In the presence of the rich and famous

My little sis spent Saturday night mingling backstage with Jason Aldean

Well, probably more like a few minutes, but I'm still jealous.

More importantly...

Guess what she had him sign?

Of course!

Weeee!

It's hard work lifting 30 lbs. +

Dinner with the Kendall's

We've had a busy week with something going on every evening.  Last night, newlyweds Adam and Ashley came over for dinner.  It was fun to catch up with them and hear all about their recent wedding.

 Ashley brought dessert, which Parker loved!

 

 

Thanks for coming over guys!

Big Boy Book Bag

Parker has been in need of a new school bag for a while now to carry around his important stuff...you know, things like his blankie, pacifier, juice cups and a change of shoes on water play day. 

Several of his friends at school have recently began to carry their own bags.  I recently found a great deal on a discontinued pattern at Pottery Barn Kids and it came in the mail yesterday.  Parker is so excited about his new big boy book bag!

When did my baby become such a big boy???

Simple Joys of Summer

Nothing like a cold popsicle to cool you off on a hot summer evening!

Pomp and Circumstance

Although Laura doesn't graduate until next week, we spent Saturday night celebrating with the "soon-to-be" graduate.  We're so proud of her!

The Three Stooges

Introducing...

Moe

Larry

and...

Curly :)

Block Party

Our neighborhood had it's annual Block Party last night to kick-off summer.  There was so much to do!  We loaded up the kids and walked to the town center where we enjoyed cold drinks, live music and good food!  The little ones had a great time running around. 
 

New Favorite

Check out this blog if you have a few minutes: Smashed Peas and Carrots.  Such crafty and fun projects and a lot of toddler-friendly ideas.

What a fun idea for Mother's Day!

Hot Hot Hot

It was a hot weekend in South Carolina - especially hot when your AC unit quits working.  We made the best of it and someone is coming out to look at it within the next day or so.


On Saturday, Parker and I spent the whole day having fun (Daddy was busy with work).  Parker is so much fun these days - I enjoy our days of doing nothing!  He's developing into his own little person and it is amazing to watch him grow and discover things.  We got the grocery shopping out of the way Saturday morning and went home and played in the sprinklers!  We even got to talk to Pops on Skype!  On Saturday night, some friends came over and suffered through the stifling heat with us hung out for a while.  Parker slept well after a day of hard playing. 

After church on Sunday, we went to the church's Spring Fest.  There were games, rides and most importantly ice cream.  I snapped several pictures, but then realized I didn't have a memory stick in my camera.  This was all I came out with.

In other news, Parker is beginning to talk up a storm.  He recently learned out to say Laura (although it sounds more like Wauwa), Pops, truck, car, yes and this.  I'll try to get a video up soon :)

It looks like it is going to be another busy week.  Hopefully we can get the AC fixed quickly.  Tonight we're making homemade BBQ chicken pizza!  I'll let you know how it turns out.

Stay cool!

Worth Watching

Someone recently shared this video with me.  It is definitely worth watching, but make sure you have some
tissues nearby!

It is a short segment from author Katrina Kenison's memoir: The Gift of an Ordinary Day.

The video got me thinking.  I am guilty of always rushing to the next thing in life.  Whether it is wishing away the week to get to the weekend or trying to meet some sort of deadline.  I need to learn to live in the moment and not rush life so much.  Parker is only 15 months old, but those 15 months have flown by!  It seems like just yesterday that we were bringing him home from the hospital.  (Now I know why people always used to tell me that).

Last night after dinner, instead of cleaning the dishes and picking up toys, Parker and I went upstairs and
read a book.  I watched him while he smiled and laughed as we turned the pages.  There were plenty of other
things I could have been doing at that time - cleaning up for our weekend guests, dusting off the dining room
table before we have company over tonight or putting away the recently folded clothes.  I decided that all
that could wait and I'm glad I did.  I quickly have realized that it won't be long before he doesn't want to
sit on my lap and read.

Grandmomma, my dad's mom, always had a sign hanging in her kitchen which read: A clean house is a sign of a misspent life!  I feel like that is a great way to live life - although I know it is harder said than done.  If I spend all my time doing things that I feel like have to be done, I will miss out on special moments that I can't get back.

Here is another poem I enjoy:

"If I had my child to raise all over again,
I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I'd finger-paint more, and point the finger less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging and less tugging."

                                                         

                                                                                                     - Diane Loomans

On another note, I'm in the middle of this book right now.  It's one of those that is hard to put down.

Any other recommendations?  I would love to hear them.  I'm always ready for a good book!

Happy Anniversary to me!

Blogging anniversary, that is.  I can't believe that I have been blogging for a year already.  Where does the time go?  I look forward to another year of sharing our family's memories with you!

Congratulations (again) to Aunt Laura

You might remember back in December when I blogged about Laura and her acceptance to North Carolina State.  Well, we were very excited for her and figured we would be taking some road trips to Raleigh to visit her throughout the school year.

But now, I'm excited to say:

She's going to be a Gamecock!  We're excited that she will be a little closer to us!

Laura - get ready for some of the best years of your life!

Up and

Down!