Sunday, July 11, 2010
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Rainy Day
As much as I love the hot, sunny weather, I equally love rainy, dreary days. It's the greatest excuse to stay in your PJs and lounge around the house. I was up pretty early this morning, so as soon as Audrey was awake and fed, we headed out to Target. As we were getting in the car to leave, she pointed outside where it was lightly raining. So I let her go stand in the driveway...she loved it!
Trying to put the flower back on!
"Sorry, Dad!"
Later in the day the sun came out and it was pretty nice. We took a short walk but it was kind of muggy. Our photographer posted another sneak peek on FB...hopefully our gallery is finished tonight!
Hope everyone had a great weekend!
Trying to put the flower back on!
"Sorry, Dad!"
Later in the day the sun came out and it was pretty nice. We took a short walk but it was kind of muggy. Our photographer posted another sneak peek on FB...hopefully our gallery is finished tonight!
Hope everyone had a great weekend!
I freaking LOVE summer!
I love not waking up to the annoying alarm clock. Instead I either get a good-bye kiss from Chris, or a very happy Audrey bouncing on my bed. I love taking our time in the mornings; there's no rushing around to get ready. Instead Audrey leisurely plays while I fix her breakfast. The dishes and a shower can wait until we've played for awhile. I love that Audrey still likes Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (which makes getting things done SO much easier! I love that I can lose track of what day it is. Instead of worrying about creating a week's worth of lesson plans, I can merely check out my favorite education blogs/sites and peruse the Lakeshore catalog. No report cards, grading, or preparing for Child Study meetings on my weekends! I love that I can stay up late. Instead of crashing into my bed at 8:30, I can stay up long into the hours of the night, long after sweet Audrey has fallen asleep. I can watch fun summer tv (most of which I turned Chris onto;)) or read in bed. I love that I can read for pleasure! Instead of going straight to sleep I can read several chapters of a riveting book (and thanks to my friend Laura, I have a huge stack of James Patterson books waiting for me.) I love that I can take Audrey out and about in the middle of the day where there's not much traffic, not many people. Instead of doing our grocery shopping on Saturday morning, we can go any time! Instead of trying to cram our weekend full of household chores, it can all be spread out.
There are so many things I love about summer. I am very grateful that my job allows me to be off this time of the year. I think every profession should have some kind of extended R&R period...it's good for the mind and body!
There are so many things I love about summer. I am very grateful that my job allows me to be off this time of the year. I think every profession should have some kind of extended R&R period...it's good for the mind and body!
Monday, July 5, 2010
Wonderful Wedding Weekend!
Cousin Stephanie and her fiancé TJ were married on Saturday and it was a blast! Stephanie did an amazing job planning her wedding. She was super organized, the location was gorgeous, the food & music were fantastic. But what impressed me the most was how genuinely in love she and TJ are. She has been so excited about her wedding, absolutely glowing since becoming engaged. They are such a great couple, always smiling and having fun together. Marriage is going to be wonderful for them! I took a ton of pics for the big day:
Dad and Audrey, walking to the ceremony spot
She loved playing with the chairs while we were waiting for everyone to be seated.
Favorite!
The kiss!
Mr. & Mrs!
Audrey & Isabella
Having fun with Aunt Sarah
So, we realized just how much Audrey loves to dance. She wanted to be on the dance floor the whole time. She'd stop dancing, run to the edge of the dance floor, wave at us, then go back to dancing. Towards the end of the night people would circle her and she'd dance in the middle without a care in the world. She was so much fun. She danced until it was time to go home (11:30!!)
Towards the end of the reception there was a beautiful fireworks display. It was really spectacular, but Audrey was quite frightened. She kept looking up to see the pretty lights, but hated the sounds.
What a fun wedding! We had the best time. Congrats to Stephanie & TJ!!
Dad and Audrey, walking to the ceremony spot
She loved playing with the chairs while we were waiting for everyone to be seated.
Favorite!
The kiss!
Mr. & Mrs!
Audrey & Isabella
Having fun with Aunt Sarah
So, we realized just how much Audrey loves to dance. She wanted to be on the dance floor the whole time. She'd stop dancing, run to the edge of the dance floor, wave at us, then go back to dancing. Towards the end of the night people would circle her and she'd dance in the middle without a care in the world. She was so much fun. She danced until it was time to go home (11:30!!)
Towards the end of the reception there was a beautiful fireworks display. It was really spectacular, but Audrey was quite frightened. She kept looking up to see the pretty lights, but hated the sounds.
What a fun wedding! We had the best time. Congrats to Stephanie & TJ!!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
All around town
The past two days have been beautiful! Barely any humidity and bright blue skies. On Tuesday I took Audrey to downtown Fredericksburg. First stop was Hurcamp Park. She loved the fountain!
Then we went to the library. She got her very own library card and checked out some wonderful books...an Olivia counting book, Animal Signs, a shape book, and The Napping House by Audrey Wood. Speaking of Audrey Wood, I so want to get another one of her books, The Kissing Hand. I read it to my class for Family Life because it related well to one of our topics. I got all weepy at the end, and you will too! Definitely check it out if you haven't already!
Today we went with Tina and cousin Skylar to the Children's Museum in Richmond (Short Pump.) What a great place! They had several different play areas, a real train, a HUGE water table, even a designated blocked-in area for children under 2. I really wish we had one that was closer!
Checking out the museum sign
At first Audrey was very bashful...she clung to me for a few minutes. I put her in the sand box, and she really wasn't too thrilled with it at first. Skylar loved it though! I love how she'd pick up the sand in both fists and watch it pour out as she slowly opened her hands. Audrey was more interested in the train. While we were standing in line she kept saying, "Choo, choo!!"
She also, oddly enough, really just enjoyed running around in circles...she honestly didn't even care where I was, she just wanted to run around and explore. I really liked the Under 2 play area. It was plenty big and the girls enjoyed everything in there. Skylar got bored after awhile and peaced out by herself, making a beeline straight back to the sandbox, lol.
*Note to self- buy more wooden puzzles!!
It was really, really fun! The staff was fantastic. They were friendly and helpful, and they were constantly straightening up (and disinfecting!!) the play areas. We walked over to Kona Grill for lunch and then headed home. It was about a 50 minute drive for us, and Audrey slept the whole way. When we got home she slept for another 2 hours in her crib. Definitely a great play date for the two sweet girls.
The rest of the week is supposed to be beautiful, mid 80's. We have a ton of family in town for Stephanie & TJ's wedding weekend. We can't wait, it's going to be a huge, fantastic celebration :)
Then we went to the library. She got her very own library card and checked out some wonderful books...an Olivia counting book, Animal Signs, a shape book, and The Napping House by Audrey Wood. Speaking of Audrey Wood, I so want to get another one of her books, The Kissing Hand. I read it to my class for Family Life because it related well to one of our topics. I got all weepy at the end, and you will too! Definitely check it out if you haven't already!
Today we went with Tina and cousin Skylar to the Children's Museum in Richmond (Short Pump.) What a great place! They had several different play areas, a real train, a HUGE water table, even a designated blocked-in area for children under 2. I really wish we had one that was closer!
Checking out the museum sign
At first Audrey was very bashful...she clung to me for a few minutes. I put her in the sand box, and she really wasn't too thrilled with it at first. Skylar loved it though! I love how she'd pick up the sand in both fists and watch it pour out as she slowly opened her hands. Audrey was more interested in the train. While we were standing in line she kept saying, "Choo, choo!!"
She also, oddly enough, really just enjoyed running around in circles...she honestly didn't even care where I was, she just wanted to run around and explore. I really liked the Under 2 play area. It was plenty big and the girls enjoyed everything in there. Skylar got bored after awhile and peaced out by herself, making a beeline straight back to the sandbox, lol.
*Note to self- buy more wooden puzzles!!
It was really, really fun! The staff was fantastic. They were friendly and helpful, and they were constantly straightening up (and disinfecting!!) the play areas. We walked over to Kona Grill for lunch and then headed home. It was about a 50 minute drive for us, and Audrey slept the whole way. When we got home she slept for another 2 hours in her crib. Definitely a great play date for the two sweet girls.
The rest of the week is supposed to be beautiful, mid 80's. We have a ton of family in town for Stephanie & TJ's wedding weekend. We can't wait, it's going to be a huge, fantastic celebration :)
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
18 month photo shoot
WOW, is all I can say! As usual, Stephanie did an amazing job. We met her at Chatam Manor last night (she suggested an evening shoot, said the lighting would be fantastic!) It was extremely hot but we'd catch a breeze every once in awhile & most of the place was shaded. She basically just followed Audrey around. Audrey was very intrigued with the buildings, flowers, especially the fish pond (she actually tried to step into the fish pond...eeek!!) She was getting a little restless at one point, so we turned on the iPod and she danced around to "Down." So cute. Eventually it got a little too hot for her because towards the end she got really fussy (plus it was her bed time.) Right before we left, a huge black snake slithered in front of us. Yuck!
I am thrilled with our sneak peek. It will be a couple weeks before our gallery is up. I can hardly wait!
Sunday, June 27, 2010
What to do, what to do...
Entertaining Audrey is a lot different this summer as opposed to last. Last year she was pretty stationary, so it was very easy to keep her occupied with toys & books. She also got a lot of use from her excersaucer and doorway jumper. Now it's a whole different story. She's completely mobile and I don't have any kind of cool contraption to put her in! So we tried a couple of new things this weekend: drawing and baby pool!
The crayon holders are for beginners (Target). Audrey preffered spinning them like tops.
Ready to go outside!
At first she wasn't sure about the pool (perhaps it was being inside a giant blowfish's mouth that freaked her out?)
She would bend down to splash the water, but wouldn't actually sit...
Loved the pool toys! Notice she's still not sitting...
Finally! She really loved this cup, she kept turning it over and banging on the bottom. She liked dancing to the sound.
Changed into warm clothes and watching some TV.
It has been so hot this weekend! The water activities and shade are great for Audrey, but I can only stand to be out there for so long. What kinds of indoor activities do you do with your toddler?
The crayon holders are for beginners (Target). Audrey preffered spinning them like tops.
Ready to go outside!
At first she wasn't sure about the pool (perhaps it was being inside a giant blowfish's mouth that freaked her out?)
She would bend down to splash the water, but wouldn't actually sit...
Loved the pool toys! Notice she's still not sitting...
Finally! She really loved this cup, she kept turning it over and banging on the bottom. She liked dancing to the sound.
Changed into warm clothes and watching some TV.
It has been so hot this weekend! The water activities and shade are great for Audrey, but I can only stand to be out there for so long. What kinds of indoor activities do you do with your toddler?
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