!  Notice her shirt says "Little Mommy"!!  and Cappy rolled her pigtails to match the little girl on the shirt. 

The girls decorated little bags for their babies to use

The two friends that came for CeCe (one couldn't come at the last minute) also have big brothers Bryce's age so the boys headed outside to play baseball with Anthony and Papaw Ruff.  Bryce had been looking forward to that for weeks and he had a blast.  It was SUPER HOT (over 100 for the high) so they didn't last long at any one time but went out there a few times throughout the party.  

The girls each brought a baby (CeCe had two) and the Little Mommies served their babies lunch before they sat down to eat. 

The Little Mommies eating

Happy Birthday dear CeCe



Happy Birthday to you!  

She chose chocolate cupcakes with pink and purple icing

AND vanilla ice cream!

The other girls ran off to play with something else so CeCe made sure all the babies had cupcakes too

Present time!  She got so excited over every gift, and gave the best thank yous too!

The three girls playing with the new baby doll closet from Kiki and Papaw Duke

I checked the mail after the party and there was a box in there from Aunt Blake, Uncle Sauce, Jude and Jasper and it was the cutest baby doll birthday set from American Girl.  She loves the set, but this catalogue has not left her hands since she opened it! We are in trouble!!

CeCe and Ruthie in their new matching PJs from Cappy and Papaw Ruff