Spring Time Party Down

So glad it's t-shirt weather. Spending time outside. It's so great.

We got outside with some 3D sidewalk chalk and paint, and we decorated the street.

Ira is the definition of legit. Word up.

Obviously, Ira learned how to be cool from his mother.

We've started our first season of soccer. The first game was a little rough, but Ira is excited about it now. Our team is the Dragons, and Ira has mastered the dragon growl.

He's such a little athlete.

At the end of the games the kids run through a gauntlet of parental high fives. We're so proud of our little dragon.

Of course we spent some time at the Science Center. There's an awesome robotics exhibit going on right now.

Kirsten was very freaked out by this weird mannequin with a human face projected onto it.

Science is way cooler now than it was when I was kid.

Ira blasts some germs at the Science Center.

Since Ira has the world's most amazing teacher, his class does some crazy, awesome things. Like painting with mud. I don't even know what this means, but it's crazy and awesome.

I love spring. It's great to be outside.

Teeter totter!

Here, Ira is hiding under a train at Centennial Park.

Ira's friend Drew had a science themed birthday party with Mr. Bond the Science Guy.

Mr. Bond made CO2 bubbles with soap and dry ice.

And they made slime. Needless to say, it was a big hit.

Ira's school had crazy hair day to celebrate Week of the Young Child. Kirsten brought back her look from 1994 for the occasion.

They also had pajama day at school. Ira wanted to wear one slipper and one rain boot because of course, why not?

Bike riding in Bicentennial Park. It's kind of confusing having Centennial and Bicentennial Parks.

Doing stuff

The Nashville Opera did a free performance at the Country Music Hall of Fame a few weeks ago so of course we were there.

The opera was The Brothers Grimm, and we enjoyed it very much.

This weekend Ira's soccer team had their first game. He did a very good job posing at the house before the game.

Though his shorts have an eight, he's actually number sixteen.

Jason and Kyle came to watch the game and had lunch with us.

This afternoon we took a nice walk, and we found this cute, little bridge over a very tiny creek.

Soon we gave up on the bridge and Ira was stomping in the mud.

He was overjoyed.

Jesse had to work after Christmas so Ira and I went to Pensacola to celebrate New Year's. Here Ira poses with Nana, Papa, Uncle Luke and a lot of his cousins at Chuck E. Cheese.


Ira loves his cousin Cheyenne. They are almost exactly the same age and even though they don't see each other very often, Ira is always excited to see her. Here they are riding a horse together...


and here they are riding in a school bus.


Ira's adorable little cousin Isaiah on the Barney ride. You can see Ira and Cheyenne still playing together in the background.


After spending some time with Nana and Papa, Ira was able to have a sleep over with Nonny and Poppy. Nonny and Poppy recently moved in to a new house. Here Ira is inspecting the awesome tree house in their backyard. Sadly, the tree house is in need of some repair but should be up and running by our summer visit.


Nonny and Poppy had some great Christmas presents for Ira. Ira and his little cousin Michael got the cutest matching Superman pajamas.


Nonny and Poppy treated us to lunch at Tijuana Flats. Ira and Nonny took a break from lunch to snap this picture with Poseidon.


Ira had so much fun at Nonny and Poppy's. He played with his cousin, Michael...


and he played with Michael's toys. Ira is such a big boy. He even puts his own underwear on.


Ira's great grandmother, GG, came over for a visit.


And Ira was able to visit with his Uncle Jeremy one last time before he moves to Louisiana.


Poppy with his boys!


Ira can't figure out why babies don't eat giant candy canes. Thank you Nonny and Poppy for the biggest candy cane in the world.


No trip to Pensacola is complete without a visit to Uncle Anthony's fire station.


Nana, Ira and Holley playing on the fire truck.


Ira taking Uncle Anthony for a ride.


Climbing on the truck with David.


Spraying the hose with Jack Jack (Aunt Jackie).


After the visit to the fire house, we went to Bellingrath Gardens. Here Ira and Jacob admire the lights.





Goofing around with Papa at Bellingrath Gardens.


Under the Sea with Jack Jack...


and Holley.


Jack Jack and Uncle Anthony hosted a kid friendly New Year's party. We rang in the New Year at 8:00.


Papa and Ira were excellent noise makers.


Here Ira is in awe of Papa's incredible fireworks display.


This picture is blurry but you can see Papa puts on a serious show. Not bad for a guy in his front yard.


Ringing in the New Year with white grape juice and a party blower. Ira loved seeing his family in Florida. I wish we could see them more often.