A "Sleepover"

Noah's Buddy Weston came over on Friday while his parents had an adult only event to attend. The boys played in the sand on the playground, went on the swing and slide, rode bikes (well tricycles really)played on the see-saw and of course had the company of all the neighborhood kids. Noah's older friend (Mason from next door who is 9) also had a friend over named Weston. All the boys thought that was "so cool".

Can you believe more Easter pics...

After all the activity leading up to last Sunday, I never posted pictures of the family on Easter Sunday and Noah in his seersucker suit!

EASTER 2008

Here it goes: Dyeing eggs, hiding eggs, hunting for eggs, pony rides, ring toss, face painting, cookie decorating, jumpy castles, petting zoo,lots of chocolate, brunch at Grandma's and most importantly an AMAZING service at our church Cumberland Community Church to celebrate that our Savior is Alive!!!
Who knew that once you had kids a 1 Day holiday like a birthday or Easter lasts for a week or even a month.
Here are some of our favorite pictures from this past weekend!

He FLOATED!

Just a quick Atta boy Noah! Today he floated on his back by himself for the 1st time. This only lesson #6. Sarah (of Sarah's School of Fish) his teacher said he floated for 10 sec and than again for 20 sec. This is a big milestone for Noah since that was the most "scary" thing about swim lessons for him so far. We made the biggest deal calling Daddy and Grammy and telling everyone at the Harry's when we went for groceries.
I have so many great pic and stories to tell from Easter but Noah is itching to go outside on this beautiful afternoon!

Fun with My Neighbors

I have prayed and prayed for neighbors that come out and play. It seems with each day that we have nicer weather more and more kids are coming out of their houses. Praise God! Noah has always played with the 3 kids next year that are 6, 9 & 12. Noah thinks Mason (the 9 year old) is the greatest "thing" and FayF who is 6 (Faith) is not too bad herself. Noah gets right in playing with them, tackle football, soccer, baseball, see-sawing and jumping on the trampoline (which makes me the most nervous).

We have a blast at our little neighborhood playground where no matter how much you talk up the slide, swings, sand toys and other kids, Noah is most interested in of course doing the ONE thing we direct him not to do... Throw Sand.. Aside from it being rude and how it hurts when it gets in someones eyes etc. It is somewhat selfish on my part. Try getting sand out of Noah's hair! Not at all an easy task.

Resurrection of... "the egg"

Some of the things that Noah says are just hysterical. Today we had at blast at Ryan and Baby Grace's house, dyeing Easter Eggs, eating cupcakes and playing! Noah is right in the middle where he is too rough with the babies and tries oh so hard to keep up with his older friends. Tonight after saying prayers we reminded Noah about tomorrow's Easter egg hunt and then talked about Easter. We asked "Noah" We celebrate the Resurrection of? and he said "the egg". We laughed and quickly reminded him of this month's memory verse "He is not here, He has risen, just as He said" Matthew 28:7 . That although decorating eggs and egg hunts are fun we are celebrating the resurrection of JESUS! But still, how funny.

2nd Birthday Party

What have we been up to!

I am not sure why but Blogger or me or our computer is not allowing me to upload any pictures right now. But as Noah naps I wanted to catch up on what is new in the life of a very active 2 year old! He seems to have so much energy yet continues to sleep a lot. He gets 12 hours at night and still naps over 2 hours every afternoon! Praise God! We are busy with swim lessons at Sarah's School of fish in Smyrna. We love it (and highly recommend it for those that are local) and Noah is learning more than I could have imagined. He also enjoys Tumble Tots class where he has moved on from forward roll to a backward roll. But most of all he loves the PIT! A huge area of foam blocks that they can jump into! He says "the Pit, the Pit" from the moment we drive into the Gymnastics Center parking lot. He laughs and talks endlessly rarely complains.

Our hardest times are when it is close to nap and he is getting tired and Noah and myself can do nothing right. During these times we he disobeys his new trick is to cry out and I mean cry for Daddy! It is all I can do to maintain and model self-control and set limits. I sometimes think he thinks that calling out for Daddy means he will come and prevent him from getting isolation time or another type of consequence. But according to Phillip he says Noah calls out Mommy when I am not around. Hmmmmmm!

We are looking forward to a fun weekend as a family including a Birthday Party for one of Noah's friends and QT with Mommy & Daddy!

Home Sweet Home!

Who doesn't love a tropical destination, relaxing "solar appreciation", yummy food and great company, yet it was still great to come home. Although it seemed like we have been celebrating Noah's Birthday all month, beginning with The Big Apple Circus, A trip to NY and then the cruise, we topped it off with a small gathering of family with some of Noah's current favorite themes: Penguins & Soccer!!

Since coming back from the cruise Noah's love for dancing has grown as well has moving and I mean moving all the time. This month he has started swim lessons and tumble class and we are exicted to give him these opportunties to play play play and be active. Thank God he still enjoys a long afternoon nap! That's my nap/quiet time too!

He continues to talk about everything and pray for everyone. He lays his hands on my head every prayer time before nap and bed and says "Father Thank you for healing Mommy's keppy (I think I am spelling that right, but it's yiddush for head), Hallelujah in Jesus Name" It is so precious and as a mother I don't think I will ever forget!

The Pool Noah's Favorite Place to Splash!

"Big Boat for my Birthday"

For weeks leading up to our cruise Noah has been talking about going on the "big boat for his birthday" and believe it seemed that everyone on the cruise that Noah was turning TWO. Noah had a blast and is sure to be a regularly cruise like his Aunt Shelley aka Mrs Harkins. Noah spent every waking moment in the pool, running around the pool, on the slide, dancing and eating. The day we were at port in Cozumel Noah loved the sand, the beach the cool pool with the fountains and the friends he made. Noah was a trooper staying up until 10pm and then staying in Camp Carnival for babysitting until Midnight so Mommy and Daddy could dance the night away!

While celebrating Noah's Birthday on the cruise he woke to a room/door decorated with balloons, spent the day at the beach and had the whole dining room singing to him and watching him open presents and blow out his candle. Sometimes I think Noah thought the whole cruise was JUST for him.

Noah got to see the shows and will continue to say that his favorite part of the cruise was the Dancers. He loved watching the show and putting on one of his own as well. He know has mastered kicks, spins, "happy feet" and his newest move is the crab.

Like anyone else another favorite of Noah's on the cruise was the food! A stack of pancakes for breakfast and can you believe at dinner he would request pizza, french fries, ice cream and chocolate cake. And boy did he get it and eat every last bite. He even sucked back is own virgin strawberry daiquiri while in Cozumel. So much for just tasting Mommy's!

Overall cruising with Noah was a great experience and we look forward to doing it again. Not to mention our entourage of friends that traveled with us. Can't wait until next year!

From Snow to Sunshine

Before I move to the nitty gritty good stuff of the "Big Boat" aka the Cruise ship. I can't forget Noah's 2nd NY snowday. As much as I am a fan of the beach and the sun and could not see myself moving back north to snow and shovels, it is worth it for a day to see Noah's amazement. He loves his Aunt Elana and Aunt Jodi so much and each time we see either of them it is like they are around everyday. He thanks God for them every night and talks about sometimes as if they will be at our days event whether it be going the playground, storytime or just down the hall to the playroom.