4th of July bike parade

My boot camp instructor and sorority sister, Allison, had invited anyone and everyone to her house on the 30th to participate in the annual bike parade around Briarwood subdivision. Cash had been wanting to ride his new bike more and more, so Heath and I decided that it might be fun to go join in the fun. It started at 10am, but we soon found out that it was a super hot morning, especially out on the pavement riding bikes (and Heath and I walking). But I think we all had some fun - it ended in red, white and blue popsicles - which was a huge hit!

Here's Cash with his bike all decorated for the parade!

Happy big, four year-old waiting to ride!

Let me tell you - this is kind of a classy neighborhood with dads dressed in Sperry's and polo shirts. Yes, I love my husband with his flip flops, holey shorts and cut off shirt - complete with tattoos!

B was pedaling at a steady pace, but he did need a push every once in awhile.

We made it once around the block, only stopping to help a little girl put her chain back on her bike. We were definitely ready for some refreshments! Ice cold water and popsicles!

Look at that red face! He loved his treat though!

And he did, too! (One ate theirs a bit more carefully than the other. Can you guess who?)

And Heath enjoyed a popsicle, too! What fun! 

Thanks, Allison for inviting these country folk to join in the celebration!

Pool time!

The boys love pool time with daddy!

They are so much more brave with him than they are with me. He puts their life jackets on and they turn into little fish!

Cash treads water and paddles around while Baylen practices swimming from the ladder to Heath.

The best evenings are those that are spent in the pool with daddy!

Diggin' taters

When we planted our potatoes back in the spring, we didn't really know much about potato-growing. Honestly, I'm not sure we knew anything about it. I saw them at Southern States when I was picking up some other seeds, and I decided it was be fun for the boys (and Heath and I) to try it. Why not?

With some help from my Granny, we cut the seed potatoes, planted them (ends up they were way too close together), and then we waited. Soon they sprouted, some grew tall, some shriveled up, some had blooms, but we didn't really know what we should be looking for. We read that when they bloomed they would be ready. Other things we read said to wait until the ground cracks, then they'd be ready. Well, some bloomed and some didn't, and our entire garden cracked everywhere because it was so dry! 

So one afternoon, we decided that since the potato plants were all dried and dead looking, they couldn't possibly grow any more, so we headed up the hill with some small shovels and the boys' sand bucket. 

Yay! A tater! We were excited to see at least one potato, but kind of expected a few more on each plant. Oh, well!

The bucket was filling up, but not too quickly.

Heath would dig around the plant and then pull it up. The boys would pull the potato off the plant and drop it in our bucket. They loved it!

Digging taters -- what a fun evening!

This one had two taters! Jack pot!

By the time we got to our last plant, we had a full bucket (note the bucket wasn't too awfully big). But we learned some, are going to make some adjustments next year, and we'll try again.

They were yummy! I washed them up real good and boiled them with some butter. New potatoes - delicious!

Weaver

On Wednesday, the 27th, we drove to Glasgow to hang out with Grammy and Granny and meet aunt Kathy's new pony, Weaver. The boys were so very excited to meet him!

Baylen was interested, but wasn't sure he wanted to pet Weaver just yet.

Cash tried climbing the fence to check this new creature out. We ended up going up to the barn so that Kathy could put the saddle on him. 

In the mean time, the boys chased her new kittens around the tack room until they caught one. The kittens were a big hit!

After chasing kittens and walking underneath Weaver (yeah, talk about a heart attack - but Weaver is amazingly gentle and calm!), Cash climbed on and went for a ride around the barnyard.

Grammy and B watched from the shade of the barn, but it was still sunny (and close to nap time!).

Giddy up! Can you imagine his little mouth going a mile-a-minute to Heath that evening?

B didn't really want a ride, but agreed to get on if mommy did. So up I climbed and we took a short stroll across the barnyard, too. I can see many more visits to Roseville to see Weaver in our future! :)

Big boy bike!

Cash's birthday just kept on going! After his birthday party with friends and some long naps, Cash and Baylen were both ready to play some more. I got in the pool with them that afternoon. We splashed around until Heath got home from work. Then we reminded him that he had not received his present from us yet. Excitement!

We dried off and headed to the garage. Here's Cash waiting outside for his last birthday surprise.

Waiting ...

As soon as he saw it, he took off running!

It was his very own big boy bike! He hopped right on ...

smiled for a picture ... 

and took off around the driveway. He was a pro!

What a fun birthday he had! I still can't believe he's old enough to have a bike like this - training wheels? Oh, my! 

Cash's party at Just Kid'n

After a birthday breakfast, we hopped in the car and headed to aunt Ali's play place (Just Kid'n) for his first birthday party with friends. He was super excited to get there and start playing with everyone! I was busy running around, but I did manage to take a few pictures.

Nick, Garrett and Hudon checked out the skee-ball.

Brody and Braxton were having some fun on one of the rides.

And yes, Heath was able to be there between work and meetings. There was lots of running around going on, so a stop for a drink was needed!

Maddie and Grace were there, too!

Baylen went down the slides (with daddy!)

Haddon loved the slides, too!

Little Miss Olivia was having some fun in the toddler area.

These boys were wild! Cash, Kennick and Isaac were being quite the dare-devils!

The more he plays, the curlier his hair gets!

Happy birthday boy ready for some lunch!

Aunt Ali surprised him with this Lightning McQueen balloon. Thanks, Ali!

Juice boxes, pizza, fruit and some veggies - yummy lunch!

I think everyone was ready for a play break!

Yay! Gran-Granny wanted to come, too, so she rode down with mom. She kept an eye on my little B while I helped serve the pizza and munchies.

Cousins and best buds

After another happy birthday song, everyone got cupcakes. Cash had two! (why not? it was his special day!)

Can you tell they were delicious?

Proud mommy with her big four year old (cupcake-eating machine!)

Love these girls!

John Thomas and Peter were enjoying their cupcakes, too!

Here they are waiting to pull the pinata strings. Obviously I didn't get a chance to wash B's face after his cupcake. :)

Bags in hand, they are ready for the prizes!

They took turns pulling the strings, but even the one that was the "right string" didn't open the trap door. I ended up pulling the bottom loose so that all candy and toys could come pouring out.

They all scrambled around to fill their bags! It was a great party, and Cash had an awesome time! We all did! It was home for naps after the last friend was gone, but first we took his annual birthday picture...

12:23 pm - officially 4!