Athens, Georgia: My Birthday with the McCrearys!

My Virginia cousin emailed me at the end of April saying her family was coming to South Carolina for her husband's work.  She wanted to know if we were available for a play date and sadly it is not very often those happen because of distance.  We met them in the middle at Athens, Georgia on the only day which worked for both our schedules.  The day happened to be my birthday, but what better way to spend your birthday than with family!  My cousin Nickie has two boys Jack and Eli, ages seven and five respectively, so all four boys always play quite well together.

Athens is home to the University of Georgia, so I was pretty close to wearing my favorite Gators t-shirt that day. (Hardy har har!)  Instead, my gracious in-laws saved me from possible torture by sending some summer appropriate clothes for my birthday.  The University of Georgia has a small, free zoo that we found online perfect for our play date.  The boys all had a great time together animal watching while my cousin and I swapped stories of motherhood.  It was such a great way to spend my birthday!

See there were other gators in Athens.
 

Nickie and Gavin checking out a few animals.
 

Gavin and Eli, the two 5 year olds.
 

Jack, Eli, Gavin, and Logan who was telling us to be quiet in the bird sanctuary.
 

Much to Logan's happiness, this little zoo had bears.
 

Jack playing paparazzi.
 

Playing at the park after fun at the zoo!  I particularly love Logan's embrace with his brother.
 

I love their faces when I ask them to smile.
 

The whole gang including the birthday girl before we said our good-byes!