Memorial Day Memories

This Memorial Day weekend is a little different for me. Trey is traveling for work so it is just me and AC. We decided to stay in town and have some QT together. So, we decorated for the weekend (putting flags outside), played outside in our playhouse and of course, went swimming! Ann Charlotte learned how to swim! With her swimmies on she was hopping in the pool and swimming to the side. Man, they grow up fast!





I found this blog that has some AMAZING pictures of soldiers' homecomings. While we remember the fallen we also thank the serving. These made me cry! There are four sections so scroll through!

http://thepioneerwoman.com/photography/2010/05/coming-home

I will update the post tomorrow if we have any other Memorial Day photos!

Enjoy your day off and remember our troops!

The Beach and Bimming Bool

Yes, that is where we spent most of our vacation. So, Ann Charlotte is 21 months old and our vocabulary consists of: Mommy, Daddy, Cat, JuJu, Choo Choo, Bubbles, Baby, Juice, Cracker, Trey (for Trey McDonald, not her dad), backpack, bird and a few others. However, it was no trouble at all for her to say bimming bool and she wanted to be in the water every second of the day. Ann Charlotte LOVED the "bimming bool" and she LOVED the ocean. She was fearless. We had a wonderful trip!

80 Wonderful Years

We had a wonderful birthday luncheon for my Grandmother. Happy 80th Birthday! I love you so much!

In 1930- the year that my Grandmother was born:
Life expectancy for a man was 58 years old and a woman was 61
Average salary: $1,368
Quart of milk: $.14
Loaf of bread: $.09
Postage stamp: $.02

In 2010:
Life expectancy for a man is 75 years old and a woman is 80 (Grandmother, don't worry-you still have many more years to go :)
Average salary: Not sure but a lot more than $1,300
Gallon of milk:$3.50ish
Loaf of bread: $2.30
Postage stamp: $.44

Wow, you have seen a lot of change but you haven't changed that much. You are still a beautiful woman inside and out. Happy Birthday!

The Things We Do For Love

I was on a quest to find the perfect playhouse for the perfect price for the perfect little girl (hee, hee). Acey and Cat (my parents) wanted to get it as an early birthday gift for Ann Charlotte so we could use it all summer. Mission accomplished! However, the Costcos in Memphis were sold out and the nearest one was Brentwood. No problem, we will take a family trip to Nashville to visit Clint and Lymari and pick up the playhouse. Wrong...the great flood came the weekend we were supposed to pick it up.

So today was the day. Trey's plan was to assemble the playhouse and get 18 holes of golf in before we leave tomorrow for vacation. Here is a progression of the day:

8:00am- Ann Charlotte is so excited to see the box in the house (she has been eyeing it all week in the garage)

8:15am-Trey had already broken a sweat but the pieces were coming together.

10:45am-Trey had gone to play golf and AC was admiring her two new walls.

2:00pm-No change in the structure because Dad was still on the course. However, AC woke up from her nap and while I was changing her clothes she took off to go see the progress (hence the diaper).

5:00pm-Everyone is back home and back to work. AC is making sure Dad is getting it just right.

8:00pm-Just before bedtime AC takes one last look. She LOVES what she sees! She doesn't even notice that there is not a roof yet. I think these pics say it all!


8:30pm-it is raining, Trey is exhausted but he keeps going! However, one photo had an obscenity in it so I couldn't post it. He gave me a kind hand gesture as I was snapping pictures.


9:30pm-13 hours later-AC is dreaming of sugarplums and FINALLY-we have a playhouse!
Oh, the things we do for love. I can't wait to see her play in it tomorrow morning! It will be so worth it! Okay now I have to pack!

Carpe Diem-Seize this Glorious Day

Zippity Doo Dah Zippity Ay
My oh my what a wonderful day.
Plenty of sunshine heading my way.
Zippity Doo Dah Zippity Ay

That sums up our day! Ann Charlotte went to school this morning which she has grown to love (thank heavens). Then we met our Stroller Strides buddies Sloan and Bobbi at the Zoo. The girls had a blast! Sloan taught Ann Charlotte to act like a monkey-it was so cute! The girls are just a few weeks apart and it is so fun to watch them interact.


We were so hot from the Zoo that we came home and played in the sprinkler. Who needs expensive toys when you have a water hose!


Then it was off to watch daddy play softball! The team lost but we had a fun time! (Yes, Trey's shirt says "Old Zinnies". He plays on the Zinnies softball team. For those of you who are out-of-towners this is a college bar that we frequented often pre-AC. Funny, I know!)

Whew! We are pooped but we definitely seized the day and it was PERFECT! Carpe Diem and my oh my what a wonderful day!

Happy Mommy's Day

Happy Mother's Day or Mommy's Day if you have been around Ann Charlotte recently. She loves saying "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!"

Over the last two years this holiday has taken on an extra-special meaning. Now I understand why one day is completely devoted to all that mommys do! Thank you to all of the mommys out there! You taught us so much and you continue to teach us everyday.
Moms teach us:
How to share...how to love...how to be loved...how to care for others...how to take care of ourselves...how to love Jesus...how Jesus loves us...how challenges make you stronger...how loosing makes you a winner (eventually)...how people let you down...how you forgive those people and learn from them...how a mom is always there, even when you don't want her to be...how mom is still there when you need her the most!
We are so blessed to have such wonderful mamas!
Mom, thank you for all that you have done for me over the years! You continue to be a wonderful role model for me and you are such a fun-loving Acey!
Thank you Mrs. Judy for raising such a wonderful son and being such a loving mother-in-law and grandmother!
We love you both so much!

TGIF

In 1988 TGIF meant school was out for the weekend and it was time to watch Full House and Family Matters. In 1998 TGIF meant classes were out and we were headed to a fraternity party (after midnight of course.) In 2010 TGIF means "daddy" is home for the weekend and we can all let loose!

Tonight we had some dear friends over for dinner. The night started calm as the children held hands to say the blessing.

As the night progressed, our entertainment began. Our entertainment is a lot different from TGIF on ABC and Super T at the Sigma Chi house. It is so much better! Wow, God is good. (By the way, our house was empty by 8:45pm and we were all headed to bed!)

Ann Charlotte's Leading Men

There is one thing that Ann Charlotte has down pat...melting her granddaddy's hearts! Here are a few of my favorite pictures that have been taken in the process. "Cat" (my Dad) was one of the first words that she said. Granddaddy (Trey's Dad) was with her for her very first steps-just the two of them! We love you Cat and Granddaddy!

Dancing Queen

Most of you know that Trey and I enjoy dancing, but to say that we are good at it or even okay at it would be a stretch! Also, as most of you know we need a little liquid courage before we can really preform well.

Thus, dancing is not hereditary! Take a look at Ann Charlotte on the front row of Lu Lu's in Gulf Shores. Yes, she is up past dark. Yes, she is in a bar (really a restaurant), and yes she is showing the entire restaurant her moves. If I may brag...the girl has rhythm. Perhaps she gets her moves from her grandparents.

Who me? A mom that brags? No way!?

Okay, I have figured out a solution!

I realized that I only log on to to Facebook to see friends pictures and to brag and post my own. So, I think that a blog will be a much better avenue for this prideful mom. It is amazing how you want to show off your kids and brag about what they are doing. I swore that I would never be "that mom" but I am afraid that I am. So, visit our blog when you want to see what we are up to. I know that all of my "friends" on Facebook will be glad that fewer pictures of Ann Charlotte will be posted from here on out (I think).

So, I will start by bragging on "My Everythings" (or so I like to call them)! Trey and Ann Charlotte are just too cute together. Since his last journey out of the country for work she has become even more attached to daddy. Here is a picture of the two of them at the beach last week. There is just something about daddys with their daughters.

This past weekend Ann Charlotte went to her first Tea Party (okay, let's be realistic, her mom has never been to a Tea Party but this was adorable!) Anna Prescott Smith (Betsy's middle child-yes, she has three) turned two and had "Tea for Two." It was "two" cute! Here are a few pictures from the production. It was so much fun! They even had real tea cups!



I had such a good time I can't stop smiling (or "showing my teeth" as we call it). Happy Birthday Anna Prescott! I can't wait to be roomies at UT :)