Charleston Vacation

Living in Charleston and vacationing in Charleston can be two totally different things. The day to day grind (and two little ones) usually takes me away from the museums, restaurants, and other sight seeing opportunities. Of course, I always make time for the beach and water parks, but it has been a little more difficult this summer with Corinne and Sam. This week Roman needed to be in Georgia for some training, so Pappy and gj made the trek once again to help out. We truly made the week a Charleston vacation and enjoyed every aspect of our historic town.

Mom and I tried the aquarium but were not impressed. For the price, it wasn't nearly hands on enough for a 2 1/2 year old. Sam loved it, viewing the fish Bjorn-style. He was wide awake for the entire 2 hour trip. Many days he was determined to hang out with big sister even at the water park, Splash Zone. The Charleston Children's Museum was another morning. I'd forgotten how fun that place is (and how small!). Pappy and gj love their sugar, so each day held some element of a cookie, ice cream, key lime pie, or dinner dessert. Corinne came to know these as 'special snacks' and tried to talk us into one at every opportunity.

We even all went on a 'road trip!' to historic Beaufort where I was able to catch up with my college friend, Britney and son, Ryan. The annual lunch at Plums was yummy. Ryan tried to order a baby brother, but Britney wasn't buying!

Sam puts on a pirate face. Arghhh!

Other events on the agenda: face decorating,

tea parties,

and neighborhood swimming pools.

Corinne really loves the water again this year. She has been busy watching a few of her older friends go under the water and dive for rings, jump in, and simply swim in the pool. She gets more and more brave with each visit. Today she attempted to pick up diving rings herself by holding her breath underwater for several seconds. I'm thrilled and anxious for her for each attempt. Next up, swimming lessons!

Pappy and gj, I'm sending the key lime pie, cookies, homemade ice cream and other sundries your way. My waistline is complaining. :-) Thanks for such a great time.

I saw "Bread"

What's This???

Some may think that it's just bread with the centers munched out, but oh how you are wrong. It's more than that! The story goes...

This morning I took Corinne to daycare. On Mondays we usually pack her some foodstuffs to supplement for some of the items we don't like to give her that daycare provides (in this case wheat bread as opposed to white bread).

Corinne, being her little independent self, is insistent that she help all of the time. For example, she wanted to carry her food to school this morning. I pulled into the parking lot and could smell that the wheat bread had been opened. I went to get Corinne out of the car and there she was, making jewelry. Yep, she had eaten the centers out of the bread and was proudly wearing them like bracelets on her arms. It took some creative negotiating to have her give them up!

Let's see what tomorrow brings. Can she make a hat out of a smoothie?

3 Months!

Sam has now hit the 3 month mark, that magical month where life seems to wind down from the newness of a newborn and sleeping increases for everyone. He is such a happy little boy always content where you place him as long as you chat with him. Big sister is a hit, too, evoking many giggles when she starts kissing his toes and playing tickle monster.

Alas, I am still trying to figure out our new camera. When we catch a good pic, it's really good, but many of them turn out blurry. Roman thinks there could be a problem with the camera; I say it's user error. Therefore, some of the photos don't live up to their potential, but we're working on it.

Almost caught that grin!

Last night da Joyners visited with baby Ava. I swear Sam knew that he had a playmate over and it wasn't just a friend of Corinne's! He laughed and kicked and cooed totally turning on the charm for the little miss.

Big sister was a big help with both babies.

Have a great week!

Happy Father's Day

Well, as usual, I'm a day late and a dollar short, but I wanted to post a huge thank you to Roman. He's a wonderful, hands-on Dad who delights us all. Hope you enjoyed your day.

Love, us.

My Old Kentucky Home

Weeee're baaaack from the annual summer trek to KY. The kids did great in the car. We had the DVD player ready for emergency backup but did not actually need it. I think breaking up our trip in Asheville both coming and going made a huge difference. It was also a great opportunity to catch up with friends.

Harlan teaches Corinne the art of strumming.

Sam had started sleeping through the night just before we left. He continued part of the way into our trip, then reverted to his old nighttime routine. Of course, Mommy is crossing her fingers that he picks it back up now that we're home again. There was no shortage of arms and shoulders ready to soothe Sam over the week.

My cousin, Laura Jo and her son, John, soak up some Sam for the day. Thanks for making the trip up from Tennessee! It was great seeing you.

Pappy holds Sam in his favorite spot, the outdoor swing.

Look at that grip. "Don't go anywhere, gj!"

My cousin, Shane and his wife, Crystalin, had baby Ethan in January. Uncle Steve and Aunt Laura motored from Tennessee so we could enjoy him for the day. I kept trying to get that gorgeous grin, but he was on to me.

What's summertime without a huge tub of bubbles? Corinne finally figured out how to make the soapy water produce a bubble!

Where's the stick?!

Inside, outside, upside down!

Maren shows off her big wheel skills.

The girls really had a good time playing all week. We were more than happy to have them burn off all of that homemade ice cream by burning up the pavement after dinner.

Corinne has already been telling me to "go back, Mommy, go back!" We had such a great time and thanks to everyone for visiting with us!

Trial Run

This weekend we're getting ready to pack the kids and head to Kentucky. While we plan to stop in Asheville on the way to break the trip, we are still sweating the drive with 2 under 2. Yesterday I got to test their road-trip skills for a quick trip down to Hilton Head.

You know true friends when you haven't seen them in years but can sit right down with them and continue a conversation as if it was yesterday. Well, my college friend, Resa, is just one of those friends. She and her family are vacationing at Hilton Head this summer, and I couldn't pass the chance to visit. Here I go with my little crew for a 2-3 hour drive to and from for a few hours of catching up!

The day went perfectly and the kids were true road warriors! Let's hope it holds for the weekend.

Resa's children, Hannah and Clark, along with their cousins, really welcomed Corinne and helped keep an eye on her for me.

Clark warms up with the boogie board

Clay (cousin), Hannah, and mad Sam

Beach queen

Here's to friends!

Sam Speaks

I've been working hard to snap a shot of Sam grinning but got even luckier when he decided to start chatting with me also. He's very laid back and only fusses when he's ready for a new venue. I thought you might enjoy a few of his first sounds. Proud Mama thinks he's a Pat Conroy in the making with his storytelling! :-)

Enjoy!