Saturday in the park...

Saturday was a good day. So good, in fact, that I was still smiling long after putting the kids to bed. It was one of those fun days where it seemed like the kids were enjoying themselves all day. And I enjoyed watching them. We started the day at a joint birthday party for a big sister who was turning 3 and her little brother who was turning 1- they're perfect playmates for my crew! It was a pool party, so Bella and Austin really got to enjoy splashing around for a while. Good thing, because it was a HOT day! It was a mermaid/pirate theme and Bella has enjoyed playing with both her and Austin's party favors... I try to explain that it won't be too much longer before Austin won't want to give away his party favors. I don't know how much she gets though...

The birthday boy and girl's mom had made "marshmallow lollipops", which were big marshmallows on a stick covered in colored sugar crystals. So cute! The boys' pirate lollipops were black. It did a number on Bella's tongue... Nice eyepatch, Bella- ARGH!

Bella was trying to look like a mean pirate here- doesn't look like she's too threatening to me!

We enjoyed the hot afternoon indoors playing with toys and letting Austin get a nap. After his nap, Bella and Austin played for a while in Austin's room. They have really started playing more with each other, which is fun to watch. Although, sometimes the interests of a 3 1/2 year old girl and an almost 11 month old boy don't always mesh, they do enjoy each other's company.

I went in Austin's room to check on them at one point and found Bella sitting in his toy box throwing all of his toys out to him. He was just sitting there squealing in delight as each of his toys whizzed by his head.

Got anything else in there, sis?

After Bella got bored and left, Austin was trying to figure out how to get in there and get the rest of the toys.

Seriously, how'd she get in here?

Forget it- I'll just sit here and yell like I usually do.

She's back. Austin gets frustrated that she can get in there with such ease, so he decides to pull her hair to get even. I intervened, but not before I got a picture...

We decided to pick up some dinner and take it to the park at Wrightsville Beach for a picnic. Scott wanted to try this Pita place we've never tried before, and it was pretty good. We all enjoyed our dinner and played at the park for a while...

Getting ready to slide...

What kid doesn't climb back up the slide after they're done?

Bella wanted to try swinging on her belly.

When Bella was a baby, she hated to swing. Austin, on the other hand, loves it. And the higher the better.

This kid is crazy about his Daddy.

Bella thought it would be fun to leave the playground area and run around a bit...

But was eager to run to meet her brother when he finished swinging...

After playing a while, I wanted to go for a walk on the beach. Just before sunset is probably one my most favorite times on the beach. The sand has cooled off and feels so good on your feet. It's not as crowded and definitely not as hot.

We have a basket for shells on our back porch. Bella enjoys finding shells to add to our basket each time she gets out on the beach...

This little guy was getting tired.

But he was happy to walk with his Daddy out to the ocean.

Even though we told her to try and stay dry, she just couldn't help herself. Then she just couldn't understand why she just couldn't get naked and play.

Like I said, Austin was getting tired. But, I thought he might like to get his feet wet. Turns out- he did not. At all. He wanted his feet to stay dry. And then his mean ole Mommy went a took a picture of him crying.

This is probably one of my new favorite pictures. Definitely frame worthy.

Scott making sure his girl doesn't venture too far out in the ocean...

I love my boys.

The south end of Wrightsville is where we tend to hang out when we go. This time we ventured out at Beach Access #41. Good spot.

Playing in the dunes.

On our way home, Bella's favorite song came on the radio. She loves to sing along to "Hey, Soul Sister", but she doesn't like an audience so much. This was when she told me "no" that I could not take a picture of her singing.

But when the chorus of the song came on, she just couldn't help but sing...

Yep, it was a good day. A great day, actually. Life is good!