First Beach adventure of the season

You forget how much fun the beach is until you return for the beginning of beach season! This was Tripp's first time to the beach and he really enjoyed it! He was not sure what to think of the sand at first but once he sunk his toes, it was love at first sight! Juliette had a wonderful time! She jumped from making sand castles to running all the way down to the water and jumping right on in. She equally loved the picnic we packed as much as she did the water!

We'll be back Sullivan's Island for many more adventures this summer!

Juliette loves making some sand castles!

What would the beach be without watermelon?

Me and my bucket...

Mommy and her babies!

Some fun videos I wanted to share - hope you enjoy!

Last day of 4K

Manner's Month - Having good manners at school

Manner's Month - how to sit like a lady

Tripp and his favorite and only word that he loves to talk about - "up"

Tripp babbling on his first boat ride in his swing

Warmer weather moves the evenings to outdoors...

We could not help but get out and enjoy the beautiful evening outside! The kids love to play outside and Tripp has to be forced to go indoors as he loves outside so much. It is amazing to watch the kids grow each day! Tripp seems like he gets bigger and bigger each day. He is still a "baldie" though so that keeps him looking like a baby - he can stay a "baldie" for a long time as far as I am concerned!

The "budding artist"- who knew how creative the outdoors made ya feel?

This guy is on the move... up the drive, down the drive and all around!

The artist and the driver...

Taking a minute to stop and enjoy the smelling roses and confederate jasmine on a gorgeous evening!

I snapped a picture of this oak in our yard - so majestic and old!

picture perfect lowcountry kind of evening...

The "future budding artist"

Tripp is unphased by all of his Sissy's pink toys...

"Not so fast there Buddy, I still love to ride on her..."

The last day of 4K

The day has finally come! We have a 4K graduate. The year has gone entirely too fast but wow what a phenomenal year of growth Juliette has had. It has been such a great year I could not have asked for anything different or better. Mrs. Kraft and Ms. Hailey were the absolute best and for that I am SO thankful. Mrs. Kraft will not be back next year so I have been a bit sad and teary eyed when I see her as we have just loved her and Tripp will not be able to have her. 

From Juliette's letters, artwork, to her vocabulary, the growth has just been wonderful! It was just yesterday that I felt like I brought her to her first day of 4K at the big school and now the end has come. As Juliette always says when I tell her please don't grow! Just stay my baby. She always tells me, "Mommy I have to grow and go to kindergarten but I will always be your baby!"

Last day of 4K

First day of 4K - August 2012

Wildlife...

I love spring! We have so much wildlife in our yard. It is as if the whole yard comes alive! So far this Spring, we have had a brood of bluebirds in the box, a Carolina wren has set up shop right next to our front door in the planter and four babies have hatched in that nest and now the latest are two broods of wood ducks in the wood duck boxes. I feel like we live right in the middle of a sanctuary!

I got some pictures of the wood ducks early this morning. They are so beautiful as they sit on top of the boxes... usually when the tide is high in the early morning hours.

the beautiful male

the female

Someone loves washing and drying clothes!

The first boating and fishing excursion of the season!

What an exciting afternoon it was today! Tripp had his first boating adventure ever! My girlfriend had told me about the baby sea rocker and we got one. Boy, did he love it! He swung in it the whole time we fished as long as we were behind him and he oculd not see us. Every time we would try to fish at the front he would begin to pitch a fit. So to make him happy, Juliette, Don and me all hung out and enjoyed the back of the boat!

Juliette learned how to cast the rod today. I could not exaggerate as I myself was shocked. She did an amazing job and really has become self sufficient with the fishing rod.

Not quiet sure what this is all about... 

Relaxing and enjoying his swinging in the breeze with no one in front to disturb his view!

A visit with Mr. and Mrs. Collins

Two of my favorite family friends were in town this weekend for Sculpture in the South in Summerville. They were our neighbors growing up in Ashborough and were like family to us! What a wonderful visit it was indeed... it is at those times that you realize years go by without seeing someone and yet at the same time when you see them it is as if you just saw them yesterday. 

Juliette and Tripp with Mr. and Mrs. Collin's

My brother Danny with the Collin's!

A bridal shower for Ms. Hailey!

Ms. Hailey one of Juliette's teachers is getting married at the end of June so what would a special 4K class do?? Throw a shower! It was such a special morning and Ms. Hailey knew that there was going to be something going on but had no idea the specifics of anything. It was just wonderful!

We stopped by to find something extra special for Ms. Hailey!

The children were so excited for her to enter the classroom and immediately started to sing all of their homemade songs they had created for Ms. Hailey!

Juliette helping Ms. Hailey open the extra special present from Tessa - a quilt that Tessa made just for Ms. Hailey!

The children all decided what they thought Ms. Hailey would love to have and they decided china. Each of the children with Mrs. Kraft made real china. The plates were gorgeous and a work of art from each child. Here is Juliette holding her plate for Ms. Hailey. Can you tell Juliette LOVES to make hearts? I think it is most fitting for the upcoming occasion!

Anthony's Mommy made this beautiful cupcake bouquet to represent the hydrangea's in Hailey's bouquet for her wedding. Each of those are individual decorated and frosted cupcakes that she made. 

This was from the beginning of the year but so precious. This was Mrs. Kraft's birthday present. Each of the children were shaped like a letter. The bottom row is each of the children blowing kisses to Mrs. Kraft!

Precious.... here is why each little friend of Juliette's in her class thinks she is special!

Who is excited Belk department store turned 125??

A Mommy's most special celebration!

Until I became a Mother, I had no idea the fulfillment that children could bring to your life. My two children are one of God's greatest gifts to me. I am SO thankful for them and realize the awesome responsibility of raising them to be happy and confident!

With that said my weekend began with a special "Mommy and Me tea" in Juliette's class. It is amazing how overcome with emotion I can become with these special moments with her.

Mommy and me the morning of my special day!

Juliette planting very carefully her flower invitation of Mommy and her name to the tea

The welcoming wreaths on the door

The table set beautifully with special treats for the children and the Mommies!

The the wonderful singing began! What a treat indeed to watch circle time and hear all of the wonderful songs to Mommy that the children had been working so hard on.

Look at the treat they made each of us the day before - some mud pie with a gummy worm on top! It had pudding, whipped cream and orea bites and was SO yummy! Juliette was proud of her creation.

We then played the "Mystery Mommy" game. Mrs interviewed the children and we had to identify ourselves... it was hilarious! Her number one thing about me is that I like steak... now we all know how true that is and how well she really knows me! See below for all the things that Mommy loves... I also received the bonnet at the same time that Juliette had made for me with flowers on top.

Juliette made several other beautiful gifts for me and they were wrapped beautifully and she presented them to me! Yes, I did get teary!

She made me a sun, a picture of Mommy and a placemat where she lets everyone know that besides steak Mommy's favorite food is a ham and cheese sandwich and beer... now how is that for an honest child!

Juliette and Mrs. Kraft holding the suitcase that Juliette made me to take all of my goodies home in. Oh how much we are going to miss 4-k and Mrs. Kraft and Ms. Hailey! Less than two more weeks of school and Mommy is getting very sad that it could possibly already be over!

Juliette and her best friend Marielle! Are they precious or what??

This is the rocking chair that they have been decorating all year! Precious Carter decided to join the picture as well!

My Mother's day weekend ended with a fabulous picnic in the backyard! We had a picnic for lunch and then went right back out for dinner and had another one! It was the most gorgeous day and I could not have asked for a more special Mother's day

AND... lastly to my wonderful Mom! Thank you for being you and the best Mother a girl could ever ask for! It has been an absolute pleasure being your daughter and I enjoy every minute of our time together!