"Hot"lanta!

The mad tour continues… water parks, cousins, friends, wii, sprinklers, pools, tubing down the chatahoochee…anything to beat this 100+ degree heat here in Atlanta.  I do not remember in the 21 years I lived here ever having this kind of heat.  But maybe my memory is selective...

Goofy kids...fun with cousins.

Of course everyone wonders how Jake is going to do socially after being semi isolated for so long and I have to admit I wondered as well.  Turns out, it wasn’t Jake I should have worried about…it’s me.  All of the hustle and bustle is quite overwhelming.  I find that I haven’t changed much but my perspective on things have changed drastically so it makes some conversations awkward and others just boring.  I find that I’m easily over stimulated and crave a little alone time more often than not (especially after a day with more than one child…I know I know, you guys are laughing at me but it’s true).  And the thing I can’t quite make right is the missing of my fabulous husband!  I guess that should be no surprise but it is.  I thought I could just jump back into military mode and it would be no big deal…  the good news is that he can call pretty often and he has the luxury of being able to say no to things that are too risky and make the calls he needs to make to do things right…not always the case when actually in the military.  He says he’s going to send me some pictures so I’ll post them on my next up date so you can keep up with the whole family.

In the meantime, we’re going to continue keeping busy and head to VA later this week to visit all of our friends up there (more girl time!!).  For those that don’t know, Virginia is actually our “home” as adults.  Andy and I met there, got married there, bought our first house there and had our child there.  I cried when we sold our house and left my two best friends.  I had some fantastic friends at work there as well.  This is the first time I’m visiting for any length of time and I’m getting more and more excited by the day.

On a more somber note...Jake got a goldfish and Aunt Caroline said he could keep it at her house.  Well, Goldie didn't last very long and I've spent the better part of this morning consoling one very upset six year old.  He hasn't been this upset since his hermit crab died on the boat.   He's normally so stoic when it comes to the lifecycle of animals...strictly food chain type conversations.  But this little bug eyed goldfish made quite the impression.  These little people never cease to amaze me.

A few strawberries and donuts later and now he's off to play...ah, the resiliency.   Here's some pictures documenting the madness he calls play...  Enjoy!

It's no surprise Jake's favorite part of the water park was the wave pool!

Who knows what they were doing...

Legoland Discovery Center

Jake and this random kid built the pyramid...then they turn the knob
and see if it would withstand an earthquake.

Carter and Jake making water balloons...

...to throw at mommy.

Jake with my friend Angie's kids...

These four cuties were enjoying their salmon with a very sophisticated
concoction of apple juice, sprite topped with a sprig of mint, courtesy
of Mr. Jamie.

Too much Wii makes for very tired boys.

The long awaited pillow fight.  The girls at Caitie's sleepover
surprised Jake.  But he says he did make one "surrender."