Happy Birthday, Keegan!

Today was our friend Keegan's 3rd birthday. We all met at the pool to swim and celebrate. Even though it hit 100 degrees, it was a perfect day. The pool area had lots of shade and the water was nice and cool. The kids had a blast! So did the moms. It was good to see so many people show up! There were the regulars, but also some moms and kids that we don't get to see very often. It's days like this that make the heat bearable... And the cake? Yum!

Singing to the birthday boy.

Blowing out the candles

 

Xander, waiting patiently for cake, fork in hand (and mouth full of pretzel)

I think Keegan really liked his cake!

Lew and Noni come to play

Xander loves having friends over to play, so he was excited when I told him that Lew and Noni we coming to play. Lew is such a sweetheart and I love that the boys play so well together. And the best part was that Chris was here to lend a hand, so Noni and I could talk and bit. Chris even made a pot of coffee for us!

Taking a snack break

Lew and Xander - whipping up something in the kitchen

Riding his bike

Reading in bed

I love watching him sleep!

Pearl/McCrae Park

It was another hot one, so the group planned to meet at Pearl Park to play in the sand before it got too hot and then in the pool. Unfortunately, the pool was closed for repairs! So, Tami suggested that we head to another park not far away that also had a pool. Xander had a blast trying out everyone's floaties and eating lunch on his towel with his friends.

Taking time out to eat his breakfast (yes, I didn't feed the kid before we left the house)

Trying out a floatie

Xander and Maya

Lake Harriet beach

We met some friends at a small beach on Lake Harriet today. It was our first time at an actual beach, including seaweed and fish - yuck! But it wasn't too bad. My friend, Liz, scared away some fish for me so that I didn't start freaking out! It was nice and shady, and the water felt good. Xander loved playing in the sand with Omar. But most of all, he loved all the duckies. There was even a mommy duck with her babies! When the kids were sitting in the water and very still, they would come right up to them. I of course didn't have my camera on me when this was all going on, but Ann managed to get some good shots of the babies. They were so cute! Xander kept insisting that they needed to be hugged and kissed by him!

eating lunch

Ava, Lily and Daniel (older sister Diana is not is the photo) were building a sand castle

Pizza time

For lunch today we made one of Xander's favorites - pizza. I grab whatever I can find out of the fridge and we pile it on pita bread. Quick, easy, healthy and Xander loves that he gets to make his own. It's a great way to use up the left over veggies in the fridge that must get eaten or tossed!

Yummy asparagus and red peppers!

Xander ate half of the veggies I cut up before he could get them onto the pizza

He wants to eat it without putting it in the oven

Finally, time to eat

Pool Party at Ava and Lily's house!

Ann invited us to come over and play in their backyard today. Lew and Noni came as well. All I have to do is mention Ava and Lily's house and Xander is standing by our door, ready to go. I don't know what it is, but inside and out, it is his favorite place to go! The kids had fun keeping cool in the pool while we got to sit and chat. Once Xander saw the rest of the kids going down the slide and into the pool, he felt brave enough to do it himself. As always, we had the best time. Thanks, Ann, Ava and Lily!

More pool fun!

Ava enjoying a moment of peace in the pool by herself

 

Taking turns sliding

 

finally giving a floatie a try

 

Snack time

Lounging