I Want Moore Beach!

If I don't at least lay out this blog post, I am afraid it will keep getting away from me. Check back soon for stories of the Marques running away with the first annual Beach Games "trophy" and of course more pictures... mostly of these two cuties!

A New Love

On our way to the beach, we drop Teva at her Auntie Kim's house - Rivendale Farms. Kim is actually the person who rescued Teva so it is fun for everyone to see each other and catch up. We easily get the better end of this deal because we have peace of mind knowing our 4-legged child is well cared for and Teva gets to live the grand life for a week, (swimming in the lake, being doting on, having doggie friends to run around with, chasing the barn cats and am pretty sure being allowed on the furniture.)

Anyway, on this visit Kim captured another someone's heart as well! Addie got to hold cats, pat dogs & horses and ride their brand new pony! This is another activity I would fully support. Horses are amazing creatures and this sweet pony was no exception. We really must make a point to get down there one weekend to "play"!

Diva-licious

Something we have learned about being parents of our little one... A quiet Addie can mean one of three things: 1, she is reading books in her room, 2, she is hiding in a corner pooping (that is the final potty training step she can not seem to overcome), or 3, she is getting into something she probably shouldn't be.

This morning that something was my makeup drawer. (Child locks have become pretty pointless). While I was packing our lunches she thought she needed a little something extra for school today. Doesn't she look fabulous?!

New Adventure

Almost 10 years after the original release, iitttsss baaaack AND IN 3D... and today we went!

It was not the magical event I had imagined for Addie's first movie. She has seen Finding Nemo at home so I knew she liked the movie but did not realize how overwhelming everything else would be. Mostly it was just so loud. We waited out in the lobby til the previews were over plus I had the manager turn the volume down. She was mesmerized but not in a WOW sort of way. Think I'll wait awhile before trying again and not pick a 3D movie.

Hit The Brixx

Another race I signed all my family up for and another sign I am a nut case! I ran to the race, did the 10k, meet Jim after that for the 5k then we hung around to cheer Addie on in the Fun Run. At the end of the day I would have probably ran less had I just signed up for a half marathon but it was nice to get to indulge my competitive side and still enjoy running as a family. (By the way, I am not forcing my child into anything. She really DOES enjoy these things, even cheers and tells you to run faster... not that she looks it here.)

Addie was excited to have her buddies, Samantha & Norah, run this race with her. All the girls decided to hold hands which was precious at first until Samantha got tripped up and took a spill. The other two were quick to "pick her back up" and we all just kept cheering... probably the only reason there were no tears. Love these three!

We hung around a little while after the race but decided it was worth is to go out to eat all together versus fight the crowds for the free pizza and beer post-race. (Proof we are old!)

Who doesn't need a nap? Right!

Love Bugs

Just another trip to the Charlotte Nature Museum with her "boyfriend". Okay I call him that, not her.

9/11/12

This photo grabbed my attention yesterday and of everything I read, this was something "new" so had to share:

"I could admonish you to remember, but instead, I'll ask you to consider that it doesn't matter what you were wearing, who you were with, or where you were when you heard. Your photos of flags and eagles and lights in the sky over Manhattan isn't the only - or by any means the best - tribute that you can pay to your memory of one day.

Consider instead a commitment to your community. Because really, that's the best that you can do to emulate the people that you consider heroes. They ran back into burning buildings because they were committed to their communities and their fellow citizens. So you can haul out your flag and your sorrow and your remembrances and then pack them away again until next year, but doesn't that pale in comparison to a weekly donation to your local food bank, or a monthly volunteer gig at a crisis center, or an opportunity to mentor a child who struggles? We shake our heads and bemoan that life can change in an instant; consider instead taking an instant to maybe change a life." --Karen Hatch

Return To Latta

As you may recall we visited Latta Park this summer to enjoy the Splash Park and she obviously remembered as well because asked me 15 times why the water was off today. I am not ready for the "but why" phase to start. "It just is okay?!" Well, once she finally gave that up, we were able to play with a little more focus and I got a few cute pictures of my happy girl.

Scout has been the faithful sidekick these days. She pushed her in the swing, down the slide, to snack, tried to buckle her in the car seat, etc. (Too bad Scout doesn't need to use the potty or maybe then we could be done with Pull Ups.)

Disclaimer: Yes, that is white after Labor Day {gasp} but cuteness totally trumps any fashion rules.

Round 2

Today, munchkin started another session of Kinderkids Dance at The Harris YMCA. She had almost zero hesitancy this time around. (We just had to get to know the new teacher, Miss Jenny.) With that, I am expecting big things for this session's performance. (Anything will be be bigger then before though!)

Mark Saturday, December 1 in your social calender!

L to R: Nina - Sally - Riley - Addie - Alivia - Mia Kate - Lowery

Grusome-Twosome

About a month or so ago I kept a friend's daughter & Addie's best friend, Lowrey, while her mom attended an unexpected funeral. I was happy to help out and the girls had an absolute blast, but it was also one of the most exhausting afternoons of my life - no exaggeration. These two did everything! Swimming, had popsicles, dressed up, played chase, danced, had several potty breaks & accidents just to scratch the surface. Basically, none of us sat still for a moment in the 5 hours she was over so I suggested coloring... thinking they could chill out and I could try and pick up a bit.

You really cannot take your eyes off children, ever! In the few minutes I stepped away, the girls turned the markers into makeup. Luckily the markers are washable and I had enough time to clean them up (again) before mom came to pick her up.

I can only imagine the sort of trouble these two will be getting themselves into in the years to come.

Preschooler On Board

We attended "Meet The Teacher" last week, there are established buddies in her class, we know her teacher and she has been going to the YMCA since she was 3 months old. However, none of these things gave me any confidence about dropping her off today. Don't get me wrong, we are thrilled with the Harris YMCA Preschool Academy and I think the structure, smaller class size, etc will be just what she needs but I also know my child... my cautious, attached child. :-)

(Jim even took the morning off to drop her off as well.)

With that said, drop off went fantastic! She was excited to see her friends (Riley ran to the door to hug Addie), gave her teacher (Ms. Jackie) a hug and smiled for a quick picture... then turned and went inside.

It could have only gone better for mom and dad. Just another welcome to parenthood moment but I wanted her picture solo as well as a goodbye hug and smooch but we couldn't give her the chance to change her mind about being excited to be there.

I took the entire day off to help make a big deal about everything. Turns out no extra convincing was necessary but celebrating absolutely was. The report for the entire class was just as positive as our drop off experience. Have we finally turned a corner?! I hope Thursday goes just as well!

Since it was a short day (and dad is working at home all week because of the DNC), Addie and I headed to Chick-fil-A for lunch & ice cream then to Discovery Place Kids for the afternoon. YEA BIG GIRL!