Big surprise!

The swingset was installed and waiting for us to return home. Mama and Dada told Austen about a big surprise waiting for her as we approached the house. Austen’s animated guesses included a big lollipop and a “videor” but she wasn’t expecting what she saw as she exclaimed, “a tree house!?” Within 10 minutes, Austen had climbed, swang, scaled and played with almost all of the features.

Dada still needs to add sand for the sandbox and the cushioned surface – mulch, wood-chips or pea-gravel…TBD but doesn’t see what all the big deal is with installing one of these sets.

Crab fest

Abby, Daisy and Auntie Janet joined Grandpa Earl and Dolly for our little crab fest. A bushel of small crabs goes a long way.

Following the food and play, we went for a quick dip in Uncle James’ pool since you can never get enough pool time.

Obligatory cow picture.

Birthday Party Madness

Austen always makes an impression when attending birthday parties:

Birthday party #1: Austen is handed a piece of cake and screams (for all the hear), “No! I want a big piece!” (She doesn’t even manage to finish her “small” piece.)

#2: Austen sees the birthday boy sitting with his piece of cake and tries to get into his chair, yelling, “No, that’s my birthday cake!”

#3: Austen sees an unwrapped present she likes, grabs it, and tussles with birthday girl over it. Both fall down, knocking over a pile of presents. Everyone gasps loudly! Mama is mortified: “Naptime! Time to say ‘Bye bye.'”

For the most party, Austen is fun, playful, social and enthusiastic at birthday parties (she loves to sing “Happy Birthday” and say “Happy Birthday!” and hand her gift to the birthday child) but she never gets through a whole party without at least one “incident” that makes Mama blush. Mama was such a shy, reserved child who never made a splash. Austen, on the other hand, never goes unnoticed.