Favorite Photos

 A blog I follow, Kellys Korner is doing a link up of favorite pictures. Most of these have been on the blog before but I figured it would be fun to compile some of my favorite pictures on one post. It was too hard to pick.... I have about 400 favorites but here are a few highlights:

Avery's 1st Birthday Cake Smash Photos. The look on her face is PRICELESS!

Parker in  the sunflower fields

Get a room, right? Hilton head Island 2011

Daniel and Parker playing on the beach in Hilton Head

From Avery's Newborn Photoshoot. I used this picture as her birth announcement.

This was from Parker's preschool orientation. I just think she looks so precious!

Also from the sunflower fields

All of these photos except the one of Avery in the apple smocked dress were taken by Alicia Sutton Photography. I love having pretty, professional pictures framed or printed on canvas around the house! I REALLY regret not having professional photos done of Parker. It wasn't as popular to do back then and we were just so excited to have him home from the NICU. He was our little fragile preemie and I just couldn't imagine stripping him naked and bending him in half but now I SO wish I had! They are some of my favorite photos of Avery! Avery is a great poser. She's happy to smile and stand still for a photo but Parker is our "action shot child." I'm trying to learn to be better about setting our photoshoots up for success with less structure and more candid shots.

I've really enjoyed getting other photography ideas by looking through other people's submissions on Kelly's Korner. I'm already getting spring family photos fever!!!!

Dear Letters

After this post you're probably going to think I'm a complete whackado (if you don't already) .

Confession: Sometimes, I write letters in my mind and I find it extremely therapeutic. Remember in church camp where you write something on a paper that weighs heavily on you and then the pastor burns it or nails it to the cross? Basically, it was an exercise to symbolize giving your burdens to Jesus and setting yourself free. Well, letters in my mind that I never actually write (because who has that kind of time?!) or send (because I would DIE if these people knew I felt this way) is my way of addressing the issue and moving on. I also compose mental thank you notes which I should really get better about actually penning.

Am I the only one who does this? Probably so. Since it's already out there and you already think I'm nuts, I figured I'd compile a list of "Dears" for your reading pleasure. I'd LOVE for you to add your own in the comments section!
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Dear Old Navy,
Thank you for your selection of embroidered shorts and capri pants this season. I especially like the anchors and the 5 inch length but why didn't you make matching shirts?! There is not a single shirt in your store that matches any of your anchor, seahorse or lobster embroidered bottoms. Not even solid shirts. This new, "not matching is the new matching" is NOT cute... on anyone.

Thanks in advance for making cute matching shirts and sending me one for free and a coupon for bringing this oversight to your attention.

Taylor Wise
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Dear Mr. Toyota Camry,
Do you see that temporary tag on my minivan? It means it's new which is why I parked in east nowhere. There were 6 other spots closer to the store that you could have chosen. That temp tag gives me a 2 car space bumper. I thought this was common knowledge but I was clearly mistaken.

Taylor Wise
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Dear 7:30pm,
You take forever to get here and yet I still love you. My children don't share my affection for you.

Taylor Wise
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Dear Priority Honda,
You suck. Except for Jason.... Your customer service is SO awful that I have no idea how you're still in business.

Taylor Wise
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Dear everyone who told me LASIK eye surgery was the best thing I'd ever do,
You're all liars. I much prefer going to the dentist and we all know where that ranks on my list of loves/hates.

Taylor Wise
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Dear Avery,
It is a daily struggle to keep you alive. PLEASE quit climbing stuff. You are going to put me in an early grave.... or at the very least, break your arm.

MOM
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 Dear Parker,
Would it really kill you to eat a vegetable other than peas?

MOM
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Got the idea? There are my "Dear letters." Sadly, those are only the ones from today. Maybe the lack of adult human contact as a stay at home mom is starting to take its toll on my mental sanity. I should probably schedule a girl's night ASAP. Wanna play along? Comment below or on facebook.

Grass Sledding, Ice Cream and Hair SOS.... not a random post at all

I set today aside to give the bathrooms a good deep clean and to scrub the kitchen floor. It's almost 9pm and I assure you neither of those chores are done but we did have a pretty fun day which included not an ounce of cleaning solution!

Thomas is now dead to us... we're back on the Toy Story band wagon in case you're keeping tabs

The kids and I headed up north, picked my mom up and headed to Davidson. If you've never been to Davidson, you MUST go! It's the CUTEST little town with whimsical shops, precious parks and a beautiful college. The kids loved the playground then we strolled to the HUGE sandbox! Daniel is on the long term planning committee for our neighborhood and I've already begged him to bring one of these up at the next meeting! The concept is that there is a fenced in area, a gigantic sandbox, shade, picnic tables and lots of fun sand and riding toys for the kids to share so you don't have to bring your own. Parker and Avery had a blast!

PCC we NEED one of these!

I felt like the WORST mother EVER when I didn't take my kids out in the snow the other day but I made up for it today with grass sledding which is much warmer and less messy. Score one for mom... or really nana because it was her idea.

LOVE those little faces! 

After the park, we headed to Birkdale for some TCBY....followed by Kilwins because who can resist the caramel apples when you see the chocolatier taking them out of the vat of hot, delicious smelling caramel?!

Double fisting ice cream. A girl after my own heart!

Woody needed some ice cream too!

Afterward binging on ice cream, fudge and caramel apples, we went back to my parent's house to play. Avery felt the weight of all the junk food and clearly needed to burn it off. Burn baby burn! 

If only exercising were actually as easy as sitting on the handle bars while someone else does the work!

Parker crashed in the car and transferred to bed easily so here's hoping he sleeps all night! Miss. A was also pretty tuckered out so this mama is hoping for a good LOOONNG night's sleep! 

So here's the advice part. My mom made it quite clear.... multiple times.... that Avery's hair made her look like an orangutan (in love of course). The problem is that she doesn't have much hair and it's REALLY fine. To add insult to injury, last night Parker poured an entire bottle (no lie) of head and shoulders on her head when they were in the shower and this morning it was dry, crinkled and brittle. WHAT DO I DO WITH THIS CHILD'S HAIR?! Seriously. I need help. What do I do to make it grow, thicken up and uncrinkle?

No, it wasn't windy. Her hair really looks that way after her latest shampoo job. HELP!

 Side note: When Avery screamed because her eye balls were getting a dandruff treatment, I jumped in the shower fully clothed and held her up to the faucet and water boarded her. Poor thing may never shower again. Mommy is sorry for torturing you. Please don't be the stinky kid.

Remission Party Pictures

I got the pictures back from my remission party so I thought I'd share some with you. I feel so blessed to have all of these wonderful people in my life! 

Group shot!

My mom was in charge of the cake and she did a great job having it match my plates! I have a slight obsession with paisley.

 Holden Memories photography set up a fun photobooth! Here are some of my favorite shots:

Neighborhood friends!

Dean and Tabitha!

My Clemson friends (minus a few who couldn't make it)

Friends since 2003!

David and Ronnie 4 life

My silly mom and dad!!

David and Amber, Daniel and I, Brandi and Ronnie.... PROM POSE!

Daniel and I and my mom and dad! :)

Tabitha and I. Sadly one of the only pictures we have together!

The BUNCO ladies!

The Poker Pals!

My old neighborhood ladies!

What a fun night! I really appreciate everyone who came to celebrate with me! Even though only my Clemson friends, my family and Dean and Tabitha actually knew me during my cancer, it was so fun to celebrate 5 years cancer free with my friends old and new! 

Just these 2

I got the BEST Valentine's present today. It wasn't from Daniel... the king of romance didn't so much as get me a card but I expected such. He set a precedent our 1st year of marriage that Valentine's Day was NOT a holiday and he has stuck to his guns! I get him a card every year and every year he begs me not to. At this point, it's because a joke because I promise him I won't and then he always feels bad when he doesn't have anything to give me. It's cool though because it takes the pressure off me to make a special dinner and get up early to drive to Krispy Kreme with the rest of the good wives.

Back to my present.... the kids... my PRECIOUS kids didn't fight today. Sadly, at this stage of life, that is a present. As is a full night's sleep. Both of which I received last night/today and it was glorious. I'm scared to throw this out there for fear of backlash... but Avery's sleeps through the night now! Praise God from who all blessings flow... it's a miracle. Due to my new refreshing sleep, my patience today was pretty darn high today. I wonder if they're smart enough yet to see the coorelation?!

We started the day getting ready for school which only included 1 meltdown but was quickly resolved with the promise of powdered doughnuts for breakfast. Nothing says "Happy Valentine's Day" like sweet 16's.

Avery and I joined Parker at school for his Valentine's Day celebration. I let Parker cheat his diet today since it seemed pretty cruel to watch all the other kids eat pink frosted cookies while he ate blueberries. You would have thought I've never fed the poor kid. He shoveled food in his mouth and was begging for other kid's scraps.

After school, Parker made it about 20 minutes in clothes before having to "be Buzz" so off to his room he went to get his PJs. He came back with Avery's Jessie PJs which was PRECIOUS and a t-shirt for me to wear my jammies. I'm "Andy's mom." The funny thing is... the shirt he grabbed happened to be on top and was gifted to me at my remission party by the most thoughtful neighbor. It says "Cancer picked the wrong B*TCH!" Thank God Parker can't read.... unfortunately, I think the UPS man can. I doubt Andy's mom would rock this shirt. She seems like she would stick to Cato.

While doing chores, I lost sight of Avery and found her under the trampoline hoarding cookies... 10 to be exact. Doesn't it look like she's saying "I have a serious case of PMS... leave the chocolate frosted cookies and I ALONE!"

After her sugar high, she crashed HARD. Mommy fail.

It's bath time and here's where things got CUUTTTEEE. Parker declared "SHOWER TIME!" (everything is ___-time" with him. ie: jammie time, pee pee time etc) so into the shower they went. After a while I heard Parker sing a song they sing in school to learn identity and awareness of colors, etc... "What are you wearing? what are you wearing? What are you wearing today? If you're wearing a pee pee stand up and get out of the shower!" I just about died. I assure you they don't fill in the "if you're wearing" part with privates but hey... he wasn't wearing anything. He sang it again for Avery and interchanged her lady parts. Sometimes having toddlers makes me want to attach "Free to good home" signs on them and take them to Petsmart but these moments make me want to reverse Daniel's vasectomy. BUT then it got cuter...

We read stories in the guest room where Parker currently sleeps because and I repeat "big boys sleep in big beds." Clearly a twin bunk bed is no longer appropriate for a 3 year old. So last year. When it was time to go to bed, they both said their prayers, kissed and laid down next to each other. (which I made them recreate for pictures as any good mom would). I figured since we're traveling a lot this April-summer that they might as well get used to sleeping together to make hotel room stays easier so they did! Avery cried once and Parker hugged her and told her "lay down sissy. It's night night time." OH be still my heart.

Parker wasn't so into the reenactment. Drama club probably isn't going to be his forte. Miss Avery on the other hand has drama in her bones.

After a few minutes, Avery got out of bed and went to her room and Parker followed. They're currently fast asleep together in a pink polka and paisley twin bed. Quiet uterus.

There are days I feel more like a referee than a mom but today (overall) was one of those mommy days where you say "I could do this again!" ...BUT tomorrow they'll be awful because I won't feed them powdered doughnuts for breakfast and frosted cookies for lunch and I'll be so thankful to have "just these 2!"... but a wonderful 2 they are! :)

The Fairy House Festival

On Saturday we took my new rockin' minivan into the shop to have the DVD players installed. Thankfully, my mom rescued us from hours at Freedman's Stereo with the kids and took us to Latta Plantation for the Fairy House Festival. Apparently the rest of the Lake Norman community with a girl also thought this would be a good idea because it was PACKED with way more people than there was things to do. I can't blame them, it was a beautiful day and an excuse to wear fairy wings so I was definitely game.

Walking the trails

My pretty mama and Parkerman

 Kids... and by kids I mean over-eager fathers... built the cutest little fairy houses in the woods off the walking trail paths. You could tell the ones that 8 year old girls did and which ones 38 year old contractor fathers did... complete with crown molding and a picket fence. (you think I'm kidding). My kids took their fairy house supplies (sticks) and threw them into the lake because making splashes in freezing water is clearly way more fun.

SO close to falling in!

Throwing sticks in the lake

We didn't stay in line for pony rides or face painting but if the kids had asked to, we would have. In a few years, I think Avery will really enjoy this little festival. Since fairies aren't really the epitome of manliness, we dressed Parker in the next closest thing to a male fairyish thing... Buzz Lightyear which still scored him a free grab bag of.... pamphlets and a mini rubrics cube. Overall, we really enjoyed being outside and people watching.... especially the lady in full fairy attire and 6 inch heels with no children, walking around seductively on the prowl for a male fairy to call her very own. I think she missed her mark on the demographic but it made for a good chuckle. But in all seriousness, what's cuter than little girl's in tutus and fairy wings.... not much so the festival was pretty darn cute.

Apparently she was ready for a snack!

Excited to see the birds at the raptor center!

It was only appropriate to wear an owl shirt to the raptor center! I am "that mom" who dresses her children for occasions.

Avery thinks the owls are kinda boring.

Nothing a little slide action can't fix!

 After the festival, Daniel wanted to redeem he and Parker's man-cards so we went to the raptor center to see the birds. It was pretty cool and a standard field trip back when I was a kid. It's always fun to take your ids to places you went as a child! Making memories!!! :)

Sparkly Green Earrings

I read a book. That in an of itself is facebook status worthy but more importantly, I read a book in a day and LOVED it! Enough so that I passed it 2 doors down to Tabitha... along with my offspring so hubby and I could have a whole meal alone... at a table with cloth napkins, without picking up sippy cups every 30 seconds and without begging anyone to eat something green. It was glorious minus the fact that the waiter refused to write our orders down (even after I requested him to) and he brought our dinner to us progressively as it was ready... because lets be honest... he forgot parts of my order BECAUSE HE DIDN'T WRITE IT DOWN. MEN.

I digress...

Back to the book. I got so excited to receive this text:

"I'm 2 pages in and loving it already!"

So because we both love it, obviously you will too because I'm certain all my readers share my  distinguished taste in literature.  Sadly, I've just realized I haven't told you the name of the book but I know you're anxiously awaiting with baited breath. Do any of you follow Big Mama's blog? If not, you're missing out. It's the 2nd best blog on the internet next to mine.... which is an exclusive members only club of 72 people verse Big Mama's tens of thousands of followers. She gets 200+ comments on most of her blogs... I'm thrilled to get 1. Apparently y'all are a quiet bunch. Anyways, it's awesome so definitely check it out.

Big Mama (who isn't big at all so I was confused until I read the book) wrote a book called "Sparkly Green Earrings." It speaks to every aspect of motherhood from conception and pregnancy to baby poop and car ride puke... all stories told with whit and humor. I related to each chapter of the book in some way and found myself recalling similar memories with Parker and Avery.  It encouraged my spirit and lightened my mood... 2 things I was in desperate need of!

After reading the book, I've decided that she and I would be best friends if we were neighbors on her street in Texas. Sorry, Tabitha... you're getting the boot. There are no democrats in Texas. God Bless America. Amen.

I like books like that. Ones where you are certain the author wrote it just for you, in words you understood, with sarcasm you get, movie lines and song lyrics interjected.... basically a stream of thought with multiple veers off topic only to be brought back to a relevant and poignant point that you needed to hear. Those are the kinds of books I like and maybe will one day write myself.... for all 72 of you.... and my parents.


*I wasn't paid to write this. In fact, I paid for the book myself on Amazon. Well worth the $8.99

Midweek Confessions!

It's been a while since I've done some confessing so I thought that might be fun!

1. Parker and Avery ate Doritos for breakfast one day this week. We had them in our home after a poker game... someone forgot to take them home...Parker found them... Avery poured the crumbs on my face as I was "fading in and out" on the couch which is how I discovered they ate half a bag for breakfast. I can't blame them... those things are tasty.

2. I put a whole bunch of the kid's outgrown clothes for sale on facebook and various other places. The minute I notice someone has paid their invoice I'm scouring for more cute summer clothes. I'm like a kid with an allowance who must go spend it the second it's earned.... except I'm 28 (in 2 weeks!) and spend my $ on Kelly's Kids coordinating sibling sets instead of video games. Is it summer yet?

3. I had the carpets professionally cleaned today. I could have fed the local homeless with the amount of random fruit snacks and chip crumbs under my couch. I was horrified. New rule... food only in the kitchen.. until tomorrow when I'm asleep on the couch that is and the kids have to fend for themselves. When will they learn to toast their own waffles? Mama's still tired at 6:15am.

4. I signed up to run a 5K.... I ran today. It wasn't pretty. But do you know what will be pretty? Me... Crossing the finish line with no sweat, hot rolled hair and a cute matching work out outfit because if you aren't first then you might as well look darn good being last.

5. Parker and I got locked in the men's bathroom at our neighborhood clubhouse this weekend while I was setting up. Men, y'all are gross... but Parker discovered a new love of urinals so there's that... Thank goodness for cell phones and best friends who now live 2 doors down or we would have been in their a while!

Well I guess that's it. Nothing too radical :) Your turn!!!!

Spring Cleaning... KID'S CLOTHES!!!

I've been spring cleaning the kid's closets since spring clothes are already in stores and crazy ebayer's are eating them up online! I figured I'd try something new this year and offer them to my friends via a facebook album 1st before spending hours uploading them to ebay. The prices you see include shipping.Once an item is sold, I will remove it so all items you see are still available.

Parker's album is mostly 18 months - 3T. Avery's is newborn - 18 months.

Brands include Gymboree, Janie and Jack, Crazy 8's, Anavini, Baby Gap, Carter's and much more! I will continue to add to these albums regularly so please feel free to facebook friend me and shop!  I'm Taylor Carr Wise on facebook... and I won't be offended if you friend me, check out my clothes and unfriend me. I am totally aware I post excessively too many photos of my kids on FB. They're just so darn cute!

Here are a few treasures in the albums! Happy Shopping!!!