100 Degrees=Zoo??

Crazy idea-right? When I first thought of it I wondered if it was consiered child abuse? Believe it or not- we had a blast!

Yesterday afternoon I decided that Miss Ann Charlotte and I needed a break. I don't know if it is the heat or the terrible twos approaching but we needed to get out of the house and get away from time-out (she spent most of Monday in time-out laughing-she thinks it is hilarious! Whew!). I had read on a blog that this week members at the Zoo ride the rides for free. I didn't even know these rides existed but it was so much fun! We rode the choo choo train around the "farm" multiple times and then the merry-go-round and AC rode the boats all by herself. It was a perfect mother/daughter day!

One side note-I don't recommend the Zoo on "Free Tuesdays." We did not realize that we picked the free day to go-but at least on free day no one was paying to ride the rides so we had them all to ourselves! The promo for members to ride free goes through June 27th. I highly recommend it! Choo choo...all aboard!







By the way-I know that she doesn't look too happy in the pictures, but I assure you she had a great time!

Happy Daddy's Day

Our morning started with me trying to teach Ann Charlotte to say "Happy Daddy's Day" (I knew that she wouldn't understand what father meant). Then I remembered a quote that I framed for my dad that said "Anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a DAD." This is so true! Trey, thank you for all that you do for Ann Charlotte (and Sadie). We are all so lucky to have you!

You...
show her patience when mommy's patience has run out.
make her feel so special when she "makes" you laugh.
always know just what to do to distract her from her "little" fits.
laugh when she tickles you.
love her so much!
are one amazing DAD!



















And to our dads-thank you for all that you have taught us. You are both very strong men who have been wonderful role models for us. We have big shoes to fill! We love you and Happy Daddy's Day!

Three Bathing Beauties

Adorable! Eugenia Chandler, Ann Charlotte and McLean Thompson all showed up at the pool in the same suit. They are just too cute!

Llama Llama Love

If you have toddlers, then you are probably familiar with Baby Llama and Mama Llama. If you are not-they are FABULOUS books! We have them all and they are my favorites! They are so fun to read because they rhyme (of course) and kids LOVE them (this kid anyway). Also, from her website I found out that Llama Llama Holiday Drama will be out in the fall! Yippee!

So for the past few nights we have read Llama Llama Red Pajama-which is about Baby Llama going to bed-getting a little scared and "weeping, wailing for his mama." After the "Llama Drama" is over he kisses Mama Llama goodnight. When I turn the page to the kiss Ann Charlotte leans up and kisses me before I even read it. It MELTS my heart! I decided to take a few pictures tonight after we read our two (or five tonight) books.

The page with the kiss

Coming in for the kiss

Reading it just one more time before bed

Fashionista

That is right-AC is 21 months old and she is already a model (um, well in a fashion show). JuJu was in charge of a Carnival fashion show today at the Racquet Club and Ann Charlotte stole the show!

When she tried on the dress she couldn't stop looking in the mirror and smiling (I wonder where she gets it??) So, here are a few pictures from today's event. She did great-hopefully this is an indication of how she will perform as a flower girl in October (Amanda and Nick-I will be working on it!)

Three people that we love very much


Walking with Daddy waiting on the show to begin

Acey and JuJu trying to keep AC awake-it was WAY past her nap time and we had a full morning at VBS

AC after three apple juice boxes

Stealing the show with Daddy


All of this equals one proud Mommy! We are proud of you bug!

11 Days is a LONG time

Trey has been in beautiful Geneva, Switzerland and boy are we ready for daddy to get home!

Tonight we painted him a welcome home banner and then had fun rinsing off. Acey is in town to "play" and so she was able to capture the moment!

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!