Less Than 24 Hours

Until Daddy lands in Memphis! He just boarded the plane in Sydney headed to the US. Whew, two weeks is a VERY LONG TIME! I know that he is SO excited to see Ann Charlotte (and me too, of course) and she has been saying "daddy?" over and over (note the question mark because that is exactly how she says it). She changes so much every day. Trey may not recognize his girls with their new haircuts (AC and Sadie) or our house (I did some rearranging one day when Mom was here)but we can't wait!Here are a few things we have been up to while Daddy has been away.


It was almost too hot everyday to play in the playhouse but somehow AC talked me into it one afternoon.


Ann Charlotte and Elenor were taking care of their babies while friends were playing in the sprinkler to keep cool at the Stockburgers.

Sadie got a haircut! Poor thing.


Ann Charlotte telling Elmo what to do-yes, she even tells Elmo "no".

Daddy is Down Under

"Daddy" is in Australia for a few weeks and we are keeping busy! We went to Savannah for the first part of the week to visit. Ann Charlotte was able to test drive a new ride that she may get for her birthday. Wal-Mart is the happening place in Savannah, Tennessee. I was home for two nights and I made three trips.

Ann Charlotte loves Acey's tub because it make bubbles!

We returned home last night and Ann Charlotte and Sadie ended up in the bath together. You DON'T want to know what happened before this picture-but the picture is cute nonetheless. (If you are curious it involves the very early stages of potty training, potty mishaps, and a curious canine.) Oh my!

Today was another busy day. Ann Charlotte went to "school" and then we got our second/first official haircut! It was in desperate need of some TLC. Thanks to the feedback on Facebook, we found Ci Ci at All Seasons Beauty Parlor. We were the only clients under 85 but Ci Ci was awesome and did a great job on AC's new 'do.



Later on we attempted to catch lightening bugs but were unsuccessful. Here is Ann Charlotte in action. I guess the lightening bugs at our house are in college-they don't make an appearance until the wee hours of the night. The "dusk party" must be old hat-they want to be fashionably late.


So far our "girls only" time has been great. We just wish Daddy was home to share in all of the fun!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Tonight was Ann Charlotte's first baseball game and I think that she is a Redbirds fan! Lindsey and I took Will and Ann Charlotte for a night out downtown (the dads are in a golf tournament out of town and so we were feeling adventurous). There was a wonderful breeze and the kids loved it. I don't think they were winning when we left but we didn't care one bit!

Let me root, root, root for the home team,
If they don't win it's a shame.
For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out,
At the old ball game. Go Memphis Redbirds!

Let Freedom Ring

Wow-what a perfect weekend. The weather was perfect. The family-time was perfect. The drinks were perfect. The lake was perfect. The Collier's band party and fireworks were perfect. It could not have been a more perfect weekend to celebrate our country.

We went to the cabin with Acey, Cat, Grandmother and Daddy Bob and we had a surprise visit from Aunt Sandra, Uncle Joey and Chase (and friends). What fun! It was just like I was 12 years old but even better because Trey and Ann Charlotte were there too!

Ann Charlotte LOVED the lake which she was sure was a gigantic Bimming Bool! She even swam in it a little! A great time was had by all and here is the weekend captured by the camera.












Happy Birthday U.S.A.! We are SO proud to be Americans! Let Freedom Ring!

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