Better Late than Never....

I know it is pretty sad that this is all I have to offer from a 9 day trip...but unfortunately it is!  I do plan to try and redo the picture cd with all of my good pictures at some point in the future, but I feel it is most likely going to have to wait for a bit :)

WOW!  What can I say about this whirlwind tour of the Mediterranean?  It really was a trip of a lifetime and Jeff and I had a really fabulous time.  I can not go any further without saying thanks to EVERYONE who chipped in to keep the boys so we could have this opportunity!  (Preston only had to go to the emergency room once--for a staff infected boil?!?!  Thanks for not telling me 'til we got home!)

My favorite place was Cannes, France.  Hands down.  I could shop there all day---but would then have to come back and pick up some extra shifts :)  My one purchase for myself this trip was a French swimsuit I bought in Cannes that may not see the light of Squire Creek, HA!  And the water was GORGEOUS there--I have never seen anything like it.  Now, I've never been to the BVI or anything but I think Cannes would be in close comparison.

My least favorite place was Barcelona.  It was very urban and hip--but at the same time kind of seedy and dirty.  Granted, I may not hold Barcelona in much esteem because I was jet lagged during my visit AND I was randomly selected at their airport for a SCARY extra security search.  Maybe I should give it another try but really Barcelona just didn't float my boat.  (Except for the THREE H &M's!)

We had so much fun everywhere we went.  Hiking Mt. Vesuvius was super fun.  Our trip to the Tuscan countryside for a tour of a family winery with a traditional lunch was superb.  Rome was great--pictures can't do The Vatican City any kind of justice!  The weather was perfect.  The seas were calm.  The food was great. There was lots to do on the ship.  I wish I had my picutres of Jeff and I in floor length coats, fur hoodies and gloves in the "Ice Bar."  I even developed a little taste for Blackjack on this trip.....BUT but far the best part was spending time with Jeff just the two of us!

Like I said, hope to get more pics downloaded later but until then enjoy and I hope YOU are having a great summer :)

Peach Fest 2012-FINALLY!

Yipee!!  I've gotten my computer back!!  I used an old camera for pics of our cruise, and had them put on a picture CD.  The files must have been corrupted or something because I can't download them and they messed up my computer :(  However, it was not a virus and things SEEM to be back to normal....

So, until I can get some pics from our trip, here is a sampling from the Peach Festival last weekend.  Jeff and I ran the 5K in the morning--both with times indicative of being on vacation drinking wine every night-ha!  But it was fun and a great workout!  Resa was kind enough to come over at the crack of dawn so we could go run, and she joined us for the day.  Next was the parade and although John Cole was obviously not very interested P was having a ball!  His candy is still in Daddy's car and I hope I can make it disappear....

Next, we took P to K-K's because she took him to Lowe's to make a "Luxury Assault Vehicle" with a Madagascar theme.  K-K said it was pretty labor intensive (I've never done one with him!) but he came out with a great finished product and had a blast!

While he was doing that we took John Cole over to the diaper derby.  Now, I signed him up before we left thinking MAYBE he would be crawling becuase he is soooooo close.....but no cigar!  So, he just planked at the starting line :)  He was adorable though!

After a family lunch for all at the DawgHouse we ALL needed a nap!  I was barely up in time to get ready for Miss Louisiana that night. (Thanks again mom for going with me!) Miss Tech won Miss Louisiana so I'm hoping that's a start of great things for TECH this year....

More later....I hope.....

Mommy/Son Night Out

Admittedly, I may have devised the plan for Preston and my night out together because I will miss him SO when I am away from him!  I will miss John Cole too, of course, but I just needed an extra dose of Preston quotes to get me through :)

What a fun night out together we had--just the two of us!  We left right after nap, and headed straight to Dillards because I needed some makeup and a few things.   Preston did a great job shopping with me, and although I was not exactly relaxed, I was able to get done what I needed to :)

Next, we headed to McAllisters for a casual supper.  I am certain when I was naming off dinner options P thought "McAllisters" sounded like "McDonalds" thus why he picked it.....

Then, we headed to get some flowers for Ally, Georgia and Kennedy as we were going to watch their big dance recital.  P selected some sunflowers and I thought they were perfect as their costumes were yellow.  We then headed to the Civic Center for the show....and....WOW! is all I can say!!  I was certain I was going to be a little bored--just being honest--but it was such a precious, entertaining show.  We cheered for all our friends, and got to enjoy the Wizard of Oz storyline all the while.  I did not take any pics of the show....just enjoyed it :)  My favorite P quote of the night was when they turned on the smoke machine he said, "Mommy, where did all of that DUST come from?"  You think his mommy is a neatnik?????

And, of COURSE, after the show we waited where the girls come out to give out our congrats and flowers.  Preston was super excited about this, and I hope he is learning the lesson that girls like flowers :)  I included the pic at the end of Georgia and P making silly faces, because they are just 3 and when it comes down to it they are good, silly friends :) 

All in all it was such a great night!  Can't wait to be able to go on little solo outings with John Cole :)  Hope your weekend is going well!

John Cole-6 Months

 Happy 1/2 Birthday my sweet baby John Cole!  I just took you for your 6 month check-up today so I apologize for being tardy getting your stats posted.  And here they are:

Weight:  18 lbs 3 ounces  (75%)
Height:   27"  (75%)
Head Circuference 43.2 cm  (FINALLY up to 50%!)

John Cole, you are such a JOY!  I absolutely adore your ready smile, your gasping laugh and your sweet pinches :)  You have started eating baby food--I kinda drug my feet on that one we are gonna make up for lost time.  I mix rice with a fruit for breakfast and rice with a veggie for supper.  You have liked most everything so far, but I don't quite know how to explain to you that spitting at the table is NOT appropriate! 

You have started scooting backwards and I am happy and sad about that all at the same time.  Your brother is really going to have to watch where he puts his tiny Legos!  And how could I ever have been worried about your rolling ability?  You are such a little roly poly and can get what you want.

I wish I could boast you are on a perfect nap schedule...but you still kinda get them when you can.  Of course, your afternoon nap is usually at home in your crib, but sometimes you get a morning nap and sometimes you do not.  Sometimes you take a late afternoon catnap and sometimes when you are pooped I put you to bed for the night at 6:30.  You just roll with the punches......

Your brother and I made 1/2 birthday cupcakes for you on the 22nd...too bad you could not enjoy...but so very soon you'll be celebrating with your very own cake!  We all love you SO MUCH!

Spontaneous Beach Trip

Jeff and I are pretty much the polar opposite of spontaneous.  We do not make rash decisions.  We plan out our every move well in advance.  (ESPECIALLY ME!)  So, when Jeff came home last Tuesday night with a condo pulled up on his iPad that was available for the Memorial Day weekend--at a decent price--and said he wanted to get away I was super excited and said leave the details to me :)

The boys and I, and our sweet babysitter Miss Kelli, left Friday morning.  We have never taken a sitter to the beach before and I can say it was a success.  We all arrived in time to grocery shop, unload AND put in some pool time before the boys went to bed and we had dinner.  Jeff left after a loan closing he had Friday and unfortunately ran into some traffic so it was later when he got there but not too bad.

Saturday, Sunday and Monday we did--BEACH!  Kelli was a HUGE help with the kids just to have an extra hand and extra set of eyes with kids in the water.   Saturday night we had a date night, Sunday night we all had my favorite Southern Living Beach Shrimp on the patio (well, P had pizza--see above :), and Monday night we had family night out as Miss Kelli met up with a friend and they went to dinner.  We left at a pretty good hour this morning and had a great trip home.

Some highlights:

-John Cole was a PRINCE in the car.  No really, sometimes I don't konw how I got so lucky!  Now, he was a little fussier today than he was Friday but still all in all I can NOT complain
-The boys took their first bath together this trip.  They were both sunscreeny and sandy and I just wanted to knock out bathtime.  Can't WAIT til John Cole can sit up better and we can do double bath all the time!
-Preston is literally going to be a polician, lobbyist or something like that one day.  You can see he made friends with some big kids and talked them in to taking him on their paddleboard.  He LOVED it--made me a little nervous--but I was proud that he was willing to give it a go!  He also had a little girlfiend named Ella that was constantly by his side....precious!


Hope you all had a great weekend!  Happy (late) Memorial Day!

Season Complete

Well, tonight was Preston's last t-ball game.  John Cole and I sat this one out, but I hate I missed it because Jeff told me he hit the ball almost to the outfield!  I am so proud of him and his precious little team :)  Until next year....

First Pool Trip 2012

I have admitted on this blog previously that NO ONE is more excited when the pool opens than I.  I may or may not even have called yesterday to make SURE they did not have it open and were not advertising it....they do that sometimes!

So, completely in character I opened up the pool this morning with Theo's water aerobics workout.  Let me tell you, it was just that!  It was just me and Debbie VanDeVelde, and we rocked it.  I left refreshed and ready for my day. 

Preston was excited to attend two birthday parties today, and all the while Jeff was at Tech graduation giving away the tower medallion, so I was tired when we GOT to the pool.  But, I was so glad we went.  John Cole was a natural.  He was kicking his feet in the water and enjoyed his time with Mommy.  Preston, of course, was WAY to busy to have his picture made.  I was so proud of him because on the way there I asked him if he needed his little life vest floatie and he said he did.  Good decision making!  I will admit it was partly for me as this year is a whole new ballgame and I could not keep my eye on him the whole time because I was watching John Cole.  I am confident, though, that we will learn a new normal and have a great pool season :)

It sure was easy putting two tired boys to bed tonight!  Yay for summer!!