Blue Jay Point

The crazy thing about NC has got to be the weather - 95 one day, 75 the next, and back to 90 the next day. Thankfully, yesterday was a beautiful, sunny, 75 degree day with awesome Carolina-blue skies. Seriously perfect! We were going to go to the pool after the dentist and lunch with Todd, but Kate's fighting a cold, so I didn't think that was the best idea. She's been begging to go to Blue Jay Point ever since I took Brett on our Mommy and Brett date a few weeks ago, so that's where we went. It was perfect weather - we hiked the little quarter mile trail down to the water and jumped across rocks, tried to skip rocks, and splashed our feet in the water. My famous last words - "Do NOT get wet. I do not have extra clothes." Guess who got wet?! Oh yes, I had to ring out Kate's dress before we could get back in the car, but everyone had fun, so that's all that counts!  Pardon the cell phone and Instagram pics - that's all I had on me!

Sometimes they actually do like each other :)

Kate was trying to convince Brett to take his shoes off - "Look, buddy, the water is fine.  It won't hurt you."  Hahahaha!

The little Kater Potater - "Take a picture of me while I stand like this."

Brett was annoyed - "Mom, quit taking pictures!"

Toothless

Brett had two teeth pulled by the dentist yesterday and he did GREAT! Like seriously, better than great, if there even is such a thing! He had two baby teeth that were fused together, and they weren't getting loose even though the permanent teeth are trying to come in, so they had to go. He wasn't nervous at all. He was so excited to watch Star Wars with Dr. Dave. They said that he had the laughing gas going, they numbed him up, and he didn't even realize they had pulled it! Yay! He ate lunch like a champ less than an hour later. He is a little sore today, but seems to be good to go with a nice dose of ibuprofen. What a brave kid!

A quick cell phone picture at Blue Jay Point of my toothless boy!

Race for the Cure

On June 9th, my mom and sister and I participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure with about 15,000 other people at Meredith College in Raleigh. This was my 3rd year. My mom has been doing it for several years, and this was Meredith's first year. We decided that next year we're going to have the whole family out there! It is such a cool experience... words cannot really describe everything that you see - people outside their houses blasting music, dancing on their porch, setting up spray stations to cool you off, offering free water, church groups singing on the side of the street, cheering on all of the runners and walkers, etc. I saw the cutest little boys that had tutus sewn on their t-shirts for "Tina's Tatas." Seriously a fun, amazing way to support a great cause.

 

VBS

Last week was VBS at our church - the theme was Sky. Both kids had a great week. They both had a few friends in their class, and they both made some new friends. On Friday night they do a little concert for the parents. Each class sings one song and they sing a few sings all together. They had 200+ kids at VBS from pre-K to fifth grade. That is a LOT of kids! I even got to join in the fun one day and sub a pre-K class when one of the teachers called in sick. What a fun week!!

 

Landscaping, part 2

About two years ago, we did the first part of our landscaping project. Well, actually, Greenscape did it, and they did a great job. We finally had them do part 2 of the project, and hopefully, part 3 will be sometime next year. In case you don't remember, we used to have enormous holly bushes in the front of the house that needed to be trimmed back about 5 years ago :) Now they're gone - yay!! They did the culverts during part 1, but changed out a couple plants this time around.  They also added in the river rock in the front by the garage and the big retaining wall on the far side of the house.  The retaining wall matches the firepit in the back of the house that they did during part one.

Speaking of the firepit, we have an addition going on the back of the house in August - a 4 season porch with a wood burning fireplace.  We're working closely with our contractor to bring in some of the elements of our outside firepit to tie in with the new porch.  We're definitely getting excited about this new project!

Lake Crabtree

A few weeks ago, I worked a Saturday morning for one of my partners. After work, I told Todd that I wanted to do something fun, outside, as a family. Apparently, Todd had already talked to the kids about going to the lake to rent a canoe. Brett was determined that he did NOT want to go, but we finally convinced him it would be fun. We got there and they told us that we had to take 2 canoes, so Kate and I took one while Brett and Todd took the other. Everything was fine, we were paddling around the lake. Brett decided that he liked it, but Kate was getting less sure. The current was really strong that day and it was really windy, so it was a pain in the neck to get back to the shore, but we finally did :) I think Brett would go again, but I'm not so sure that Kate feels the same way! Ha!

Once Brett got used the feeling of the canoe rocking, he was read to go!

Kate and Mommy - soaking up the sun!

Hanging out in the top of the boat house!

Life & Science

I finally decided to take advantage of a bum morning at home and catch up on the blog. Honestly, the biggest reason that I blog in the first place is so that I have something documented for the little things that I know I'll forget. I try to do a Shutterfly book for each year. Right now, I haven't finished 2010 yet - eek! At least I have the blog to go back and remember what we did two years ago :)

Anyway, here is a little glimpse of our day at the Museum of Life & Science back in June. Brett was still in school, so this was just Kate and I!

Kate loved the butterfly house - we went twice!

We totally lucked out and got to see them shave the sheep that morning.  I have to say, it was pretty cool to watch!

That sheep was NOT happy.

Wow - what a difference!

Checking out the dinosaur trail - Kate really liked the T. Rex

Digging for fossils

Of course, we went on a train ride

And played in the spray area - all of the pulleys and pulls and whatever-they're-called - pretty cool

Using those muscles!  She was mad that we didn't have her swimsuit!

Banging on the drums, just like daddy and her godmother, Aunt Dithy!

My potater - such a big girl :)

Learning about tornandoes

Building tall towers with the Keva blocks with mom

Back to the butterfly house!

She was more fascinated with the fish than the butterflies at this point :)

Party like a Pirate!

We're still here, just insanely busy working 50+ hour work weeks and party planning in every ounce of spare time.  Check out the Birthday Party link up top to see what fun things I've found on line!  It's only 4 weeks until Kate's FIFTH birthday party!!  How in the world is my baby almost 5?!?!

Kindergarten, Before and After

What a fun year it has been! He's learned to write, he's learned to read, and he's awesome at math! He learned about God and he learned how to be a good friend. I love this kid and his enthusiasm! That's a wrap, folks!! It's on to SUMMER!

1st day of School - August 24, 2011

Last day of School - June 8, 2012

Sweet Summertime!

Since Kate is already out for the summer, and I'm off work on Tuesday, and Brett is still in school, she and I took advantage of an un-planned day and went to the Museum of Life & Science. There are a ton of pictures, but this one just cracked me up. I'll upload the rest later :)