Violet Turns 3

A special little lady turned 3 recently and standard procedure around here means a photo shoot was in order.  Ms. Violet did not disappoint, she came looking as beautiful as ever with her fingernails freshly painted and her headband neatly intact (until the second we were done with pictures that is).  Violet is the sweetest little girl and I love her dearly, as do my boys.  There might be a fight in years to come over who can hold her hand but for now Bennett has her heart.  MOST days they are best of buds often times declaring their "love" for each other.  Example...the other day I came home from the store and Bennett greeted me at the door to tell me that he brought Violet a purple popsicle because he loves her.  Anyone who knows Violet knows that purple is her absolute most favorite thing in the world so Bennett bringing her the purple popsicle was no coincidence.  He knows the way to her heart;)

  

How You Play the Game

The day finally came, it was time for Nolan's first t-ball game!  But please do not make the same mistake I did and actually call it t-ball (unless you want to get beat up).  You see Nolan is playing a year or so up so he can be on his cousin's team and technically I guess this league could be called "coach pitch".  Apparently that is way cooler than t-ball?  Unless you don't hit the ball after the first three pitches, then it's not cool and you have to in fact use the t-ball stand.  It's all fun and games until that little stand comes out!  Thankfully at the first game Nolan did not have to use the stand and all was well with the world!  Want to know what else is not cool in Nolan's eyes?  The fact that you do not keep score at this age.  Apparently the phrase "It's not whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game" means nothing to this five year old.  But who are we kidding, it doesn't mean much to his Mom either.  I suppose at the end of the year they will all get a trophy too.  Oh wait, that's true too.  Anyway, even though Nolan disagrees with some of the logistics of how this league works he still thinks it's awesome.  His eagerness to play sure makes it fun to watch, much better than his dirt kicking soccer days!

This next picture isn't the best picture in the world but I just adore how his cousin Reid (on the left) is cheering him on from the sidelines.  Tell me that's not adorable?

Poo Poo Stinky

The other day I was walking behind Bennett and Violet.  I witnessed a conversation that made me realize just how young the boy/girl relationship develops.  Allow me to share...

Violet:  You got a boo boo Bennett?
Bennett: Yea, I fell down.
Violet:  I have a princess bandaid
Bennett: I don't have princess bandaids, I don't want princess bandaids.
Violet:  You funny Bennett (as she made goo goo eyes at him).
Bennett: You poo poo stinky Vi.

Isn't he precious?

Please note Violet is not poo poo stinky in the slightest.  Poo Poo is however Bennett's favorite phrase these days, so I'm going to believe that this was meant as a term of endearment.

Here's an oldie, but a goodie of the two of them.  Before she was poo poo stinky, obviously.

Gulf Shores...Last Day

We have come to the end of our Gulf Shores journey.  I really picked up the photo pace on this particular day so this post is picture heavy.  I also apparently decided it was time to get in some pictures and make it appear like I was on the vacation too, so sorry for the extra Darci love in this post.  I blame the fruity drinks.

Bennett liked watching the other kids hunt crabs at night, but never really caught one himself.  So in the daylight some of the big kids (and Grandma) helped him capture his own treasure.  

We enjoyed one last day on the beach.   Nolan took the opportunity to catch a few more waves...and Bennett joined in on the ocean fun for a little while too.  He's not quite to the boogie board stage, but he's at least jumping in the waves at this point so we'll take it.

The last night we also ventured out for a little fun.  We hit up a place called Lu Lu's and it was amazing.  It had all kinds of stuff for the kids to do and all kinds of fruity beverages for the adults to drink.  Win/Win. 

The big attraction here was a giant ropes course.  Nolan told me this was his favorite part of the trip.  It was pretty amazing.  Chad went up with him because otherwise I probably would have had a heart attack.  I'm not sure these pictures quite do it justice...IT WAS TALL.  Don't worry Mom, he was wearing a harness and it was kind of safe.  

 Reid and Bennett were not tall enough for the ropes course.  Bennett did not care...Reid definitely did care.  But he was easily distracted by getting into a gigantic beach ball and rolling around a pool.  I mean who wouldn't be?  Reid thought this was amazing...Bennett did not.  Oh the memories.