Happy Birthday, Hamilton!

Though most of our celebrating was yesterday with all our family around, today is actually Hamilton's birthday. Happy third birthday to our biggest boy! We celebrated with a cookout for lunch; though we didn't time things well, and the boys were both tired and ready for naps before we could start the birthday party. Sweet Uncle Travis and Cheri hung around all afternoon to celebrate with us. We devoured cake and ice cream after the boys woke up.

This year I had the idea to do a digger cake. So after Mom and I both researched digger cakes a bit, we settled on one similar to this example I found on Pinterest. It didn't take long to create--unlike some of our previous birthday creations.

I used orange Dots and bubble gum for the cones, heads or tails Oreos for the dirt, and powdered-sugar-covered raisins for the rocks--which were Hamilton's favorite.

Here he's sneaking more sweet raisins, as Mom lit the candles and started the birthday singing.

Hamilton was a bit shy but happy as we sang to him.

After cake and ice cream, we opened presents on the back porch. Mimi and Pops gave him a red t-shirt with a real train engine printed on the front and a coal car on the back.

The Cozy Coupe has been a big hit for both boys. Hamilton loves to play like he's going to work in his car. Then he gets out, shuts the door, and says, "It's been a hard day at work."

Collier looks like he might take after his a-bit-prone-to-road-rage daddy.

The toy from Uncle Billy and Aunt Linda that made lots of noises and sounds has been a big hit, too.

After presents, I helped Hamilton open his cards. He especially loved the Chuggington card that played a song upon opening it. He was so excited to figure out what made the music stop and start!

Claire made a delightful card for Hamilton's birthday using scraps of paper.

**Special thanks to Uncle Travis for snapping pictures while I enjoyed Hamilton.

Parade Fun in Mountville

Happy Fourth of July! We're celebrating in Mountville, so the annual parade and hot-dog supper were on the agenda last night. Mom's cheery, festive bouquet adorned the table for lunch after we arrived.

We spent some of the afternoon preparing our "parade float." Mom used the shop-vac to clean out the back, and she draped holiday fabric over the roof and seat cushion.

We ate hot dogs and cole slaw on the grounds of the Fire Department. Hamilton saw some familiar faces, so he asked, "We eat with our friends?" That's how he came to sit on a blanket with all girls.

Hamilton licked all the icing off his cupcake, then he took off the paper and scarfed down the cake.

Collier walked all around finding friends as well. Dolly (in red) was far more interested in the puppy than Collier was.

Everyone wore red, white, and blue to celebrate.

Mountville somehow dodged the huge thunderstorms that surrounding cities and towns endured, but we did get a little bit of rain. We took cover in the Fire Department after the trucks were moved out. Hamilton's playing with new friends and scheming for a seat in the coveted pink folding chair.

Collier was a bit tired after eating supper and playing with new friends, so he sat in his stroller watching the bigger kids running all around in the rain.

Claire also found some friends, and they did whatever tweens do nowadays.

I love this picture because it shows Hamilton's best bossy pose. I'm sure he's giving Maggie Brooke an earful about some rule she's breaking.

Finally, Hamilton got his turn in the pink folding chair.

After a slight rain delay, we started the parade. Claire drove the golf cart with Mr. Morgan riding shotgun for safety.

Uncle Travis and Cheri were great sports, riding in the back of the golf cart with the boys. Mimi handed out flags and streamers on sticks.

Collier never dropped his flag, proudly waving it along the whole parade route.

Here's our bunch in action as they came around the parade route in front of the big house where I was stationed.

Behind them was a big tractor, so Hamilton had a fun view during the parade.

The younger bunch was short several members this year, so they paid homage to their faraway friends.

The Bagwells made a sign:

Stop Lights:  0

Population: ~500

Chicken Houses: 39

Living in Mountville

PRICELESS

The greater Crisp family did a water theme with the kids shooting water cannons and throwing water balloons at parade-watchers.

Collier found himself in an airplane after the parade. I think he liked it!

He was still gripping his flag and waving it proudly.

Summer Update

Two days ago I peeked on Collier, as he played on the back porch. I found him sitting in the chair like a big boy. He learns new skills almost every day, as he continues to prefer walking to crawling. He's housing seven teeth now, and he's still drooling enough to warrant a bib.

No, I haven't cut his hair yet. How can I cut those few curls in the back--I mean, my kid has some curls! (It's so unbelievable as to be untrue, so I keep them for cuteness and for proof.)

Collier is even cuddlier than Hamilton, which I'm loving as he's still so little compared to his big brother. He often lays his head on my shoulder even if he's not tired. It's just for a few seconds, just like a hug. He loves food, and he'll still eat anything you feed him--you just better have a lot ready to give him.

Despite the heat, the boys have LOVED playing in the dirt area I cleared for them. We hope to fill it with sand soon, but both sure love the dirt. Several times this past week we bathed them/hosed them off on the patio before they stepped one foot inside.

I so enjoy this view out our double window: I can keep an eye on the boys while they play in the dirt and heat, while I'm cooking dinner or cleaning up the kitchen. I can also intervene as Hamilton steals Collier's toys, flicks dirt in his face, or whacks him with a plastic shovel. All of those things happened this week. Hamilton now understands that I can see him, so he often takes a quick peek toward the window if he's just done something questionable.

Claire and I went to earthArt on Thursday for some much-needed away-time from the boys. We painted our clay pottery from our last girls' trip, so in a week or so we can pick up our creations. I'll be sure to snap some pictures of our handmade treasures to share. We ate lunch out before our pottery time, and we finished the afternoon with frozen yogurt before heading home.

The boys love to play in the little pool, so unless I want wet boys when they're done playing outside, we have to empty the pool before venturing into the backyard. Hamilton likes to jump in onto his knees splashing water everywhere.

Hamilton's so much bigger this year in the pool than last year; I can hardly believe it.

Collier tries to climb everything, so he wasn't detered by the lounge chair.

Isn't this a determined face?

This past week Mr. Morgan and I ate breakfast one morning with just Hamilton, since neither Claire nor Collier were awake yet. As we dined on fresh blackberries from Mimi and Pops's garden, Hamilton said sweetly, "I love you."

He does volunteer this phrase occasionally, so I replied as usual, "I love you, too."

He corrected me in a serious tone, "I was talking to the blackberry."