{ajm}

Mallory wanted a butterfly party to celebrate turning 4. We invited friends old and new, wore wings and tutus, caught paper butterflies in nets and enjoyed LOTS of playtime at the park. I cannot believe my baby girl is 4.

 

Thank you Nonnie for arriving early in the week to help me make tutus and help set up Saturday. It wouldn't have happened without you!! 

Special thanks to Lydia and Stephen for the butterfly cake. It is STILL yummy 🙂

 

Mallory practiced singing the Happy Birthday song over and over. When the time came to blow out her candles, she was READY!

 

One of the best things about having a party at the park is PLAYING. The Butterfly Gang had a great time. 

 

The one game I "organized" was catching butterflies. SO MUCH FUN. I think we picked up the butterflies and "released them" 20 times 🙂

 

More playing….

Just before the team of helpers took everything down I remembered to take a family shot. Happy 4th birthday sweet Mallory. We love you more than we have words to tell you.

Thank you friends for celebrating with us. Life with you is such a blessing.
 

My sweet Meme has new rooms. Nonnie and Jenn worked tirelessly to get her moved into Westminster House in August. When we got to visit all the work was done and everything looked beautiful! I am so pleased for her that everything is so stylish and fun. I know she will miss the house on Parkdale, but we are all so thrilled that she will have friends around everyday and help anytime she needs it.

 

We love you Meme!!

Our weekend adventure to Atlanta included great time spent with Ben's Uncle Sam and Aunt Patty and on Saturday, a picnic at Stone Mountain. Thank you wonderful family for hosting us and delighting in our children despite a wicked couple of teething days!

 

Mark was most intrigued by Mallory's antics in the water. Uncle Sam was THRILLED she wanted to play an I'm happy we all had a great time (not to mention dry clothes in the car) 🙂

 

Photo credit goes to Ben, I was only responsible for rolling up her shorts.

Walking into the aquarium, on either sides are these fish swimming "down the walls" as if they too are going to see the cool underwater exhibits.  I've never been to an aquarium built by theme park designers rather than scientists. It was VERY cool. A 360 degree experience that amazed and delighted. Ben and I could have easily stayed hours more but the children eventually ate all the snacks.

 

This is a hallway underneath the GIANT tank. There is natural light from above the water and a moving sidewalk next to the stationary walkway. 

At the end of the hallway, you think the coolest part is over. Then you walk around the corner and see the biggest, tallest, thickest ever seen though. And on the other side, thousands of fish and rays and whale sharks. It's unbelievable.

 

We were all spellbound-for at least 30 seconds.

 

Also on our must do and see list are the touch and feel tanks. This one has rays (no barbs) another has sea anemones and sea stars, and still a third is full of shrimp. I can tell you that the anemones are slightly sticky feeling.

 

A wonderful place. We highly recommend it and are already planning a return visit. 

Picture taken on time, but not posted timely. oh well.

He's adorable. Amiable and delightful unless or until teething, then you can set your watch by the mandatory Motrin doses. Learning about "real food." He's an eater, unlike Mallory. It's kinda weird to have a baby want to eat all the time, and watch intently every bite of food that goes into my mouth. A little eerie actually. He's beginning to crawl, sort of. I'm happily not encouraging that step. I am holding on to these last moments he's stationary. I know it won't last long. He still amazes me that not all babies need copious amounts of sleep. I keep thinking he will sleep more during the day, but nope. Just doesn't need it apparently. My daily joy. Mark.

He LOVES the bear. I can't get him to leave it alone for the picture 🙂 At least he's "making friends."

 

These two, they just melt me, every time.