Friday Night Fun!

There is nothing quite like it when the humidity and extreme heat that has plagued us for the past month or so finally takes a break.  It is like you can suddenly take a deep breath and actually enjoy being outside!

Last night was just that - a perfect night with mild temperatures and low humidity - and we took full advantage of the welcome change in weather!

We met up with the Hollmeyer family (and cousin Jack) for some dinner, drinks and dunks in their neighborhood pool.

The kiddos all played in the baby pool for a while, but eventually we all gave in to the begging to swim in the big pool....and jump off the diving board!

Aidan gave it a try, but ended up changing his mind at the last minute....

After dinner and a quick ice cream break....

....it was back into the water again!

We were having so much fun that we wound up staying until the pool closed at 9 PM. 

There is nothing quite as wonderful as an evening spent with good friends and tired children who pass out as soon as their sleepy heads hit the pillow!

Flashback Friday

You may remember our first visit to the dentist - it was a bit stressful for both us and the kiddos:

 First Dentist Visit

And then there was the visit to our new dentist regarding Ella's gray tooth:

Ella's Gray Tooth

Well, our visit this past Wednesday was absolutely, positively wonderful!

I don't know if it was having baby Sally and Buzz Lightyear along for the journey, that Ella and Aidan are a bit older than last time, or that the environment at our new dentist is just that much better and more professional - whatever the case, both Ella and Aidan marched right in and sat in the chair to get their teeth cleaned like they had been doing it for years!

I was shocked at how easy the entire experience was, as I was more than a bit nervous about taking them by myself. In the end, I was beyond impressed with our little duo and so proud to see them chat with the hygenists and the Dr, even posing for a few pictures during their X-rays and with Dr Laxer!

And the best news of all - no cavities and a clean bill of dental health!

Ella's Incredible Eggs

A few days ago Ella and Aidan were coloring while I was preparing dinner.  Ella asked for a blank piece of paper so that she could draw an egg.

Interesting idea.....

Needless to say, I was amazed at what she created.

I gave her absolutely no direction or assistance of any kind. She was very clear about how the eggs needed arms, fingers, legs and feet and even included eyes, a nose, a mouth and hair.

Since then, she has made one incredible egg after another!

Wordless Wednesday

IKEA

What could be better than a trip to IKEA?


A trip to IKEA with some of your best friends!

M is for Memories

Memories are a tricky thing - triggered by pictures, smells, tastes, sounds.

Our trip home to Atlanta last weekend was full of memories. From reuniting with my high-school friends 20 years after graduation to taking our first road trip without Daddy.


And only the memory card in my brain and in my camera to record it all.

Will you remember Friday's nearly six-hour car ride full of major traffic jams on the way down?

Or will you remember the pure joy of finally arriving and playing in the backyard with Opa and Grandma Shushi, and all of the special little presents, gifts and surprises scattered throughout the house - even your special table set just right with Buzz Lightyear and Minnie Mouse waiting to greet you.

Will you remember the ridiculous heat and humidity of the weather all weekend?
Or will you remember all of the fun of you had cooling off and playing with Opa as you splashed and swam about in the pool.

Will you remember the torrential downpour that unleashed from the sky on Sunday right as we arrived at the Butterfly Festival, threatening to cancel the entire affair?

Or will you remember how the skies cleared, your very first ride on a school bus, getting your faces painted, dancing amidst bubbles, having popcorn and ice cream for lunch, and passing out from pure exhaustion at the end of the afternoon.

Will you remember missing Daddy, the non-stop pace of all of our activities over the weekend and your exhausted Mommy, Opa, Grandma Shushi and Great Aunt Kiki?
Or will you remember and cherish the time spent and memories made with those who love and treasure you both beyond words.

Flashback Friday - 20 Years

June 1990

July 2010

Wordless Wednesday

Mountain Escape

This past Monday was the only day off Mike has had in quite a while and all he wanted to do was escape to Blowing Rock for the day. Mother Nature had other plans, and the morning greeted us with muggy and misty air and 100% chance of rain and thunderstorms.

Nonetheless, Mike would not be deterred and off to Blowing Rock we went.  As it turned out, we ended up having better weather in the mountains than back home. Sure, we had rain, but really just a little drizzle and misting...back here in Charlotte there were massive thunderstorms, tornado watches and flash floods!

The fog was pretty magical and made for some cool photos:

But Ella and Aidan made for even better photography as they stopped for a few pictures after lunch....

....and enjoyed their ice cream cones!

Wordless Wednesday