Are you going to Scarborough Faire?

Okay, so I am going to try to catch up a little on our recent events. We went to Scarborough Faire this year on one of the cooler weekends and really enjoyed it! Nathan loved the idea of wearing his cape and really had fun running around! Evan had a good time, but he's still just a little young to get into it all. Of course, James and I dressed up (it wouldn't be right for us not too!) and it was fun to be back after skipping a few years. The food was good as always, the entertainment was punny (no that is not a type-o) and the weather was good - what more could you ask. We did set a record for us for staying from 10 am until 6pm! The boys were exhausted but they had such a good time! I'll let the photos below tell the rest of the story:

Our first stop inside the gates was the Maze. It was a lot of fun and Evan really loved it. I had to take him back later and he kept asking to go back to it over and over!

We stopped to watch a little of the jousting games. Nathan really enjoyed it, but I gave in and took Evan back to the maze when he got bored with watching.

Nathan got to meet "our" knight and bought a piece of the lance
for a souvenir for himself and one for Evan!

Nathan wanted to ride the "pony ride" and chose the white Lama!

Evan loved these flowers and made me take him over to them so he could stop and smell!

Daniel Duke of Danger always puts on a good show!
It was one of the shows Nathan got to see during the day.

I wonder if they are plotting to take over the kingdom?

We got a good spot to watch the parade go by!

One day at Scarborough Faire and they are ready for battle!

How long ago was Easter?

Yes, I know, I am way, way behind on, well, everything!

If I was independently wealthy, had a live-in maid, night nanny (yes these exist!), playmate/sitter for the boys (that I trusted) for the weekends, chef, gardener, pool boy (wait, we don't have pool!), pet sitter...then maybe, just maybe I could keep up with the 1,000's of photos I take of the boys almost daily. That would entail reviewing, cropping, color correcting, loading to Winkflash (yeah, right), ordering copies from Winkflash (independent wealth would come in handy) oh, and creating the annual photo books for the boys. Then, I would have everything in order to be able to blog too! Well, one could dream, if she got to sleep through the night! But enough about me, you're all here to see the boys. So, here are some fun shots from Easter!

Lots of goodies in our baskets!

Nathan found the 1st egg!

But Evan does a good job keeping up!


Working together!

Look what I found!

Nathan does the "Happy Dance"!

"Waaa, my basket is too heavy to carry!!"

Now for the best part...opening the eggs!



Breaking with tradition, we decided to color our hard boiled eggs AFTER the hunt! Really, what kid wants to waste good basket space on real eggs when there are goodie filled ones to be found! (And what adult wants to peel and eat a real egg that has been dropped throughout the yard a dozen times!)



My two boys are so different! Nathan carefully uses the provided wire egg holder to get his eggs in and out of the dye. Evan, tries the spoon and decides that hands work best!


Nathan's finished eggs

and Evan's eggs!

Turning 2 At Last!

Well, we continued the Thomas theme for Evan's birthday which was actually on Sunday but we celebrated with the grandparents on Saturday.

It was a party like we are known to throw with decorations and toys on the dining table for first thing in the morning and an over the top cake! This year's Thomas theme for Evan was pretty easy since there is a ton of Thomas stuff to be had. I think both boys had a great time and as always, I had a lot of fun creating just the right cake and a fun day!

Here's the decorated dining room, all ready for the boys on Saturday morning. We had balloons, Thomas photos hanging, a Thomas table cloth and new train/construction crew toys on the table for the morning

I also found really cute wall decals to decorate the room with. Evan loves stickers but wants to peel and stick them over and over so I thought these would be perfect for him to play with even after the party.

They were both pretty anxious to get downstairs in the morning and see all the surprises!


Evan loved the big Thomas balloon!


And he now has lots of new friends to play with!


Nathan was pretty excited too and they started playing right away!



Dad even found a small Thomas ball that Evan loved to drop over and over!


And Nathan was very excited to find out that the Madge train he had wanted was on the table for him!

Then it was hugs for Mama and a chorus of "she's mine!" until I carried them off to the front room to play.


Dressed for the day in Thomas shirts, they just couldn't wait for the Grandparents to get there so the presents could begin!

Evan got homemade cards from his Colorado cousins, Maddie, Molly and Andy and some great Handy Manny toys!


Then a wooden Spencer train from Grandma and Grandpa Beebe...

... and a cool wooden name puzzle that he loves to work!


Evan loved that Nathan got a Wonder Pets toy! (Brothers get a few small presents too!)

After each present was opened, Evan ran to each person in the room and showed them what he got! It was very cute.

Grandma & Grandpa Vandever gave him a box set of Thomas books (which he is showing here to Grandpa Beebe) ...

... and a very cool art easel that both boys will love to use!

Of course, with such a great gift comes some assembly required! So Grandma and Grandpa Vandever had fun putting it together.


And Evan was ready to use it right away.

Grandma Great sent a cute card and money - which is always good!

And Grandma and Grandpa Palmer sent a card and Walmart gift card which will make for some exciting shopping in the near future!

With presents unwrapped and tummies grumbling, James cooked out burgers and we enjoyed lunch. Soon after it was time for the great cake unveiling!

Everyone got their own train cake and Evan chose the James engine (the red one) and Nathan was very happy to get to have the Thomas (blue one). Everything was edible, even the Chocolate rocks which were very tasty!

Evan must have remembered candles from his first birthday, because he started blowing almost before we could get them lit!



And he had a great time using a fork and spoon on the cakes but I don't think he ate a bite!


He did talk Dad into helping him touch Harold the Helicopter while everyone finished their cake!


Happy Birthday my sweet little boy! I'm so glad you enjoyed your day!