4th of July - Happy Birthday U.S.A.

They have a lot in common: they both like boats and "Pa-Pa" is also discovering they like the same foods (he calls Cash a "lil' thief" because he swipes any food Poppie has.

We all like boat rides: in the mornings we would ride around drinking coffee and dancing (Cash loves to dance); in the afternoons we'd cruise to watch the jet-skis and campers; and at night we watched fireworks. Of course, Cash fell asleep almost every time we went out.

Rhodes saw the fireworks and decided it must be a birthday party - which of course it was: Happy Birthday U.S.A. We didn't have birthday cake but we did have marshmallows (see below).This was so much fun for Rhodes....thanks Unlce Justin.

Cash usually watched from a distance in the safe embrace of his "Ga-Ma."
Marshmallow-time!

It got a little sticky for some.

Rhodes implemented the "chimpmunk" storage method.

I love seeing my kids this happy.

Uncle Justin was Cash's buddy for awhile.

Malea was a hit with Rhodes.

Here they are playing the "animal train" game. If she said the correct animal with the correct letter Rhodes would tell her, "Good, that's right." But if she missed one, he'd say, "Noooooo."Sorry Rhodes, Uncle Justin snagged her first but the consulation prize is pretty cool: she'll make a fun Auntie. Congratulations, Justin & Malea, on your engagement.

My Little Shutterbug...I'm so proud.

Rhodes loves to help me take pictures. Today I let him have full-rein of the camera; he was so happy - he put the strap around his neck, learned how to push the correct button (vs all of them), how to look through the viewfinder & then how to preview pictures on the LCD.

He certainly captured the character of his subjects (note: I didn't say he captured characters - although that would be true as well).

Good job, Rhodes!