Mother's Day 2013

I am still receiving the gifts of a wonderful Mother's Day!  My musical card from Raymond continues to blare "Wonder Woman" and this Friday he has given me a day to myself via multiple spa treatments.  To say that I am looking forward to it is an understatement!
During last weeks Mother's Day celebrations I couldn't have felt more special or loved.  The preschool put on a wonderful "tea" luncheon complete with the hand made treats our kids bestowed upon us.  On Sunday, we ate lunch with Meme and Papa and enjoyed dining al fresco at Village Pizza. 
Mother's Day sneaks up on me every year but it's a holiday I feel very blessed to celebrate.  My children are such a joy in my life and a blessing I am very lucky to have.  Meme gave me the sweetest musical figurine (one she received several years ago when Daddy was little) of a mother holding her baby and her toe-haired daughter holding a baby doll.  The tune is to "Turn Around" by Malvina Reynolds.  I just love it because I feel like it looks like myself, Sawyer and Audrey, and I hope to pass it down to Audrey one day!   They lyrics to the song are so very true. 
Here are a few pictures of my special day(s)...

a preview song of the end of year program

My goodies!

So proud of herself and all her hand made things!

My two favorites.

Lunch on Sunday

In addition to having a lovely Mother's Day at church and during lunch with the family, Raymond and I celebrated a momma and her soon-to-be baby boy.  Kaz is due to make his appearance in the next few weeks, so many friends gathered around the proud parents Sunday afternoon to share in a really awesome time.

ready for preggo limbo?

And it's a long story but my husband won me this beach cruiser.  Yes, how awesome is that?!  Best. Baby Shower. Ever. 

This Mother's Day was one for the books.


TR

Feeling blessed at 32

Last week we made the two hour trip to Watercolor, FL, arguably one of my favorite places on earth.  Dad and Maureen were in from Niagara Falls for their annual trip, and Uncle David and Aunt Valerie offered up their place again.  We got to Watercolor on Tuesday night and stayed through Saturday, which I think was the perfect amount of time.  I always enjoy it when Dad and Maureen visit, but I really enjoy it when we are in such a fun and nice location such as this.  Unfortunately, the weather was less than perfect and it rained/misted most of the days.  We did get one great day on the beach and one okay day.  The mornings were spent bike riding and the afternoons were spent on the beach and by the pool (or as much as we could before it got too rainy).  One day we did a little shopping in Destin, but the majority of the time was spent between Watercolor and Seaside.  Every little detail of the week was so enjoyable.  From the morning bike ride over to Seaside to get coffee, to picnic lunches on the beach, smelling the wonderfully divine lightly coconut scented Watercolor shampoo to watching Audrey and Sawyer make new friends every day, and all of them turning into sand babies.  There were funny times, like watching Raymond run with a kite (that wouldn't fly) down the beach.  Or laughing with my Dad as we both have an interesting sense of humor.   Raymond and I spent a good amount of time snickering at my Dad and step-mom because they are less than technologically advanced.  But, if I had to pinpoint my favorite part of the week it was supper the evening before my birthday.  Raymond and I took the kids to The Red Bar in Grayton Beach.  We weren't sure how long the wait would be as it's usually so busy, but we walked right in and sat down.  The place was packed which made it all the more fun.  In addition to a super scrumptious limited menu, we enjoyed the band and overall awesome atmosphere.  The owner was so courteous and it's definitely somewhere we'll return with the kids.
Okay, so here are a few pictures of our trip!

enjoying a morning coffee in seaside and strolling with the kids.

Gotta go to Publix!

lunch in Destin

swinging at the outlets

going for a bike ride!

at our favorite Frog pool. 

Beach baby!

new friends

For my birthday, Dad and Maureen treated us to supper at Bud and Alley's.  By the time we made the short drive to the restaurant the sky had opened up and dumped all over us, but once inside we were able to enjoy a nice time and great food(I always love great food).  Afterwards, and after we got the kids to bed, Raymond and I drove to Destin for dessert and much needed alone time.
Something I consider a birthday treat is the quality time we were able to have with my family.  It's pretty rare because they live very far away, so the days together are precious.  On that note, I was able to get a nice group photo.

before we left for supper at Bud and Alley's

we're a goofy family!

During the week, I took advantage of the beautiful wooden deck/bike path in Watercolor and was able to snag some family shots.  Good family photos make another birthday score for me!

The trip to Watercolor to see my family couldn't have been better.  Well, except the weather.  Spending my birthday with loved ones we don't see often was a special treat and it's a reminder of how lucky I am to have such loving family all around me.  In Tallahassee, and far away.
I usually don't enjoy birthdays; however, I feel that this year is the exception.  For those that don't know, we are hopefully and Lord willing closing on a new house at the end of this month.  We are very excited and very blessed to be able to have this opportunity.  I am considering this purchase my true birthday present, but in truth, I don't need a present.  At 32 I am healthy, happy and very fortunate for the life I have.  I love our little family of four, and have the best husband who constantly puts up with me in addition to being such a hard working man.
Though if I did have to wish for one thing, it would be a return visit to the 30A real soon.

#32isthenew28

TR

The kiddos

As May approaches (and another birthday milestone, ugh) I feel like we're wrapping up the school year for Audrey and headed for Summer-time fun.  With the closure of this school year we are also ending our ballet and gymnastic seasons.  Audrey will most likely do a ballet summer camp, and she's signed up for summer gym, but the long sessions that take place during the school year are winding down over the next few weeks with Audrey's first ballet recital being the finale.  And let me tell ya, she's super pumped. 
Both children are doing wonderful.  Sawyer is our climbing, babbling, super-eating almost 15 month old all-boy baby.  He's about 21 lbs if my memory is correct, but we'll know more at his 15 month doctor appointment.  He's saying new words all the time but the most fascinating thing he says is "bible."  I love that Ms. Amanda taught him this word and I think he associates saying "bible" with her because she taught his cradle roll class for so long.  He also loves to play peek-a-boo, read books, play with cars and balls, play hide-and-seek with Audrey and Daddy, go on a bike ride, hang out in the garage (and climb all over his 4 Wheeler), mess up the toilet paper in the bathroom, pretend to sweep, brush his teeth, be tickled, play with his magnets, mess up our DVD's and watch "Kids Favorite Songs 2" by Sesame Street.  He loves to eat, but still favors his bottles over anything else.  Except maybe any candy he can get his hands on.  Oh, and he's a great cuddler.  It goes without saying that he keeps everyone in our house busy.  It truly is a family event raising this child.  I am with him the most, but Audrey is a huge help when it comes to dealing with him during the day.  She is always entertaining him when I need it, or finding a pacifier, cleaning up his bottles, finding a shoe(he loves one shoe off and one on), giving him a toy, and even sometimes she makes him mad when I ask her to pick him up and move him out of a room I am cleaning.   She's truly is a great big sister.  We all love our "stink stink" (a nick name I am trying to stop saying), but he is definitely a hand full.  A prime example of this is that he fell out of his crib yesterday when I thought he was napping.  I heard this loud bang and ran into his room to find him lying on his back on the floor.  Of course he was crying, but after a quick look-over and some lovin' I think it scared him (and me!) more than anything.  Needless to say, Daddy dropped his crib to its lowest point later that day.  Thank the Lord he was okay.
In Audrey news, she's a whole 30 pounds now!  She's a lean mean dancing/gymnast machine.  She still loves both equally so she will remain in both for now.  I am trying to decide if we are doing any other activities this summer.  Maybe swimming lessons again?  Or not, I can't decide.  Audrey enjoys preschool, so I am a little worried as to how we are going to fill her days during the summer.  I better come up with some sort of plan, and soon.  I would like for her to be more exposed to the arts so maybe that will be our summer focus.  I didn't sign her up for summer camps at Petite Players or Young Actors because I honestly didn't think to, and now I wish I had.  Maybe a little painting, crafting, cooking and music at home?  Trips to Hobby Lobby and Tallahassee Nurseries...sounds like fun to me! 
The biggest Audrey news is that she has decided she no longer wants to wear pull-ups at night.  She has done very well thus far and a trip to the toy store is due.   I am really proud of her as this was something she decided on her own, with very little provoking from us.  While we still have whiny spells and defiant times, Audrey understands the purpose in using her manners and she willing does so.  Though this doesn't happen one hundred percent of the time; I have noticed a shift in when I have to remind her to use her manners, to the point where she is using her manners without thinking.  Now granted she's only four so we have a lot of in-between, but Audrey is a wonderful sweet little girl and we are so proud of her!
And that's it for now.  Here are a few picture of our recent fun :)

Sawyer's first boat ride on the Sapp's boat

We love Winthrop park and frequent it often

4 Wheeler fun with Daddy!

A little island was found by these kiddos during our last camping trip!

TR

A little spring snippet

I feel like I have forgotten to blog recently, but I guess it hasn't been too long since my last post.  I think I am going to take a slight blog hiatus, though maybe not :)  We'll see...
At any rate, this small post is to just sum up the last couple of weeks, weeks that have been wonderfully "spring-ish."  Lazy beautiful days filled with playing outside and good food on the grill. Not too many pictures, but lots of little memories.

Springtime Tallahassee with the Sapp and Mills families!

fun on a gorgeous day!

Fish pond at Tallahassee Nursries

First Dentist visit went great!

 Happy Spring everyone!!

TR

Our lovely Easter holiday

When I think of this past Easter weekend (and the previous weekend's activities too), I feel so lucky and happy about life.  I feel so blessed for our family and friends.  For me, Spring makes me think of new beginnings or new growth, and just the revival of life in general.  But, there is something about this Spring that feels so hopeful. 
Easter is one of my favorite holidays and with all of this gorgeous weather; it made for beautiful egg hunting and playing outside.  Friday afternoon the children dyed eggs and then outdoors we went.  It was great to be able to wipe down everything and enjoy some warm weather again!  On Saturday, Timberlane had its annual egg hunt at Centerville Conservation Community.  With the lake as a back-drop and all of the green grass to hide eggs in, it sure made for a picturesque morning.  The kiddos thoroughly enjoyed the egg hunting, but also the bounce house that was there. 

On Easter Sunday the kids found their baskets before church and simply wripped them open to get to their first candy of the day.  When we left for church there was plastic pastel straw everywhere!  

We enjoyed a wonderful service by Tim and Daddy was the song leader!  I worked the nursery so I didn't get to hear him in the auditorium, but I heard him on the TV and that was just fine.  He did great and we are so proud of him.  I always enjoy hearing the compliments for many days after he song leads, things like "make sure you tell Raymond what a great job he did on Sunday!" or "I sure do love it when Raymond is song-leading!"    He's such a great Daddy.

After service we went to Meme and Papa's for a well prepared and wonderful meal.   Meme had everything ready as we walked in the door!  Not only were we blessed to have Grandma with us at church and during lunch, we were also joined by the Mundie family.  What a special treat that was, I hope they enjoyed it as much as we did.  After lunch, the children had a little egg hunt but we were dodging the rain so it didn't last too long.   Audrey did find the"golden egg" though.

After Meme and Papa's we went over to my aunt and uncles for what I'd like to call an Easter party.  We pulled in and didn't recognize several cars which means you know two things: a lot of people in attendance, and a great time ahead.  Both of which were true.  My aunt always puts out quite the spread and has elaborate tablescapes to make it very festive.  Our children are always the only ones there which means they get undivided attention from everyone and everyone plays with them.  Of course Audrey loves every minute of it.    We had a blast and look forward to another family holiday "party."  I didn't get any pictures either as is typically the case since we're always so busy socializing. 

And, that was our Easter!  It was wonderful and we are thankful yet again.

TR