Homer!

I got free tickets to the Charlotte Knights game so I wrapped up work as quickly as possible and Addie & I headed uptown to the new stadium. The Knights lost and we even got rained on for a bit but the highlight was by far getting to see Homer (the unofficial mascot) and making grand strides with Addie's fear of characters. After watching him from a very safe distance and seeing her friend high five him, she slowly worked up the courage to walk near him which later was a fist bump and eventually a full on hug! Our trip to Disney World in November may just include characters after all!

Junior Bowler

This summer started off HOT right from the beginning so was excited to learn about a fun air conditioned activity. We have only gone twice but are really enjoying Kids Bowl Free!

First trip to the bowling alley and she bowled a 65 and then a 106! Yes there are bumpers but I would say she got the hang of it. She even racked up strikes and spares! That 106 score beat everyone in our big group, including a 6 year old and two 10 year olds.

Going with just the two kids kept their attention better between turns. Maybe next week just she and I will go and I can bowl as well.

Junior Chef Camp

This was a special one day, all day camp and so far has been one of my favorites. They visited and got to pick from the Harris YMCA Organic Garden, they made their snacks, lunch and dessert for the day and how cute are the coordinating crafts?!

It's Camp Time Again

Squirt Camp

(Q: Are you ready for camp? A: Check, Double Check!)

 

Ballerina Camp

Preschool Camp - Pajama Day

Tri Kid

What a difference a year makes, (well really 10 months)! She did most of this event on her own... most impressively the swim!!! I was in the lane with her but only cheered her along. Jim once again did a good job of capturing the entire thing. Check her out! {Triathlon Video - Swim} {Triathlon Video - Bike & Run}

She is already signed up for the August 2 event, and she says she wants to really do the entire thing by herself... just help her with transitions. I know she can absolutely do it and would feel so proud!

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

Guess who was in the Charlotte Observer today?! Naturally my child was not going to give the strange lady with a camera her delightful smile but aren't they adorable all the same?!

Yesterday was the first day of Festival In The Park at Freedom Park. What is newsworthy though is how somebody threw caution to the wind and loved the new adventures she got to enjoy - Carnival Rides! (I know I won't be saying this when she is a teenager, but sometimes peer pressure can be a good thing.)

And of course we had to feed the ducks too!

Zoo-tastic!

Before Baby Y2 was Margaret, I had offered to take Anne Rankin for a day to give Adele & Tom an entire day with just the new baby. The summer almost completely got away from us before we were able to coordinate and take our trip but we ended up with a great day!

Jim & I took these two silly monkeys the the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro, NC. It was the first day North Carolina schools were back in session so we literally had the place almost all to ourselves which allowed them to run a little for freely and allowed us not to fret as much.

It was a very full day so everyone was completely exhausted by the time we got back to Charlotte, including us. A & T, I hope big sister slept hard and late for y'all and lets all do it again sometime.

Flip Into Fun

It is officially the summer of trying new things in our household. This week was Gymnastics Camp for Addie. I asked her "are you sure" all last week and she never wavered so signed her up not knowing how it would go. The Gymnastics Center is a very busy place (dare I say chaotic) and I would never describe munchkin as adventurous but something about day camp just works for her!

One - Two - Three...

Cheese Pit Fun!

No hands!!!

To my ultimate surprise, she performed in the end of week Friday show and willingly did every single element, with a smile on her face to boot! If my phone was not busted I would have recorded it or at least gotten a good picture of her in her shiny gymnastics leotard with her medal! It was awesome!

Amphibious

Yes I did get in some practice the other week, and while I did well this was easily the hardest event I have done in a long time. Much different but comparably difficult as a marathon. At the end of the first leg of trails (just a 5k) my legs felt like they had run a half marathon, which made the 2k paddle the "rest portion" of this event (what?!), but the third leg (another 5k of trails) was truly mind over matter. {Don't stop moving!} It was this mental toughness that helped me pass two guys during the final portion of the race. Both gave me props and a cheer of support as they graciously moved to the side to let me pass. I ended up finishing this race in 1:13:56, placing 5th overall and 1st female! Not sure where to log this in my PR stats but I definitely will not forget it.

This fantastic crew also offered their praise for my performance (and we had quite a few winners in this group) but nothing beats the conversation I had when called home after the race.

Addie: Hi mommy! Where are you?
Me: I just finished my race punkin'
Addie: Did you win?
Me: Actually yes!
Addie: A-W-E, S-O-me, Awesome Awesome Tot-ta-ly!

We Have a Triathlete in the Family

Our toddler's list of accomplishments shot through the roof today! Addie and several of her friends participated in the McCarthy Kids' & Preschool Triathlon. They all loved it and truly did a fantastic job! The event was well organized, had amazing energy and was just a ton of fun. I was thoroughly impressed and as soon as it was over all the kids asked do do it again so we will certainly be back next summer!

After the big race, we had a celebratory breakfast at Chick-fil-A. She certainly earned it and I wanted to see that proud smile on her face as long as possible. I still WATCH THIS and smile myself!

Another Active Birthday

I requested a trip to US National White Water Center again this year. So after dropping the munchkin at Ballerina Camp we headed out on a new adventure. I am participating in The Amphibious Duathlon out there in a few weeks so used that as an excuse to hit the trails. We went running along the first leg of the course, flatwater kayaked then ate lunch at the River’s Edge Bar & Grill. We even had a chance to just walk around the property because a friend graciously offered to pick our little ballerina up to play with her daughter. It was such a rare treat not to rush!

Hot Days, Cool Fun!

First trip to our Splash Park this summer! Amazingly enough, she didn't need me to get in there with her. (Crediting camp with growing her confidence.) Since she wasn't worried about staying right next to me, she was able to focus on enjoying herself. Even made a little friend and shared her cup with him. BIG GIRL!

Old Pro

We were not originally going to put her in camp this week but she missed it and her cute counselors missed her. {Collective, awwwww!} So here is a snap of the seasoned camper heading off for another exciting week. Last time the theme was Pirates & Mermaids. This time the theme is July 4th and she came home with an awesome wind sock today which is proudly displayed in the kitchen.

I hope she is in equally good spirits about returning to Soccer Shots on Wednesday. (Poor report from last week and certainly no pictures since I spent most of "practice" with our normally Lil' Pele, no Mia Hamm, wait I got it - Abby Wambach* wrapped around my leg. By the end of it she did give the coach a high five. I took this as a fantastic sign and so did he because we immediately caught each others eyes and gave a "victory" nod.

*Props to Abby Wambach for surpassing Mia Hamm with a new goal record!

Saturday nights are meant for dinner and dancing!

"Get up and dance, get up and smile, get up and drink to the days that are gone in the shortest while."

We headed to Hickory Tavern for dinner and to our delight, a jazz trio set up outside. The weather was nice so I picked the restaurant for the outdoor seating... it overlooks The Greenway. Was not aware that the MetLive Concert Series was still going on but what a bonus! I will certainly be back!

New Adventures!

Only one of us is actually attending summer day camp but that program starts 45mins earlier then preschool did which has been an adjustment for everyone! Jim has been later to work so he can help sunscreen Addie while I am not getting my same workouts in and clocking into work much earlier. :-)  It is all worth it though because SHE LOVES IT but even the Preschool Director has been thoroughly impressed by our little one! She really has been a whole new person. Willing to jump in, bonding with new kids & adults, flat out talking & hugging people and eating a ton! WHOA!

Drop-off Day 1 & on the way to Day 2 of Preschool Camp

Hot Fun In The Summertime

Gotta love Marshalls! I saw this pool last week but didn't buy it because wasn't sure $70 was a good price or not and shopping with Addie doesn't leave you much time to ponder such things.

Places must be already marking down summer items because today it was on clearance for $50 which seemed much more reasonable. So I put it in the cart to show Jim who, of course, immediately pulls up Amazon on his phone. (Amazon is our go-to spot for price comparison and typically has the best deal.) We come to find out this pool retails for something around $260. What?!

After blowing it up I see what all we were getting for our money. This thing is HUGE! Addie didn't care for the sprinklers but loves the slide. Cannot wait to have some friends of hers over to play.

Rinse & Repete

We made it to Latta Park yesterday and went back again today. With the summer heat, this must be a popular activity and therefore crowded but the playground next to the Splash Park was nice as well as shaded. (Adding this to the activity list of free, fun things to do in Charlotte.)

Let Freedom Ring

In my Photo-a-day Challenge, today's thing was fun. Easy, everything about the 4th in Linville is fun but how to do that in just one picture?! My camera wasn't working so there are not the usual amount of pictures to choose from. I still managed to take about 60 with my phone though!

Last year the parade was a little too much but this year she loved it and waving at everyone in it. 

Her cute waves did get rewarded with plenty of candy!

  Off to the games. I was a terrible partner this year and flat out dropped our egg - sorry Taylor!

Unfortunately Addie and Anne Rankin's nap schedules didn't coincide for joint pool time.

She wanted to do this, but thought twice about that once we were sitting at the top.

 

Big girl ate almost 2 whole hamburgers for dinner then followed that up with some ice cream.

 

Since we went directly to the inflatables & balloon artists, we didn't get our standard picture 

with Grandfather Mountain in the background. Boo!

 

Anytime there is happy sand time, it must be documented! Here she is making "cakes".

 

Tired little girl but she was having a ball and didn't want to miss a thing, including dancing and fireworks. She wasn't scared but she didn't care to watch the firework show.

(FYI - I went with this picture as my fun shot.)

Anne Rankin on the other hand seemed to be soothed right to sleep by the bright lights and bangs!

 

One fun surprise was running into Addie's old teacher, Starr. 

Turns out her family's house is right around the corner from Poppy. Small World!