Memorial Day Weekend

Brad was on call this weekend. After a day at the waterpark I knew better than to venture out alone with the girls on a busy Memorial day weekend. I decided to play it safe and just go to my parents to swim. Iris with her triple layers of safety: swimmies, tiger float and Nana. Hoarding all the pool toys...

I love that she loves hats!

Boodles loved the water too!

We swam Saturday and Sunday so by the time Monday came around I thought we should stay out of the sun. We pretty much stayed home and had a lazy day. Iris helped me pick a few vegetables from our garden.

Isabella tried to stuff herself into my linen cabinet. She loves to open it up and pull all the folded towels out. Today she was persistent in climbing in though....

1st Day of Summer

Since Iris graduated on Thursday, Friday was technically our first day of summer vacation. I decided we should do soemthing fun to celebrate so I took the girls to the waterpark. NOT an easy task! Iris is going through a "scaredy cat" stage with water so she wanted me to hold her hand and be right beside her when playing. It's sweet but not easy to do when I also have to carry Isabella. Here's Iris practicing her "swimming."

Not really swimming. More like crawling with her hands... Of course taking pictures with two kids at the waterpark is near impossible. These and a snack time picture were all I could manage. When it was time to go Iris had a meltdown. She flat out refused to leave. I forgot to bring the stroller and there was no way I could carry the beach bag, Isabella and a kicking and screaming Iris. I started to panic but then I spotted an ice cream cart near our chairs. I promised Iris ice cream if she would put her shoes on so we could go. Again, she said no and refused. Luckily, they also had these crab shaped lollipops. Luckily that did the trick. After some bribing with the lollipop we were on our way.

That smirk is because she knew I was outnumbered and in public and therefore she was going to win. I'm such a sucker!

Iris' Graduation

Iris graduated from the "2's" on Thursday. It was a sad day. We really loved her teachers this year and Iris loves going to school. She only went two days a week but asked almost every morning if we were going to see Mrs. Giddens and Ms. Weese. Here she is with her diploma and her teachers, Mrs. Giddens and Ms. Weese.

Congratulations Iris!

Bug Fun!

No, not the outdoor kind of bug. The girls woke up Monday with a stomach bug. Isabella threw up during breakfast and I won't even describe what was going on with Iris. I had them all dressed and looking cute because my plan was to go to the aquarium. That plan was quickly out the window. They acted fine other than the stomach issues. I decided we should at least go outside and get some fresh air for a bit. Iris helped me water my garden... while Isabella enjoyed the swing. She's doing great at walking....

I had to use threats to get this picture. It was worth it though!

We were outside for maybe 20 minutes. Then it was back inside for more Pedialyte and one more throw-up by Isabella. After that it was lounging on the couch and cartoons for the rest of the day.

Boating

As if Friday and Saturday were not enough fun, Sunday morning Brad announced that we were going on a family boat trip. "Oh my," was all I could think. The girls ready to go....

Isabella watching Iris "fish." Isabella: Ugghhh, mom? I don't think she's really going to catch a fish with that rope..."

After some "fishing" we played in the water for a little while. I could have had some really cute pictures of the girls in the water. It's just too hard to keep your eyes and hands on a 1 and 2 year old in the water and take pictures at the same time. It took both of us to keep up with them. I did get some snack pictures though...

Iris agreed to say "Cheese" but refused to take the CapriSun out of her mouth.

Boodles all bundled for the ride home. It was her first time on the boat. She did great and seemed to really enjoy it. I thought maybe she's sleep on the way home but, no way. She stayed awake for the whole ride.

Wearing Them Out...

On the way home from Tryon we stopped at the park to wear them out for the ride home. Just a few cute pictures to share.... Isabella loves a swing! Ta Da!

The slides were too hot and you can only swing for so long so it was a quick stop. It worked well though. They both slept almost the whole way home.

Isabella is 13 months!

Isabella is 13 months and this picture says it all! She is constantly on the go. She just started walking this week. She walks all around the house by herself. Well, at least until Iris zooms past her and knocks her down.

New things she is doing:

says "up"

waves bye bye

claps

loves to copy you if you nod your head

cries if you tell her "no"

loves to go in our room and slam the door shut, then cry because she can't get out. She will do this over and over again!

She LOVES if you sing Baah Baah Black Sheep. She immediately smiles and nods her head and says "baah, Baah."

Imagination Movers Concert

This weekend was the much anticipated Imagination Movers Concert! It was in Spartanburg so Mom and I took the girls up to Tryon early Friday morning. The plan was to get there in time for naps since it would be a late night. Luckily, that went well and everyone woke up in good moods and ready for the concert.

The girls in their Warehouse Mouse shirts ready to go!

Not sure why we are smelling a leaf???? I made a Warehouse Mouse T-shirt for Isabella and a Movers suit for Hank and Iris. Then, I was worried about it being too hot so I made Iris a T-shirt at the last minute. (Thanks for driving while I finished it mom!). It was a waste of time though. She would wear her blue Movers suit if it was 100+ degrees. No one ever saw her T-shirt. Oh well, it made for some cute pictures!

We ran into the Sanders in the parking lot. This is about the cutest picture I have ever seen. I'm not sure Hank knew what to do when Iris held his hand. Too cute!

Ready and waiting for the concert to start.

At first Iris was a little timid and just stood and stared. Eventually she started dancing in the aisle...

...and then she was off. She rushed the stage with the rest of the kids.

I spent the rest of the concert sitting on my knees in the aisle with some other parents just trying to keep an eye on her. At times all I could was her hairbow. She was pretty bold. She would push her way up to the stage and dance.

After the concert we went backstage for an afterparty and to meet the Movers. I'm not sure who this girl is on the left but I do know she had the "real" Movers suit that cost $75.00. I think Iris and Hanks look pretty close and for a 1/3 of the price! Yeah Mommy!

The Sanders Family trying to convince Smitty they need to come to Charleston next year...

Isabella and Scott...

I think his excitement was too much for her. That and it was way past her bedtime!

Iris and Dave...

Genevieve from Choo Choo Soul was there also. We snuck in a quick picture with her as well.

Then each family had a chance to get their picture taken with the whole group. This is my favorite. I think it turned out great! The concert was a blast! We will certainly be back next year whether they are in Spartanburg or Charleston. They are super nice guys. They took their time and talked to everyone. I would recommend anyone with young kids to go see them. It was well worth the drive. The VIP passes for the good seats and the backstage party were well worth the money too.

Road Trip- Indiana

We drove to Indiana last week. Brad's cousin, Gavin, got married on Saturday. The girls did really great on the drive. Poor Isabella had to endure the trip still in her baby carseat facing backwards. She meets the age requirement but she has to be 20 pounds to ride in a forward facing seat. I'm not sure when that will be?! It was a busy trip and I did not take a ton of pictures but I did mange to get a few. I wanted both girls to sit with Nana but they were not coopertaing so we did individual photos... What a sweet smile! I then tried to get the girls together but that was unsuccessful...

I said "hold her", not "strangle her!"

"Don't squeeze her, just put your arm around her...."

Ugghhhh!!! I give up!

Friday night we had a birthday dinner for Isabella. Lauren and Byron. Isabella had her own little smash cake. Yeah! I was able to get some smash cake photos since my fondant cake didn't exactly "smash."

Digging in....

There we go! That's the picture I was looking for!

After Isabella's mess it was time for Lauren's cake. This one we all got to eat too. It was delicious, the best chocloate cake I have ever had! Iris was super excited about the cake (as you can see). As soon as we were done singing Happy Birthday she took her fork and stuck it straight into the cake for a taste. Byron did not have a cake and I forgot to take a picture of him. Sorry! We had plenty of sweets and he got to go on a cruise the next week so I'm sure he had plenty of good food and sweets on his birthday cruise.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Lauren, Byron and Isabella!