. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amelia and her best friend Sarah just finished two weeks of swim classes. Thank goodness we had a second week to redeem ourselves from week 1. Let's just say that week 1 can be characterized by lots of crying and week 2, thankfully, by sweet laughing. What a difference a weekend can make!
Unfortunately, swim class came right after the girls woke up from afternoon naps... it takes them a little time to rev up. Day 1 started off with a bang - the girls loved class. It went downhill from there. Each day there was a bit more crying, running away, looking for moms, etc.
Catherine and I got smart for week 2! Our new plan - meet Kim (their swim instructor) at the pool entrance, say good-bye to the girls, and go hide in the "big" pool where little eyes couldn't find us. Kim was thrilled! Amelia and Sarah finally got with the program and actually had fun.
I'm amazed at what they learned in class. There's such a difference in Amelia before and after swim classes. She now willingly blows bubbles, puts her face in the water, and requests to "swim" instead of her favorite activity of jumping. I can't get over how deep in the pool she wants to go. I have a little fish on my hands!
All in all, we had a great two weeks. We don't know what to do with ourselves now that our lives don't revolve around the pool!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . We just got back from visiting Stephanie, Bill and their sweet Sophia at Holden Beach, NC.It was so wonderful to see them, as it has been way too long since our last visit.
Each year in June, Steph's entire family gathers for a week at the beach. The twelve of them have been going to Holden Beach - at the same perfect beach house - for over 20 years.
I was lucky enough to spend the day with the fabulousHylan clan last year and was thrilled to be invited back. This time Lee as able to come with Amelia and me. We made a weekend out of it, staying in Myrtle Beach and spending Saturday and Sunday with Steph and company.
Amelia and Sophia, Steph's little girl, share the same birthday - March 14 - one year apart. I can hardly remember Amelia at Sophia's age... boy, how time flies! Sophia is such a cutie. She kept us all laughing with her sweet noises and desire to eat sand.
Our surfer girl got a new "surfboard" this weekend. You may think it's a boogie board, but to her, it's the real deal. She's just starting to catch some waves - soon she'll be hang-tening!
This is Stephanie and Bill's last vacation before moving up North - way North to Alaska. Bill is being stationed in Fairbanks this August. They'll live there for a year before coming back down to the lower-48 when they'll move to Alabama. Talk about extremes!
It will be hard to have Steph so far away, but it does provide a great excuse to go to a state I've always wanted to visit.
Topsail Island was TOP fun! Our friends the Neals recently invited us to join their wonderful family for a few days at the beach. They had rented a house right on the ocean with a view that couldn't be beat. The fun started from the minute we got there Wednesday night and didn't end until the second we left Sunday afternoon.
The girls, Amelia and Sarah, were early risers - much to the dismay of their parents. There was no doubting that they wanted to get as much beach time in their day as possible!
After early breakfasts (ask Chef Lee about his yummy egg & bacon sandwiches!) the dads rushed out to stake our claim on waterfront... tent, umbrellas, chairs, towels, and monster sand piles... the Neal/Brinson group knew how to make their presence known. You should have seen the massive sand mountains Chris and Lee created. The girls couldn't have been happier climbing up and sliding down. Between digging, wave jumping, more digging, shell finding, swimming, even more digging, and crab watching, our little Wahinees kept themselves mighty busy. Don't let the pictures fool you - there were SMILES on their faces all day long!
When we weren't on the beach, we could be found at the local putt-putt testing our skills, sampling the local treats, and enjoying delicious meals thanks to our personal chef Catherine. For a 7-month pregnant gal, she never stops - the Engergizer bunny has nothing on her!
One evening saw an action-packed, highly competitive round of Taboo... the winner is still being determined. A dispute was filed by the Brinsons against the Neals for delay of game. Something about being tired due to an early-rising toddler and a pregnant wife was offered as an excuse... we're not buying it! Rematch!
All-in-all, it was the perfect beach weekend. The girls got along famously, the adults actually relaxed, the weather was beautiful... no one wanted it to come to an end. Thanks Neals for including us on your beach adventure. We had a blast! MermaidsSurfer GirlPutt-Putt Dancers
To see more photos from our beach adventure, click the link below...
"Every couple should have a signature party." - Tanya Freeman. The Freemans have fabulous annual Derby party. I've been going for ten years now, but it's been around much longer. .. We all get dressed up in our Derby finest - including hats, sample traditional Derby treats, and cheer on the ponies. The party has changed over the years as our families have all grown, but the event still remains a highlight of the year. . While we Brinsons are still searching for our "signature party," the Linkes have found theirs! This past weekend Dean and Leah held their second annual Corn Hole Tournament. A bunch of us gathered at Leah's Dad's home in Pittsboro for an afternoon of grilling, competing, and socializing. So much fun! .
Corn hole is bean bag toss game that you play in teams of two. Thankfully, it was a double-elimination tournament. My poor partner Keith - he had the misfortune of getting paired with a complete novice, me! While I had a few good practice tosses, I was no match for our competition. Like putting, you really need to learn the "touch" of your toss. I might find mine after about a 1,000 more tosses.
While the adults tossed bean bags, the kids played. Amelia couldn't have been happier to have partnered up with Shelby - one of her favorite friends. Much to their delight, Leah had sidewalk chalk waiting for them. As you can tell from these pictures, the girls had a ball!
Stay tuned for updates on whether we ever find our signature party... for now, it's still missing...
I just got my first hand-made gift from Amelia! Yesterday, she played at her friend Hugh's house and they painted flower pots. Caitlin, Hugh's Mom, is always coming up with fun activities. Amelia is pretty excited about the pot. She LOVES to water the flower! Let's hope it survives the flooding it frequently gets.
What could be more fun than sharing an ice cream with Dad?! Not much! Amelia and Lee were having way too much fun last night... I'm just glad they included me in their frivolities.
There's a new hot spot in Chapel Hill - LocoPops! They serve up wonderful hand-made popsicles in the craziest flavors... Mexican Chocolate, Pineapple & Blood Orange, Raspberry Hibiscus, Spiced Cherry Peach, to name a few. We'd never get Jon Kemp out of the shop... at $1.25 a pop, he'd have a ball tasting them all!
Amelia is a big fan of Very Berry and Cookies 'n Cream. I'm partial to Chocolate Brownie. Mexican Chocolate is another favorite... a bit of nutmeg and cinnamon to spice it up.
We met our playgroup at LocoPops the other day and it was a an instant hit. Not only did the kids love the pops, but the fountain/creek was irresistible!
Amelia can't wait to go back and she won't have to twist my arm.
For a few more pics from our first visit, click the thumbnail below...
Today we met the Butler's newest family member... their new puppy Georgia. She is such a sweet pup! They rescued her from an organization in South Carolina, bringing her home on Saturday. Three month old Georgia is part Golden, part Lab, and all love.
Amelia had so much fun playing with her and McCoy. Check out a few other photos from our doggie playdate... .
After days of gorgeous 80 degree weather (in March!), today it dropped down to 50 degrees. Brrrr! Warm to some folks, but with the wind, a bit chilly for us to play outside.
So, what to do when Amelia desperately needs a change of scenery?
Get out the snowsuit!!!
My dear college friend Heather shared a snowsuit with us that her daughter Emma had outgrown. Amelia tried it on... aside from being a bit long in the arms and legs - a perfect fit!
Last Sunday, we had a spur-of-the-moment early spring cleaning session... prompted by Carolyn. She's a big fan of our screened in porch. One look at it, covered in winter debris, was enough to make you cry. With the weather so beautiful these past few days, the porch was calling out for a cleaning... and mom heard the crys!
Amelia, not one to be left out, got in the cleaning act as well. She took on the deck that desperately needs some help. Check out our little Cinderella...
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Catherine and I got smart for week 2! Our new plan - meet Kim (their swim instructor) at the pool entrance, say good-bye to the girls, and go hide in the "big" pool where little eyes couldn't find us. Kim was thrilled! Amelia and Sarah finally got with the program and actually had fun.
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