Outside Fun-Finally!!!

Thank you Lord Jesus we had a beautiful day!!!!  Sadly we have waterfront property if you consider the pond in our backyard but hey, the sun was shinning today!!!!  It was a little cool but we enjoyed a fun afternoon outside!!  As you might guess, Caroline dressed herself and yes that is a Christmas sweater she is wearing.  And yes, she thought she looked amazing!!  I keep telling myself that she is working on her creativity...I spent most of the day Saturday working on her clothes.  I put away winter and pulled down spring/summer.  While in the attic I also brought down her old car seat and base.  They supposedly expire in 5 years and so it was time to put it in the trash.  (which I think it so stinking wasteful...)  We she thought it would be a perfect carrier for bear.  She loves it and is still playing with it!!

Rodeo fun with Daddy

Caroline was so excited to head to the rodeo with Daddy, Uncle John and Tyler.  She couldn't wait to dress up in her cowboy attire!!  Too bad she had already outgrown her boots, so pink rainbows work just as well!!  They had a great time!!

 This cowboy/cowgirl duo look pretty tough...

Show and Share Letter C

Caroline was so excited for show and share letter C.  She couldn't wait for an excuse to take Clara to school.  It was raining outside and of course Clara has a rain coat and accessories as well!!!

Field Trip to the State Park

Last week Caroline's class visited a local state park.  Andy took a vacation day to enjoy the trip with her.  They both had a blast together!!  I was so proud of my hubby who actually took pictures on the field trip for me.  (Heck even Mrs. Baker asked for the pictures because he took so many!!)  They had a wonderful day together!!

 touching a baby alligator

 having fun with friends

Dessert with Uncle Dan

Uncle Dan was in town tonight for a meeting tomorrow morning.  So of course, we had to meet up with him for a little while.  We had church and he was getting into town late so we met for dessert after church.  Of course any kid loves going out for dessert at 8:00 at night...even better with Uncle Dan.  These two goofballs enjoyed popsicles from the ice cream truck...Uncle Dan didn't like the first one so he sent Caroline back again and again until they both liked what they had. :-)

Little Lam

We headed out to the farm last week to get some things ready for tour season.  Thankfully it was a day off from school and Caroline was able to go with me.  (poor kiddo missing being able to go with me now that she is in school 5 days a week!)  She loved the sweet little lambs and spent a good portion of her time petting them and letting them lick her fingers.  I am amazed at her love for animals...she isn't afraid of any of them, which also scares me a little too!

It's Wacky Wednesday on Sunday

Andy left something at home and needed us to run it over to him at church. Given that it's Sunday afternoon and we were in our PJ's, we weren't really dressed to head out. Knowing that it would only take a minute, I told Caroline "let's go." She said "We get to wear our PJ's??" I said "Yes" and she responded "Oh well I guess it's wacky Wednesday at our house on Sunday!" Remember Wacky Wednesday for School???

Celebrating all our Birthday's

Last year we decided to celebrate everyone's birthday with an oyster roast!  We had so much fun, we decided to do it again this year!!!!  The weather couldn't make up it's mind if it wanted to rain or not, but the kids didn't mind.  They had a blast playing outside with each other.  The adults plus Caroline enjoyed a bushel of oysters.  We also had crab balls and Low Country Boil.  However, after the crab balls and the oysters, I was DONE!  

Love this sweet boy!!!

So proud of my girl...she hung right there with us, shucking and eating oysters.

This kid just get cuter and cuter every time we are together.

"cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeze"

If only we knew what she was thinking...

Daniel, Bob and myself

Here, my brothers thought it would be a good idea to tickle me, poke me in my side and tell me to suck in.  Andy just happened to catch it all happening at once.  Oh how I love older brothers, some things in life never change!

Happy Birthday Jay

It's so hard to believe that Jay is 8 years old!!  Time flies!!  We celebrated our sweet boy with a party at the park.  Again, it was a gorgeous day to be outside!  Everyone had a great time!!

my nut

Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!!!

Soccer Saturday

It was another beautiful Saturday morning at Soccer!  Today was by far the prettiest day of the season!  Caroline is really enjoying soccer and playing so well!  So proud of her!!

And of course when you have a break in between plays, it's always a good idea to bring your momma a pretty flower you picked from the soccer field!!!

Great came to watch, Caroline was so excited!!!

Sparkly Green Earrings

Our pastor once said that his time was so limited in what he was able to read that he only read things that encouraged his walk with the Lord.  When I heard him make that statement several years ago I thought "Well thank the Lord I have plenty of time to read lots of stuff!!!!"  Well Caroline is older now and life is a little busier than it was then.  I still love to read but manage to only have time right before bed or when I am sitting in car line.  And like my pastor, I have found that I only have time to read things that encourage my walk with the Lord.  However, sometimes, I need a fun, easy read...

A week or so ago, I met my friends Amy and Vanessa for lunch.  As Amy was getting out of her car, she said "here, take this book and read it, it's hilarious!"  So I brought the book home and found that I couldn't put it down!  The title is "Sparkly Green Earrings" and it's by a mom Melanie Shankle.  In the book, she talks about the real life adventure of being a mom.  She is a bible believing momma who is trying to do the best she can to raise a Godly daughter.  I have loved every minute of the book.  There were many nights I would bust out laughing and Andy would look at me like I had lost my mind...a good belly laugh cures a tired, worn out momma!  Maybe I found some of her situations funny because I could SO relate!  Or maybe it had something to do with the fact that her daughter's name is Caroline too...

As she was finishing the book, she turned serious on us for about a page or two.  She said "Because raising a child is a fleeting moment in time that sometimes gets swallowed up in the daily routine of car pools and soccer practice and Can I get away with serving tacos for dinner again tonight?  And yet it's quite possible the most important thing we'll ever do.  It's the daily balance of treasuring the moments even as we wish some of them away.  It's treading water in a sea of imperfections.  It's a delicate dance of guilt and joy.  At times I've thought of how nice it would be if I could just protect my daughter forever-shield her from hurt feelings, a broken heart, dreams that may not come true.  But I realize all those things in my own life have been part of making me who I am today.  Had I been protected from all the unpleasant moments life can bring, I wouldn't have learned who I really am.  Caroline's character will have to be built and shaped by the joys and heartaches she will face over her lifetime.  I have to say it's a little frightening.  And a lot gut wrenching."  (pg. 212-213)

These words are powerful...so true and how I feel as a momma!!  I pray that as my Caroline get's older I will remember this.  What a blessing it is to be her momma!  Yes she drives me nuts and her emotions can be all over the place and she can be strong willed and very independent but she is mine!  The day the sweet nurse opened the doors to the labor and delivery room and placed my sweet girl in my arms, something began stirring in my heart.  This precious little girl made me a momma.  In the last 5 1/2 years I have learned a lot about life and myself through her eyes.  And while it is frustrating, I am so thankful God chose me and trusted me with this blessing!!!

Hello Spring!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We could not have ASKED for a better day to celebrate the first day of Spring!!!!!  We have had a rough winter for the south.  I am thankful we experience all four seasons but Spring just might be my favorite of all four.  Longer days, beautiful flowers blooming, warm days, cool nights, the list could go on and on!  We enjoyed the beautiful day with a fun bike ride.  I think I have found a new way to run with Caroline.  I use to run with her in the stroller until she was much too large to fit in it.  Now, I need to lace up my shoes and run along side her while she bikes...the kid is fast and it's a challenge to keep up with her!!

Hope you enjoyed the first day of spring as well!

Fashionista and Fun with Kate

 I have learned that some days it isn't worth the battle to "discuss" clothing options for the day.  Sometimes I say "you decide, but be ready in 5 minutes."  Then I pray that there is no condemnation in preschool.  Caroline found this cute shirt/dress in her closet.  It's hard to tell but the center of the shirt is rhinestones.  Of course every 5 year old things the more blingish something is, the better.  I convinced her to put on some leggings with her dress and then she decided the rest.  Sparkle black shoes, dog tag necklace from Wilson's birthday party and a head band for the wiggie hair that didn't need any spray to calm down.  Oh the joy of raising a little girl who knows all about style, I LOVE it!!

 Later in the day, we picked up her friend Kate from school.  The girls had a great time destroying her room playing together.  They played with dolls, dress up, built forts, you name it, they did it.  I did manage to tear them away from all the fun to help me make some chocolate chip cookies for Caroline's teachers/school friends.  We thought it would be fun to celebrate the first day of spring with a sweet treat.  I was lucky to have to beautiful, willing assistants.

Jack and the Beanstalk

Our local theater has a group that preforms about 3 shows a year for little kids.  The plays are very inexpensive and cater to school groups 2 or 3 days and then opens to the public on Saturday and Sunday.  The latest play at the theater was "Jack and the Beanstalk."  Caroline and I went with her class and had a wonderful time!!  It was a great production!!  Afterwards we were able to grab some pictures with the cast.  (I took these with my phone and forgot to post them...so I am playing catch up.)

The chicken who lays the golden egg

 Jack's cow Bessie

 Jack

Daddy Daughter Date

I wasn't the only one who had plans this past Saturday night...Caroline and daddy did too.  She always looks forward to these dates and they always have so much fun.   (well maybe not always-there were a few father/daughter dances that didn't go so well...)  Anyway she was thrilled to get to wear her purple dress, purple necklace and purple hair bow.  I did draw the line when she asked to wear her purple jacket.  She also thinks its so much fun to keep the date details "a secret" until after the date.  So thankful for the fun memories these two are making.

Soccer Saturday

 We had an absolutely beautiful day for a soccer game this past Saturday.  Caroline played without having Andy on the sidelines but she wasn't too interested in actually kicking the ball.  She ran with the team and followed the ball but just didn't see the need to actually be aggressive!!  She is a hoot!

 Pop came to see her play and she was so excited!!!!  The first game he came to, she didn't exactly play...

Wilson's 7th Birthday

 Friday night we got to celebrate Major General Wilson!  So very thankful this year he is doing so much better than he was this time last year!!  We had a great time!!! Caroline loved wearing CAMO and thought she was just as tough as the boys!

I never get tire of her sweet, sweet smile!

 obstacle course

 if you look closely one of these things is not like the other...only one curly haired little girl

 tug of war may have provided the MOST fun all evening...not sure who had more fun, the little kids or my brother the big kid!!

 happy 7th birthday sweet boy!!!  we love you!