Steppin' Into Summer

I have to be honest. I was born, raised, educated, married and went on to reproduce in the south. The deep south. Lower Piedmont Plateau. And every year I dread the coming of summer. I know there are at least 4 months ahead so hot you can hardly breathe and just stepping outside can be exhausting. And this year, with temps already topping 100 by mid-June, you have to do whatever you can to beat the heat! Fortunately, for the first time in our family's little history a beach trip is just around the corner (16 days but who's counting). In the meantime, it's been pool dates, sprinklers and water tables a-plenty!

I never gave having a pool a second thought when we moved into this neighborhood we love. But come June when my skin is cracking it's so dry, we're thankful to take advantage of our friend's pools! A couple weeks ago we had a late afternoon play date with the Fingers and McNeely's at the McNeely's neighborhood pool. It was tons of fun to splash and play and hang out after the kiddos were done. And Jakers gave us a fun ride from the house down to the pool!

Hudson's grandmother, Gigi, gave Matty this awesome sprinkler toy for this birthday. Reminds both Ben and I of ones we had as kids.

It's not quite as fun as a pool, but in the shade with the water cold enough, Matty's new water play table helps cool things off enough to get us outside late afternoon.

16 days...16 days!

Random Springtime Fun

A smattering of stuff we've been up to in the months since I was posting regularly.

I've been on a mission, like a woman possessed, not that I have that much to show for it. Cleaning out beds, prepping, planning, planting. I so want our yard to be the envy of the neighborhood someday. Someday! Matty's been a helper. First with the leaves and with his own pots. A master gardener in the making?

Like father, like son. Same hairline, same eyes, same strange obsession with buttons, remotes and computers.

Just too cute not to post. Matty and a nice PB&J at the Browning counter deli.

You'd think I staged this, but for once you'd be wrong. This morning, Matty pulled out all the stuffed animals from the pine piece in the sun room, and flopped down in them! Then he wanted to be hidden among them like E.T. I tried doing this so many times when he was really little, but it's a lot easier with a toddler who's a ham and who can sit up on his own!

Last weekend Matty and I had a long-awaited play date with Jake and Caroline. First the park, sliding, running, climbing. Then the crowd took over and we headed to Atkin's Park for an early lunch. The boys were great and enjoyed themselves so much. But I think the most fun was probably just after lunch as we headed to the cars.

There's a big fountain just in front of the restaurant and I think it went something like this:

Mmmm, tastes good!

I'm onna-get you!

God, I live for these moments!

A couple weeks ago Matty and I went to Macon to see Bop and for the Fired Works Pottery show. A huge showroom filled with such cool, local artisan pottery. We'd gone last year with Mom, and I had so regretted not getting a "sussy," as Mama O calls them, for myself. Not to worry, I left with a few sussies for myself and loved ones! Afterwards, we wanted some outside playtime before a quick visit with James and Jodi. Jodi was Mom's very best friend, and conveniently the Macon Magazine office, of which they are both owners / editors, is just across the street from Murphey Park. Named for Matty's Great, great Grandfather, it's a very special place for our family, and also a nice nearby place to blow off some two-year old steam - of which there always seems to be plenty!

The Big Boy Bed!

What I stupidly thought was a pretty big milestone for a toddler turned out to be the most natural transition in history! Matty didn't even bat an eye when we came back from Target one Saturday afternoon to his crib in pieces in the guest room and a new big boy bed being erected in his room. A matress against the wall - such an Everest for an aspiring climber!

And the rest of the big boy bed experience? Easy peasy! Never even a hiccup! I don't know who loves his new room more, me or Matty. He loves his new bed, mini choo-choo in the corner, a new stack of books. And I love, well, let's face it - I loved the shopping!

Matty's Birthday Party and Easter

It's been almost two months since I last posted, due to a crazy busy schedule and a faulty memory stick on our home computer! Well we got one of those fixed, so here are a few more pics for your viewing pleasure!

Matty's 2nd birthday was so much fun. Never was a cowboy themed party more, well, themed! Rushing around last minute to put the finishing details on the party, Aunt Jen Jen and her mother-in-law, Gigi, stepped up with horses, bandannas, water guns, sheriff badges, and more for party favors and decorations! As I sent guests off with their prizes I warned them, they'd never again get a gift basket like that again - it was like presenter gifts at the Oscars!

We had both sides of our families represented and all our friends - what fun it was! Matty's favorite present is probably his choo-choo train: new train table from Mommy and Daddy and Hudson-loved trains and set from Aunt Jen Jen, Unca and Hudson. We've already logged dozens of hours on the island of Sodor, and I know it's only the beginning! Jake, our resident Thomas expert, jumped right in on the choo-choo fun - come aboard anytime, Jakers!

Come on, Mom, where's my cake already!

Finally! And ice cream cake, too! It's was worth the wait!

Another favorite present - the crawling tunnel from Bop. DCA has one of these and it's so much fun - who could know a tube covered in tent material could be so fun!

Post party depression never sets in when we have so much wonderful family in town to continue to fun. After the party it was shoes off, down time, opening gifts and checking out the haul of new toys and books!

It was such a special weekend, and next year - we're going to Gymboree! :)

The next morning was Easter Sunday and the Easter Bunny definitely found this house. Both Matty and Hudson's baskets were full of surprises, eggs and candy. Hud even got a Razor scooter! Easter egg hunting was fun in our front yard, more tunnel time and perfect weather. If we have to say good-bye to weekends like this, this is the only way to go!