Happy 2nd Birthday SlimJim!

We are so in love with the little man who keeps us laughing and smiling no matter what might be bringing us down. Your adorable scowl and your grin that lights up a room can equally bring a smile to anyone's face because you are just so darn cute. Your infectious giggle has saved your sisters from tears many times. You are the best little brother, always wanting to love and cuddle your big sisters and trying to help out when you can. AND you are the best big brother, always greeting Baby4 with a "hi baby!" and ready with a kiss or a toy to share. The things you think of are hilarious, like attempting to sit on dollhouse sized chairs or carry the cat that weighs half as much as you. You keep us on our toes, climbing dressers and finding your way onto window sills and countertops.
We love you so much! Happy second birthday, SlimJim!

Spring!

This week with SlimJim doing great with the potty training, we've tried to spend as much time as possible outside enjoying the nicer weather.

 We also got to take SlimJim to the dentist!

 
And as always there were plenty of cuddles and silly faces.

 And ridiculousness.

And surprised baby faces.

A Chick Sleepover

Right. Those kind of chicks.

We are chick sitting for our neighbors (who happen to be chick sitting for their parents) while they are away this weekend. The girls are thrilled. SlimJim too, though he is just cautious enough that he only wants to hold them by pinching the feathers.

We also invited one of MiniM.E. and LittleL.G.'s friends for a sleepover since they need some fun after a long week.

the best part of SlimJim's weekend was an early birthday present!

A Vacation From the Vacation?

As is the case most often when traveling with kids, I need a vacation from the vacation! We had such a good time visiting Auntie Jen but everyone missed their naps and went to bed late, so we have a case of cranky kids and tired mom. Also, instead of it being beautiful weather it has been cold and wet. I thought we may as well add to what I expect to be a hard week by throwing in some potty training fun?

So we hung around the house and tried to get back in the swing of things. 

Our Last Day in Virginia and Driving Home

It seems like at this point in our trip I might have been a little tired, because I clearly forgot to take photos of what we did yesterday. We packed up the car, went to a playground for a while, said goodbye to Auntie Jen's house and headed out.

Finally made it home today, tired but happy with a great trip!

Virginia: Playground, Smithfield and Ritas

Today we went to the girls' favorite playground to play and feed the ducks. We drove over a bridge to middle of nowhere and ended up in a quaint little town, Smithfield (of Smithfield hams) and did some shopping and ate a delicious lunch at Taste of Smithfield. MiniM.E. insisted on Rita's for dessert.

We also stopped at Petco to pick up Winslow since we are heading out tomorrow.

Virginia: Petco, Beach and Pizza

This morning SlimJim helped me wake up by fetching my coffee. Just kidding, if that mug were filled with coffee it would be everywhere. It was cute that he wanted to help me bring it to breakfast.

After breakfast was another highlight of our annual trips to Virginia: visiting Auntie Jen's store and holding all the animals. The guinea pigs are the favorite.

Even Baby4 got to hold one!

Today we also met Winslow, our potential foster hamster, but he was in a cramped back room so I don't have photos of him. We are debating taking him home to live with us until Auntie Jen can move closer. 

A quick stop at Auntie Jen's for towels (SlimJim needed a quick ride on the swing)

And we were off to the beach!!

Auntie Jen and MiniM.E. jumped into the ocean! Sadly, Auntie Jen's phone went for a swim too.

It didn't fix being sad about her phone, but we did get some epic pizza at the Mellow Mushroom and have a nice time hanging around an adorable arboretum after we ate.

After all that sand, everyone needed a bath. It was Baby4's first big kid bath!