Grantham's 5th Pirate Party

Grantham decided to have a "boy" birthday party. He invited 8 of his friends that were boys. Nana, Pawpaw and Auntie Kara came to help with the party. Grantham designed his own cake. Drawing a picture for me to copy for his birthday cake - I was pretty impressed with his ideas (the orange is an octopus leg coming out of the ocean to grab the treasure).

As guests arrived, they created flags and decorated treasure chests.

Isaac and Pawpaw even created a flag:)

Time for cake and ice cream - Grantham blowing out his candles.

Let the treasure hunt begin - Daddy lead his band of pirates to attack the boat with water balloon cannons.

After boarding the boat, they attacked the "bad guys" (balloons) with swords (bambam sticks). They cornered them and put them in the holding cell.

A loose cannon was found (hot potatoe), the losers had to walk the plank. The winner discovered a treasure map!

Grantham walking the plank!

Down the stairs as they followed the treasure map.

Finding the missing piece of the map proved to be a challenge . . .

on they searched through a tunnel, over the river and around the cannons

Until they found the X that marked the spot. Hidden under some pillows was a treasure chest full of "goodies." The loot was divided up for each guest/pirate and they took them home in their treasure chests.

Enjoying a pirate game that Grantham received at his party.

Florida with Grandma and Pepaw

Enjoying the spoils of a meal cooked together
Waiting to get into Disney Epcot

So excited to meet Mickey again

Isaac was not so sure about Goofy but Grantham loved meeting all the characters - we had NO line and were lucky enough to be the second people in line for the day

Isaac dancing with Grandma - when you stepped on the musical instruments pictures on the floor they played a song - Isaac and Grantham could have stayed here all day

One of the things Grantham was most looking forward to on this trip was a visit to the Lego store - he could have spent our life savings in the store!

Checking out the Lego wall

Creating a Lego man - SO FOCUSED

Too cute picture of Isaac waiting for Grantham while he was in the Lego store

Enjoying the pool

Meeting an astronaut at the Kennedy Space Center

Trying out a rover on the moon

Talking with a retired astronaunt

Past rocket ships

Putt-putting with Pepaw for the first time

Pepaw teaching Isaac how to putt

Cute picture with Grandparents at the end of the trip

Atlanta and Auntie Melanie

One of John's sisters, Melanie, lives in Germany. We don't get to see her much but she had a free weekend in Atlanta so we decided to join her for a day. We had a great time discovering the aquarium! All of us at the start of the adventure
Enjoying the beautiful weather

the penguins loved following Grantham's hand motions - not sure why, but it was fun to watch him direct the birds around the tank

Brotherly love?!?

The boys watching the manatees

A quick snack outside the aquarium - long but fun day in Atlanta

Drums

Isaac like his big brother loves music and the kid drum set is a BIG hit:)

It is so fun when Isaac comes to get me, pulls me into the playroom, points to a chair and "puts" on a show. He loves to sing at the top of his lungs while he BANGS on the drums.

Monster Trucks

John and Grantham had a father/son night out on the town. They took on the monster trucks at the BI-LO center. Grantham has become facinated by smashing and crashing and John loved going with one of his childhood friends as kids. We bought front and center tickets; we thought this would be a huge success . . .The arena This is the face says it all - John put ear plugs and ear muffs on Grantham to try to block out the noise but nothing made him happy
Grantham's favorite part was sitting in the concessions outside the arena eating popcorn, watching the trucks on the TV and purchasing this Lego monster truck (which he used to re-enact the show over and over again as if he loved it). Note to parents: NOT something we will be wasting our money on again - definately not Grantham's "thing"

Snow in SC - really???

Greenville received 6 -10 inches of snow in early January. The town had NO idea how to cope with that much snow. Thankfully the Pulcinis had just gotten back from skiing and were well equiped - but BOY WAS IT COLD! Grantham trying to scrap off the driveway - after living in IN for 6 years we learned that you have to clear off the driveway the first day it snows or you will be sorry (It was funny seeing our neighbors out three days later with pick axes trying to break the ice)

Isaac ready to face the cold

Mommy and Isaac trying to walk

Building a snowman with Daddy

TA-DA the final creation - berries for hair, Ritz crackers for eyes/noses, balloon for a mouth

Isaac watching from the window - it proved to be too cold for this little boy

Just Hanging out in January

Helping Mommy clean - one of my boys "fun" activities - hope they never grow out of wanting to help!

Filling Papa's Shoes

Working at the craft table -so proud of my work:)

Drawing with magnets

Just hanging out - stuffed animals have become a favorite toy at our house - great for wrestling, fighting, cooking for and sometimes just snuggling

This is what happens when Mommy turns her back for too long!