Williamson County Fair

This past weekend we visited Lee's sister in Franklin, Tn. We had a fabulous time playing and wearing out kids like it was our job. It also got us in the mood for the Fair! Franklin had their fair this week, so we got a little taste of what is to come in the Fall!

My children of course loved the rides. Here are my two favorite shots of the night:

Harper really wanted to ride the looping thing. She was so cute. She just stared at it and pointed every few minutes... maybe next year!

Here are Sophie, Cade, and Harper ready to ride the boats!

Summer: Accomplished

There were two things I desperately wanted for the girls this summer. The first was for Sophie to be a more proficient swimmer. Although I have no pictures yet, the clingy little three year old who wouldn't let my hands go has disappeared. She got a little floaty belt and off she has swam! We even take it off sometimes! I hope to have pictures of this occasion soon...

The biggest thing I hoped to do this summer is to combine the girls' room. Tadaahh! We have done it! We are still missing a few wall art things that have yet to make it from Market, the process is pretty much complete. They are still learning to sleep on such a big surface, but I think they are doing a good job:

Second cupping it

Today I fixed a second cup of coffee. The girls are getting two cartoons this morning. We are determined to have a lazy Friday! Our summer is almost over, and Sophie has asked for a lazy day. Score! We have been so busy lately, and our next two weeks before schedules really begin are filling fastly, so our goal today is to do nothing before noon. I think we can handle it. Harper is confused because she keeps trying to throw her juice cup in the sink and turn off the TV, our 8:30 am ritual. But, after a day at the water park and a full week of playing day and night, we need a little break! Right now I have two Snow Whites vegging out with their second snack of the morning and dinosaur train in the background. I have some art paper ready to go when they want to move, but on their own terms.... it is summer, after all! Aren't we supposed to be lazy every now and then?

Plus, tonight the girls have a play date with friends while Lee and I recreate our first date that occurred seven years ago today. It was at the Olive Room. He ordered some nasty Beer, and I acted like I liked it. He tried to be cool and order a tapenade, only to realize it was olives and he hates olives. Oh, we tried to be cool, and despite the fact we saw through our "coolness" and still saw the true us. Tonight, I will stick to a great glass of wine, and order either my snapper or tenderloin, and he will still think I am cool.

How to make a daddy's day

This afternoon we were at lunch after church. Sophie was filling us in on who was in her class at church, who wasn't there, and Harper was trying to let us know what book she read this morning with her beloved Miss Angel. Sophie was sitting beside Lee and was telling him secrets. She does this from time to time, and they usually are some type of demand, like a request for juice or a treat. Today she whispered to Lee a new demand- "Daddy, don't ever go back to work again. Stay with me always." That girl could have asked for the moon at that moment and she may have gotten it!

Anticipation....

The Carly Simon song is definitely in my head today. Despite having a crazy busy week with getting out of our Summer laid back routine into VBS craziness, I am on cloud nine. Why? It is my third favorite day of the year!

My first fave day of the year is the day before Thanksgiving. I don't know why... I guess it is just the day before holiday season begins, it is usually cool, and we always have fun stuff to do, whether it be cook great food, prepare for family visits, or pack cute clothes to head to a feast. My second fave day of the year is Christmas Eve. It has always been the most exciting day, and has excelled in excitement with the addition of my own children and nieces and nephews having that Christmas spirit. I love candlelight services, I love driving an looking at decorations, and I love picking out cute PJs to have photo ops in the am.

But my THIRD fave day is the day before Market! My best childhood friend and I braved out four years ago to Market in Atlanta after we both found out we were having little girls a week apart. We knew then we had a tradition started. Since then our crowd has grown, with the addition of my sister, neighbor, and mutual friends. It is the one time a year all of us moms get to shop in THREE buildings 13 stories tall of great stuff, marked at wholesale prices. I don't carry any diapers, or fruit chews, or sippy cups. I carry water for me, a pack of gum, and I only go to the restroom if I have to go. We don't worry if we wait two hours to eat that someone will show out, and we definitely don't worry about bedtime or naps. It is an awesome experience for a mom to check out of that daily life and go wear yourself completely out somewhere other than the local YMCA pool.

I love my life, I love my little girls, I love my friends' kids, and I love my husband for giving the opportunity to play mommy all day long. But I think I love him JUST as much that he sends me away for two nights with some cash, credit card, and the promise to only call if needed!

And that is why I will toss and turn with excitement all night!

Happy Fourth of July!

Why we love Blue Ridge

As I mentioned before, we just took our annual Blue Ridge trip. We look forward to this time each year. It gives us a chance to turn off electronics, (including hair dryers... therefore few pictures of me...) do nothing more productive than running after fireflies, and building memories with close friends. Still don't understand the draw in Blue Ridge? Let me give you a better picture.

This is what it is like in our house normally. Note the mound of laundry, and the little girl who has lost a nice bow, but ironically found chocolate somewhere in her reach...

To kids, enjoying every moment spent on a huge front porch....

Only 50 more weeks until our next trip!