Well, That Happened: Summer 2013 Edition

Summer is over. Today is the last day of Ginny first week of 1st grade. Yeah.  

I had all sorts of great plans for summer. We were going to go to the Splash Pad (We did -- once.), the zoo (twice), the Frist Center (nope), the movies (twice)... basically I thought we would get out of the house and go somewhere new and exciting at least once a week. Realistically speaking that's the most I can handle. Actually, that isn't true. As it turns out, realistically speaking, all I can handle is taking Ginny to her allergy shot once a week and doing my grocery shopping at Walmart (*SIGH*). Is it crazy and terrible that I hate leaving my house? It's not like I'm a hermit or anything. I just hate driving and when we go out somebody always misses a nap or a snack and someone (or everyone) always ends up crying and, I don't know about you, but that really kills my buzz. People don't say that, do they? Whatever. It stinks. 

We did manage to have a little fun (mostly accidental), despite my failures as an activities coordinator. And since I finally got a smartphone (WHOO-PA-DEE-DOO!) I actually took pictures of some of it. Ah, the wonders of this modern age. 

We met Granny for dinner at Cracker Barrel when Trav was out of town.

We went to the Splash Pad and Livy wore her green hat.

I took Ginny to the movies a couple of times. She loved it. And ate a lot of popcorn.

We saw Aslan at Goodwill. 

 We (okay, just Ginny) played with inchworms. 

We took silly selfies.

See? Even Alice thinks it's best if we just stay home.

We (okay, just Ginny again) played Fairy Princess.

 Cora... well, I don't really know what to say about this.

Livy had bed-head...

... and read books with Sissy. And yes I am going to paint the girls' room. But not in either of those colors. And I don't know when. Eventually.

Also, it rained. It rained a lot. And I got trapped in my car, in my own drive-way, with a sleeping toddler and the only reasonable thing to do was to just wait for it to clear up. So I took pictures with my phone and listened to the BBC A History of the World in 100 Objects podcast. Nerd alert.

This darling girl was serving salt and pepper to her baby doll, and talking so sweetly to her. Actually, that was my blond, blue-eyed baby doll when I was a little girl. Who'd have ever imagined that I would one day have a blond, blue-eyed real baby of my very own?

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In Which We Celebrate

We had Olivia's birthday party yesterday -- not big or fancy, but she was surrounded and celebrated by people who love her, and after all, isn't that what we all really want on our birthdays?

 

 She got some help with her presents.

 Ginny made her a birthday crown.

There were babies...

 and great-grandparents.

And this happened. Strawberry cupcakes with fresh whipped cream. 

 

 Livy wasn't the only one who enjoyed them. (Sorry, honey. I had to.)

 

This was shortly before she picked up what was left of her cupcake, dropped it on the floor and said, "Uh-oh." I'm fairly certain what she meant was, "Thank you very much, Mama, but I think I've had enough."

I still can't really believe she's a year old. But we've partied, and her shirt says it's so. I think that makes it official.

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Grandma & Grandpa

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Our Easter Weekend

You know how it is with a new baby.  There are things that you want to do, and things that you need to do.  I wanted to make it to Easter Sunday services, but found that what we all needed, after a night of not much sleep, was a quiet day at home.  We did spend a very sweet Saturday with Travis' mom and sister and her family, though.  The weather was incomparable and the company was delightful.  

 

Ginny raced around grabbing eggs like it was an Olympic event and she was so excited that she found "the most" -- never mind that her only competition was a not-quite 10-month old who was more interested in tasting the eggs than hunting them.

 

This is why spring babies are more fun that winter babies.  The weather has been so beautiful ever since Olivia was born that I've been able to take her outside almost every day.  I don't think I left the house with Ginny for an entire month.

 Napping in the swing on Granny's porch.

Our family of 4

I hope your Easter was a blessed one, full of reminders of Christ's sacrifice for us and the miracle of New Life that it provides.  He is risen!  He is risen, indeed!

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Promises, Promises

I did promise you a Christmas post, didn't I?  Clearly, I cannot be relied upon to honor such vows in a timely fashion.  Nevertheless, here is a Christmas post.  I hope it meets with your approval.

Helping daddy with his birthday candles.

Decorating a birthday cake for Jesus with Granny on Christmas Eve.

The magic moment when she finds that her wishes have come true.

Christmas morning crafts

Cousins

We had a merry little Christmas.  I hope you did, too.

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