Stone Mountain, Georgia

I had heard of Stone Mountain before we moved to Georgia, but I didn't know much about it or what it was.  Some Oklahoma friends were coming to Atlanta for a wedding, and we decided to check it out with them while they were in our neck of the woods.

Stone Mountain is basically a giant granite rock just east of Atlanta.  After a picnic lunch, we took a cable car up to the top (there was no way we were hiking with all the little folks) and explored.  It was a gorgeous day, and the view was amazing.  We could see the different Atlanta skylines, as well as miles and miles of green forest.  The kids loved running free and exploring all the little puddles up top.

Eli

Eli

Eli and Miss Wesley.  These two were big buddies.

Don't worry.  They're not as close to the edge as it looks.  It was a little nerve wracking.  Even when you're right there, it looks like the kids are on the edge.  The mamas were definitely on high alert.

My boys

Some great Oklahoma friends.  We're so glad we got to catch up with them and meet their sweet new baby while they were in town.

Our family with the Atlanta skyline in the background.

Homemade Pizza Night

I can't believe I've never made homemade pizza with the boys.  I remember making it every now and then before we had kids, but then the children came, and it seemed easier to just pick it up or have it delivered.  Well, last Saturday came around, and I decided it might be a fun little project to work on during the A&M/Auburn game.  It's a good thing it turned out to be really tasty because we needed some comfort food after that game.

This was the best homemade pizza I've ever made, so we're sticking with this pizza dough recipe.  The kids loved choosing their own toppings and loved only eating from their personal pizza.  We had a lot of fun, and I can't wait to make it again.

Church Family Night

The boys and I attended our church's Family Night at the Ag Center in Perry last night.  There were hotdogs for dinner, and lots of inflatables and games for the kids.  The boys were in heaven, and I was in heaven dreaming about how wonderfully easy bedtime was going to be.  It was a win-win!

We started with hotdogs.  By the way, we used to never eat hotdogs because Clayton went through a phase when he was little where he'd throw up after EVERY SINGLE hotdog he'd eat.  That made birthday parties tons of fun.  We tried them again a year or so ago, and he can handle them now.  Strange.  Just add it to his list.

These two were also all about the hotdogs.

Clayton

Eli.  He dressed himself after church, and when we got to the Ag Center, I was really happy he'd worn that fluorescent yellow shirt.  It made keeping track of him much easier.

So much fun.

Eli played so hard.  The sweat was dripping from his head all night.  He is a man-child that way.

Sweet Aaron.

Always moving.



Clayton spotted this bouncy trampoline thing the minute we arrived.  The line was so long, but he was determined to wait it out.  I felt so bad for him as he waited nearly an hour to get on this thing.  Other kids had their parents wait in line for them, but I had the little boys to tend to, so Clayton had to wait for himself.  In the end, he loved it, and I was really proud of his determination to wait it out.

Here we go.  I took a million pictures of him because it was such a big deal to him.  I know the other parents thought I was a crazy papparazi mom.

Apparently, it was worth the wait.  He's not very heavy and had a bit of a hard time getting going, but luckily another mom was able to give him a couple of good pulls while I snapped pictures.

They raised him up pretty high.  He was laughing so hard.

By the end of Clayton's ride, it was nearly 8pm, and Aaron was laying on the floor next to me, sucking his thumb.  Eli was nearing a meltdown, so it was time to call it.  They were setting off fireworks at 9pm, but I knew we'd never last, so I bribed the kids with a McDonald's ice cream cone on the way home, and they were happy to leave early.

Up to Atlanta

We took our first family trip up to Atlanta today.  We have really wanted to visit the Georgia Aquarium, but knowing that it was Memorial Day, we decided we didn't want to deal with the crowds.  Instead we opted for the World of Coca Cola, hoping it wouldn't be too crowded.

Aaron has a thing for polar bears.  He sleeps with his "po bear" every night.  I wasn't sure what he'd think about the Coca Cola polar bear, seeing as he was a little terrified of the Chick-fil-A cow just last week, but he marched right up to this polar bear and snuggled up to him.  As we were leaving, he said, "Hey, Po Bear didn't give me a kiss."  The polar bear bent down and "kissed" him.  Then we could go.

I had to show Eli this display about recycling Coke bottles because he's obsessed with all things recycling.  You should see the insane amount of trash in my garage waiting to be driven to the recycling center.  Eli won't let me throw away anything that can be recycled, and of course we don't have curbside pick up here.

By the time we were done, it was after two, and these boys were tired and had not eaten lunch.  Yikes.  I wanted a picture, but after about 12 attempts, it was clear that wasn't going to happen without some food in their bellies.  Clayton's holding up his "free" Coke from the tour.  He is so excited about having a Coke.  It's an almost nonexistent treat around here.  It's in the fridge now.  Maybe tomorrow.

Baja Fresh was just across the street, and as much as I would have liked to find something more local, these boys were beat, and I was pretty excited to have a taste of home.  Baja was one of our regulars in Nevada and California.  Who knew they'd have one in Atlanta?

After lunch, we changed the boys into their swimsuits and headed to Centennial Olympic Park.  The park is beautiful, right in the middle of downtown, and I knew the Fountain of Rings would be a fun place for the boys to get a little wet.  

We arrived just in time to see one of the water shows, along with the rest of Atlanta.

The boys watching the fountain show, waiting to play.

It was big and crowded, every mama's nightmare.  Ryan and I decided on the divide and conquer approach.  I kept my eyes on Clayton and Aaron.  Ryan kept his eyes on Eli and my purse.  He's a winner, that one.

I know I talk about so many changes in Clayton over the past couple years, but here I go again.  Clayton hasn't really played in fountains like this for the last two summers.  The cold water really bothered his joints.  He would usually just lay on a beach towel or relax in the stroller while the other kids played.  Now he can't get enough.  He loves to play in water now.

Aaron liked the fountain, but there were a lot of people, and after a few minutes he needed a Gatorade break.  It made my child tracking immensely easier.

My sweet Eli.  He's a case.

Aaron decided to dance a jig.  Not sure where that came from.

Clayton

Overall, we had a great day in Atlanta.  We can't wait to go back and visit the aquarium, preferably on a non-holiday weekday.  There are a few other things I know we'll enjoy as well.  One of the perks of military life is getting to see new places.  It's always most fun in the beginning, when every place is new.

Chef Eli

Eli loves to assist me in the kitchen.  He always wants to be on his stool next to me while I'm cooking.  Then he'll inform us all that he's a good "cooker."  Here he's learning to make grilled cheese.

He helped spread the butter, put the cheese on, stack them, and flip them.

Trying them out.  Not bad.

The true taste test from Aaron.  Hmm?

Aaron approves.  One thumb up.

PS  Shh!  I only comb the boys' hair on days we're leaving the house.  It's one of the benefits of only having boys.

This One is for Nan

Nan sent Eli this puzzle set for Easter.  A few weeks back, he was desperate for a school assignment, as usual, so I got these out.  He matched all the upper and lower case letters together, but I did have to help him with the pictures.  Then he put them all together by himself.  He was so proud, he wanted a picture to show Nan.

It's amazing what different personalities my kids have.  It's no secret that Clayton isn't exactly what I would call a motivated student.  That's putting it nicely.  I have to spend a lot of time coaching him along in school.  Then there's Eli who's so desperate to be in school and learn everything right along with Clayton.  He's not quite able to keep up with big brother, but he wants to learn so badly.  It takes a lot of time and energy on my part to keep him occupied with preschool type activities while I work with Clayton.  It won't be long before he's ready to sound out words, and then look out.  This boy will want to know it all.  There will be no holding him back.

Tybee Island

The boys started playing t-ball pretty much as soon as we were settled here, so we haven't had much time to get out and tour around the area.  We had a rained out game several weeks back, and even though the weather was wet, we decided to load up and check out Tybee Island, about three hours from here.  There is a historic lighthouse on the island, and Clayton and I had been reading The Light at Tern Rock for school, so we wanted to check out a real lighthouse.  They don't have those in Oklahoma.

Tybee Island Light Station

Dad and Aaron on their way up.  This backpack carrier had the staff on high alert.  I guess we fit the terrorist profile.  Luckily, they finally let us take it up the stairs.  There's no way Aaron could have made it to the top.  He's only two years old.

Eli and Clayton on their way up.

Ryan and his boys.

Clayton climbed all 178 stairs up and down without assistance.  That's a huge accomplishment for the boy who was riding in a stroller everywhere last summer.  We really have his arthritis under control these days, and he's building his strength more and more each day.

A rare family picture.

The boys on their way down to the beach.

It was cold and wet, but they were able to do a little exploring.

A view of the lighthouse from the beach.

After our short tour of Tybee Island, we drove into Savannah.  It was pouring down rain, so we just drove around the city and saw what we could see in the van.  It was so cute, and we look forward to visiting again on a day with better weather.