summer weekend fun

What a wonderful day we had this weekend. We continued to celebrate the Little Dude's birthday, this time with all my siblings and neices and nephews. They were all very kind and brought gifts for the Little Dude, and he was over the moon excited about the lego and Thomas and games he received. He was particularly pleased with this cops and robbers lego set. I can't describe to you how cute it is to hear him exclaim "this is exactly the one I wanted!" So joyful and sweet and excited at the same time.

And he seemed equally excited to give a gift to Grandpapa (who also has a birthday at this time of year). A gift that he'd picked himself. And wrapped himself (well, you know, put into the bag, but still) and carried on his lap in the car on the way over. There was no way he was letting me put it into the bag with all the other stuff. That was his gift to give Grandpapa!

And speaking of Grandpapa, I propose that we shall now call him "The Architect of Thrills", because he's really gone above and beyond with realizing his dream of a zip line. We had one last summer, but this year he's done a serious upgrade.

Now you can go from the top of the hill, over the pond...

...or into the pond if you wish. (that's my big sister ya'll!)

And then, once over (or out of) the pond, you can hook your pulley onto another zip line and swing back over the pond.

My friend Sara also took the brave zip-line plunge. I did not, and not because I'm scared or nothin'. No, I was just too busy taking pictures.

Here's my Dad, in full dolphin mode, diving off the doc. (That man is a senior, you guys, I mean, he gets the 70 plus discount at the movies. And still zip lining and dock diving. I'm just sayin')

Hubs and the Little Dude did not end up going in the pond, but did enjoy a leisurely float about on top of it in the paddle boat.

And the Baby got his fair share of mud and pond water by running into it fully clothed (with mama and GranGran and Daddy all very close at hand, don't worry). By the time we'd finished what was just supposed to be playing in the sand on the shore and paddling our feet in the water, there was not an item of clothing that was not soaked and muddy. We headed straight back up to the house for an early bath.