Spontaneous Train Ride, Sand Box Fun and a Sleepover

Today was one of those days where you have no agenda and then you find yourself gone all day on an adventure. Love those days! The kiddies and I got up, showered, put on presentable attire and headed to the post office. An exciting life we live... I know :)  While on the way there I got a call that my parents were going downtown (Charlotte) to hug my sister and have lunch.... so I invited myself and the kids to join. My sister moved to NYC (tear) and is in Charlotte working on a project for the Democratic National Convention. While I'm not a fan of the DNC shutting down the roads and making traffic a total nightmare (or the candidate causing this mess for that matter), the city looks AMAZING! So thanks for the millions of dollars, Mr. Obama!

 

My sister is doing a great job! Everything looks SO cool and I'm really proud of her! I sure wish she'd fall back in love with Charlotte and never go back to NYC! Charlotte really is a BEAUTIFUL, clean, fun city! I wish we had planned this outing in advance because I just love all of the wonderful photo opportunities downtown. If you've never been to Charlotte, is a GREAT place to go! We parked at my sister's old apartment complex and road the train into the heart of the city. Parker thought is was awesome and was totally content to just do that all day.

Parker and I on the train.

Avery didn't share Parker's enthusiasm for the train!

In awe!

 

Avery fell asleep in the stroller after a yummy lunch at 7th street Market

 We ate lunch and then walked to the space where my sister is working on a production for a big client (I can't say who... so secretive!) It was really neat to go inside and see the fruits of her labor. On the way back to our car, Parker suggested that he go to nana's house to swim with ducks. Nana is a sucker for Parker and agreed so my parents took Parker back to their house for the night. Miss. Avery and I visited a few stores then headed home.

Starbucks was our 1st stop!

My mom sent me this picture of Parker fulfilling his goal of swimming with ducks

Meanwhile. Avery, the sand monster, and I played in our backyard.

She's become SO strong! I took this video of her climbing the swing set. Please excuse my high pitched "mommy voice." I find talking on camera to be so awkward for some reason!

Double the Sweetness Play Date

This morning we had the pleasure of having my sweet friend, Meredith and her 8 month old twins over to play. Oh my, is she super woman! Its so fun to see these precious babies I prayed for through pregnancy and their NICU stay now THRIVING.... like super thriving.... 27ish pounds thriving. They are adorable and I have to admit that Grayson stole my heart! He let me hold him and was happy which most 8 month old babies don't let you do. I also loved that our heads were about the same size. He is going to be one handsome fella! Miss. Kennedy was content and quiet, taking it all in. I am envious of her earrings. I kinda wish I'd pierced Avie's ears.... they're SO cute on her!

Meredith brought the twin's exersaucer... and Avery played in it instead. Look at their sizes.... Kennedy (8 months) and Avery (almost 16 months). I told you Avie is a peanut!

Little man enjoyed chillin' in the cozy coupe.

Little Miss showing off.

Avery entertaining Grayson

Meredith and Grayson

Side by side.... you can really tell how much they look a like in this picture!

Avery rocking Kennedy

I really enjoyed reconnecting with Meredith one on one and playing with her sweet babies! I look forward to our next play date!

Weekend Recap - Sun and Son

What a wonderful weekend?! Did you have as glorious of weather as we did here in Charlotte, NC?! I sure hope so! Friday we enjoyed an afternoon play date with our neighbor friends, had a casual dinner and Daniel and I snuggled on the couch with a movie. That night, I literally dreamed ALL NIGHT that I was fighting an alien invasion... when I woke up I physically hurt. I think my muscles and mind were clinched fighting aliens all night... no worries... I won... the world is safe... you're welcome. Fighting aliens is exhausting so Daniel let me sleep in.

Once I woke up more rested, we all headed outside and enslaved our children to wash our cars. In reality, they just wash our bumpers over and over and think its awesome. Parker will literally wash my car for HOURS! Once Avery went down for a nap, I clipped the monitor to my shorts and started working. Daniel did some yard work and I pulled everything out of the garage to reorganize. While everything was out, Daniel pressure washed the garage, driveway, patio etc while I mowed the lawn. I've only mowed the lawn twice...ever... it was really empowering and totally instant gratification! Don't tell Daniel I liked it.

That evening, we headed to church at Elevation. Didn't they look cute!?!

Saturday night, Daniel went to poker with his neighborhood guy friends and I went to bed early watched 48 hours mystery in bed. Avery was up 3 times Saturday night and was up for the day at 6.... I wish I HAD gone to bed early! BUT we had a fun day planned.... first up, SPIRIT WEAR! It's a Panther game day and you know I'm all about spirit wear!

I forgot Avery's Panther hair bow! Bad mommy!

Nana and Parker sliding

We went to my parents house for a yummy lunch on the patio, fun at the park and an afternoon on the lake. The weather was perfection! No humidity, slight breeze, lots of sunshine.... amazing.

Parker and Daniel tubing

Parker LOVES going in the air. My little water daredevil!

Daniel took a turn by himself and took a nice little skip across the water.

Captain Chris... my wonderful dad!

Check who tubed for the 1st time!

She didn't love it but didn't hate it. She was content and calm, taking it all in.

Parker waiving to Avery

Duck patrol!

As you may know if you're a regular reader, Avery has never been on the boat without falling asleep... and I take a picture... EVERY TIME

A little iPhone self photography at the end of the day since I forgot to include myself in the official pictures of the day!

Even Parker was worn out after lots of tubing!

After the lake, the kids jumped on the trampoline then we ate dinner and headed home. Surprisingly, Parker fell asleep in the car but Avery made it all the way home before crashing! Fingers crossed the kids sleep well tonight and I don't try to save the world from aliens.... 

A weekend for the books! I sure hope we have another weekend like this before the boat has to be winterized and we work our schedules around football!

Preschool Orientation - Picture Over Load!

Tonight we went to Parker's preschool orientation and we're so very pleased with his teacher, room and classmates. Despite being bummed that best buddy, Max, isn't in his class, about 6 of the 10 kids in Parker's class were in his class last year so he felt very comfortable. He walked right in and started correctly stacking tangrams with the right shapes and colors... and then he saw the kitchen set and the educational play was over. He also found a bucket of animals that included a giraffe, rhino and zebra so he's set. 

Parker was a bit shy when he first met Ms. Monica

Avery was rocking her "back to school outfit".. just because she isn't going to school doesn't mean she doesn't need a dress to take Parker, right?!

Warming up over tangrams

Avery has always loved her daddy but she has recently become quite attached to him. I love the sweet look on her face in this picture!

Stacking the shapes and colors correctly! WOO HOO! Go Parkerman!

Ms. Monica welcoming her new students

Love the little apples on the door!

Ms. Monica explained the behavior chart and as we were leaving I noticed this.... come to find out, Daniel did it! Sneaky!

Afterwards, Avery the kids were being smiley so I couldn't help myself.... (beware of scrolling down.... picture overload of basically the same photo over and over).....

I could eat her up... and those precious apples on her dress... LOVE IT!

When I said "the kids"... I really meant "Avery".... Parker is still anti smiling for pictures.

"Parker, I'll give you ice cream if you smile".... Oh Avie... she kills me!

Sweet boy... the best shots are action shots!

Framer!

So in awe of life.... and the things I'm willing to put on my head for a picture of her looking at the camera!

Love bug!

I can't stop posting pictures of her!

She did this pose herself... oh very Olan Mills of you, Avery.

And what's a picture overload post without some out takes?

Parker's arm reaching for my camera because he wanted to take the pictures instead of be in them

Still trying to get my camera....

Bless her heart....

Thanks for bearing with me through 90 gazillion pictures of my kids. I love each and EVERY picture... but I'm their mama and I'm biased! We can't wait for school to start September 4th! It was almost a tease having orientation 10 days before the 1st day!