Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Let Summer Begin...

SUMMER has begun here in Charlottesville and the Ballard Boys couldn't be More Excited! Swimming, Picking, Picnicking, and now Swinging!! The Boys are going to be a BLAST this Summer! 


I guess we are off to Target for Life Jackets because we could NOT keep the Boys off the Water Slide at the North Pool! James Screamed "WEE WEE!" all the way down and William Screamed " Don't Let Go Momma!" But we spent TWO whole hours climbing the stairs and going back down!







 We also did a little Picnic at the Vineyard! We wanted to check it out before they start the Polo Matches! Scoping out the best parking place...

Peaches are READY! YUMMY! But it was WAY TOO HOT to stick around... We picked and ran.

Jebby's Favorite were the Cherries! He filled his Belly and then got back in the wagon!

Introducing our new Porch Swing! Nothing like a little Swinging in the Evening with Friends! The Boys are Loving their Cul de Sac Friends!


Sunday, May 13, 2012

Green Thumbs!!!

The Ballard Boys have a GARDEN!!! Yep, you heard right, Our Community is starting up a Community Garden and the Ballard Boys snatched up a plot of their Very Own! Mommy attended a seminar on Saturday Morning on the ins and outs of little gardens so hopefully we can get some type of harvest.  William and James were Super Excited to get started so off to Lowes we went to get the supplies we needed.  The Boys were already growing tomatoes, cucumbers, and blueberries in the back yard so we were able to find some other fun stuff to attempt to grow....


William had a Sunflower seedling from school that made the cut as well as some Cantaloupe seedlings he was growing at the house.  At Lowes he picked out some Cherry Tomatoes, and Squash seedlings.  We also chose just some seeds to see which grows better. He picked Green Beans and Yellow Beans, along with some Carrots! We got everything Fertilized, Planted,  and Watered.  Now we just need some markers so we remember where we grew what and we are set!  Keep Your Fingers Crossed Something Grows!!!!!


Strawberry Filled Fun!!

The Ballard Boys ventured out to Chiles Orchard in Crozet late last week to do a little Strawberry picking with Friends! Man were the Strawberries Ripe! YUM!!!


 James made out like a Bandit! They should have Really Weighed him before we went it! He spent the entire Hour in the Field EATING!!!
Jebby was a Red and Happy Boy!

Nothing like a little Ice Cream with Friends after all the Hard work of Picking!

Homemade Whole Wheat Strawberry Muffins! 

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Green Stripe #2


William successfully completed his Stranger Danger Technique on Wednesday to receive his 2nd Green Stripe! 

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Ballard Boys Take Over Baltimore (Part 4)

William got to Tour some of the Historic Ships of Baltimore that were in the Harbor on Saturday while James took a little nap! William made it through 3 of the 4 ships! The Lightship CHESAPEAKE, the USS CONSTELLATION, and the USS TORSK!

All the Boys in front of the USS TORSK

William steering the Lightship CHESAPEAKE

William steering the USS TORSK.
This US Submarine was the last American naval vessel to sink and enemy warship in WWII.

As you can see William was having a Fabulous Time! ;)


Ballard Boys Take Over Baltimore (Part 3)

The Boys stayed at Baltimore's Inner Harbor.  It was Lots of Fun with Plenty of Activities! The Aquarium, Museums, Science Center, and Ships to Tour were all located within Walking Distance!


The Harbor came complete with a Pirate Ship!

The Three Amigos in their Dragon Paddle Boat!
Jason had a Blast peddling all 4 of us around the Harbor for an Hour!!!


The Boys watching the Bike Parade on the street below!
We had a Gorgeous View of the Harbor from our room, even though you couldn't tell from this pic!

No Trip would be complete without Chocolate Ice Cream! 
(I'm still trying to get it out of James's shorts!)

Ballard Boys Take Over Baltimore (Part 2)

Saturday Morning the Ballard Boys visited the National Aquarium in the Inner Harbor of Baltimore! They Love watching the Fish and I think could sit at the Tank at the Entrance all Day!



William was always very helpful to point the Animals out for James!

The Dolphin Show
 The Aquarium has it's own indoor Dolphin show with about 6 dolphins.  They show you how the dolphins learn tricks and then the older ones demonstrate the tricks! Super nice and you could sit all day and watch the Dolphins swim around the tank if you wish.... Fabulous!!!

Ballard Boys Take Over Baltimore (Part 1)

The Ballard Boys started their trip to Baltimore at the B & O Railroad Museum to spend the Day Out with Thomas!!!  The Museum and Day Out with Thomas was so Fabulous!!! Tons of Real Trains to Explore and Electric Trains to watch! The Boys could have spent the Entire Day just exploring!


William watching the Model Trains go round!

The Boys Off to Explore!

BIG WHOO WHOO!!
James was in Utter Amazement the Whole Day! 

Monday, May 7, 2012

Green Stripe!!!!

A little late with the picture but William received his First Award in Taekwondo last week! He received a Green Stripe on his belt!!! YaY William!!!! As Many of you know, Taekwondo combines life skills with their Martial Arts Practice and for the Tiny Tigers those Life Skills begin with your Phone Number!  William repeated his phone number to Mr. Cirone along with three punches and a front kick to receive his FIRST STRIPE!!!  

He was So Proud! I couldn't hear what the boys and girls were saying but when I saw William look over afterward and give me a Big Two Thumbs Up, I knew He Got It!!! Now onto Stranger Danger for our Second Green Stripe...

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Our Taekwondo Kid!

William has begun Taekwondo or Kung Fu, depending on who you ask! He LOVES it 

William "standing like a Black Belt" (He's got that one down!)

A little One on One with Mr. Cirone and Mrs. Cirone

Protect your Head! 


And for your Viewing enjoyment...In Case you can't find him...William is the Only One still Protecting his Head, like they were told! HeeHee!!!