Preschool Mischief

Reid started back to school a few weeks ago and was so glad to see all his friends again. He is one of two boys in his class, and the two tend to get into trouble together consistently. Since entering K3, there is now a discipline system - card flipping. Green card = good behavior. Yellow card = warning. Red card = bad behavior.

Reid and Andrew tend to always have the same color card flipped each day. (I wonder why that is....?) So far we have had two red cards and one yellow one. On the most recent red card day, which was last Thursday, his teacher had taken a photo to show the moms at pickup. (Not to worry, Miss Ashleigh took the photo for amusement purposes only.... I think.) :)

Reid and Andrew's parents received a humorous email Thursday night with the photo below, after they had their cards flipped for spraying themselves and the entire bathroom with water during potty break:

Fun with Dawson

We recently started a date night swap with the parents of Reid's friend, Dawson. It was their turn for date night a few weeks ago, so Dawson got to come to our house. They had a blast! Lots of playing with cars, running around outside, sliding down the slide, and bouncing in the bouncy house. And of course, lots of Toy Story.

I didn't really intend to give them a bath but after playing (aka rolling around) in the sandbox, it was really necessary. There was so much sand in the bottom of the tub afterwards - it looked like we'd been at the beach.

What Happened to June?!?

I realize my last post was only on June 22nd, which wasn't all THAT long ago, but I feel like this summer is just flying by. What happened to June? Why do I feel so busy when I don't really have all that much going on?

Here's a rundown of what has happened since the last post (that I can remember!):
* Reid completed beginner swim lessons at the Y.
* I had lasik surgery on my eyes (6/25). YAY!
* I turned 32 (7/3).
* 4th of July.
* Two little boy birthday pool parties.

I'm sure there are other things... Here are some photos of all of the above, and then some, in no particular order.

Reid at Dawson's "Car Wash" birthday party. Yes, folks, those are blue spaghetti noodles (aka car wash brushes).

We gave Dawson a car wash curtain from Ikea for his birthday so he can have his very own car wash at his house. Reid freaked out and decided he wanted one, too, so we made a homemade one. It's still up 2 weeks later...

Me before the lasik surgery. Granted, I am not looking my best but I wanted to post the last photo of me in glasses for posterity. :)

The guys in their "chef" hats, which Reid decided to make out of dish cloths. They are making me a birthday cake (according to Reid).

My chef, with his "hat" and Spiderman outfit on. Who can say no to that face?

At the fountains downtown.

Yes, I told him not to climb the train...

My "birthday cake," a lemonade cheesecake-type pie. It was quick, easy, and yummy. :)

Fireworks on July 3rd. Ross and Reid watching the sky together.

I didn't take any official photos of Reid during swim lessons - they were chaotic enough without that - but I did want to document the day he played with markers about 30 seconds before we walked out the door.

Yes, that was my child in the creek downtown. That's what the city of Greenville gets for not turning on the fountains when they are supposed to be on! Reid, Camryn, Ceci, and Gideon didn't seem to mind....

Reid and Gideon, a friend from school.

Gotta love it when you know your birthday gift was enjoyed. Our (former) next door neighbor, Reeves, turned 4 and we got him a bubble gun. I looked out that evening and saw this - later, his older brother preparing to try to slide down without breaking his neck. Don't worry, their dad is a doctor. (Actually, he's Reid's doctor...)

Reid also got a bubble gun - a big hit!

And it makes LOTS of bubbles!

Birthday Trip to Maine

My best friend and I have birthdays that are only a week or so apart and, as we have gotten older (and more "adult"), we have upgraded our birthday celebrations.

When we both lived in the same city, we loved celebrating and even once took each other on an all-day shopping trip. He bought what I wanted and I bought what he wanted. Come to think of it, that was pretty fun. :)

Five years ago, we drew a city out of a hat (okay, an ashtray at a restaurant) and decided to take a birthday trip to whatever city we drew. That year it was Providence, Rhode Island, which also included a day trip to Newport and a spur of the moment trip to Boston.

This year, we planned a trip to Ogunquit, Maine. What an beautiful little town. If I remember correctly from something I read during our trip, Ogunquit means "beautiful place by the sea." The trip was a quick one - Friday morning to Sunday afternoon - but it was a much needed one for both of us. (Ross and Reid stayed home while I was gone, but more on that later.)

There is so much I could say about the trip. It was relaxing and gorgeous and fun. The town was quaint, the seafood was good, and the locals are really awesome. And I got to have some one-on-one time with my friend of 14 years that I don't get to see nearly enough of. Happy (early) birthday, friend!

I totally want to go back. Here are select few of the photos from the trip. (There are many, many more...)

Here we are at dinner on the first night there. What a great night!

My absolute favorite pic from the trip, taken from our lighthouse boat cruise.

Nubble Light, the lighthouse we took the boat out to see. You can drive up fairly close to it, but the boat view is way better. :)

Also taken from the boat cruise... just the epitome of the trip. A sailboat on the water. So pretty!

Self photo taken on the boat.

Mom's Birthday Luau

My mom turned 50 this year, and my family threw a luau-themed party. The weather did not cooperate but we did not let a little (or a LOT) of rain slow us down. Lindy was in charge of pretty much everything and did a great job!

Reid and cousin Maggie. He always has such a great time with her, but it sometimes takes him a while to warm up to her since we don't see them very often. I don't think he'll forget her now, though, since he has dubbed her his "sister."

Love the lantern lights!

Reid discovered (virgin) daiquiris. I think it was the first time he was truly on a visible sugar rush. At last count, he had four of those daiquiris and he loved them!

Sweet Layla, my friend Kelly's little girl. Quite possibly the best baby I have ever met. I seriously forgot she was there for several minutes at a time, she was so quiet and happy. I told Kelly that I hoped she knew most babies were not like that and to enjoy it - Reid never let anyone forget he was there, and still doesn't!

I imported some of my friends to the party. Sunshine, Layla, Kelly and me - so glad you girls made the drive!

Some Things Just Don't Change...

We made the trip to Alabama for Easter, which was great (and with pics to follow soon). One perk of an extended trip home is that I can sometimes get the Ardmore girls together all in one place. They all pretty much live nearby, so I am the one that the outings get scheduled around.

We started this a few years back when several of us ran into each other at the Crape Myrtle Festival - I don't have to explain what that is to all you North Alabama people. :) We had a group lunch and fortunately have kept it up. A few times a year we are able to have dinner or meet at someone's house. This was the biggest group yet!

Here we are (clockwise from left): Me, Jessica Y., Laurie, Michelle, Donna, Jessica E., Erica, Rebecca, Karla, and Joni.

Some had to leave earlier than others, but the last of us stayed more than 3 1/2 hours. I have known many of these girls Kindergarten or so, so we can talk about most anything - or nothing - for hours. I'm sure people were looking at our table to see how much alcohol had been consumed and were surprised to see none. :) Can't wait to do it again!