Packed and loaded!

One of our goals as a parents is to show the girls the world and all it has to offer.  So we may be crazy but we set off on our annual summer vacation.  Yes just us...summer of little ladies leaves Columbia!

First stop Nashville! 3rd year in a row we got to spend time with my bestie from college but now family besties!  We love spending time with them.  

This family is so welcoming and their new home was the same.  Loved eating out ( yes we did take 5 kiddos 3 and under out!), getting ice cream, playing at the parks, morning coffee chats, trip to the zoo, prosecco and whiskey,  and enjoying their outdoor living space.  

Zoo fun!

On a whim Builder and B even knocked out laying some sod.   Best time!

Love these kiddos! Trudy not pictured but there. 

Next stop Savannah, GA.  Long drive but we made it.  A few minor mishaps but worth it.  Our lunch stop in Chatanooga was interesting to say the least, no picture needed during lunch imagine a baby diaper expolsion all over my lap....no diaper bag and in a booth.  Ugh! This all after getting lost trying to find the park, leaving car without strollers in 90 + heat to walk too far...just keeping it real and making sure I remember these moments.  Back on track after that.

This face is why we do this.  She loves bacation as she calls it and this was her face when we told her we were there and time to swim! They loved the night swim.  

Next morning they were so excited to swim!  I need to learn to post videos, they all love jumping in and going under. 3 little fish!

Happy girls!

Exploring Savannah was beautiful.  The weather was perfect and the girls enjoyed the stroller ride.  We had the best lunch and had the girls try shrimp and grits, they were interested in getting.  

I love exploring a new city and this time with 2 double strollers.  I'm pretty sure we got comments from everyone who passed, some nice, some strange and some that you just don't think people would say ....next up beach time!!!

A BIG step

Yesterday EK sent a very special package to the Pacie Queen.  It was an unplanned event and momma and poppa were creating as we went! A few days ago I explained to her what happens to your teeth with a pacie.  Yesterday at nap she was not tired and said something about no pacie and I went with it.  

First gather them all (even those she had hidden!), tape up the box, and decorate pink and purple of course.

Then we headed out to put in mailbox.  She was telling them to " have fun!"

Doesn't want teeth like this!

Then completely unplanned mailman was coming down the road.  Video is priceless.  Off they went!

Then she did it! No tears just talked about how much she loved them.  9:15 and she was out! 

Big Girl!! So proud and even a little sad, my first baby is so big! Tear.

She woke up and immediately asked to go down and see what the pacie Queen brought...

Best poppa because again unplanned, he made a stop on the way home from work at 2:30am.  Pacie Queen brings princess stuff that EK loves and even left behind her sparkles!!! You know me and characters but big step deserves big treat!!

Happy big girl this morning in her new jammas coloring princesses! 

Announcement!

 

Designed by the one and only Tootie!

Say it's not so...

Gia and family are moving.  

I truly believe people come into your life for a reason ....

This week our neighbors, friends, nanny, best dessert baker, Otto's BFF, running partner, babysitter... moved on to the next chapter in their lives.  We are very sad to see our Gia, Bah, and Mr. John (all named by EK and what they are called in our neighborhood) leave but we truly wish them all the best.  Forever part of our family.  

Gia brought so much love and we will forever be grateful.  EK loves Gia with her whole heart in EK words.  There is so much that I could not have done without the help of Gia.  Not only did she watch the girls but she pushed me to run and would push a stroller so we could hit the trail with all 3.  Poppa will miss her baking, She made the best chocolate cake ever!! EK will miss cheese sticks and mac and cheese at Gia's, her favorite! All the girls will miss yelling for Bah at the top of the deck steps.  Days spent crafting with Gia will not be forgotten and EK will always be the best at tracing her hand.  The list goes on and on.  I truly believe all good things do come to end but this will not be a goodbye but see you soon.  

Stay at home mom

Any stay at home mom I have always 100% respected but I would like to applaud you.  All my friends that do it 100% of the time I wish there was an award ceremony for you, not because you need an award because what you do for your kids and who they become is enough but just because you deserve the recognition.  It is WORK and it never stops.  Don't get me wrong my job is work but this is just different.  I truly love my kids and this time but thank goodness for nap time!  I find myself so excited for poppa to come home for dinner but then again dinner time is busy!    Is it really time to eat again?!!

They key for me and my girls is to stay busy with fun activities in the morning so they are tired by nap time.  We are in a groove now and this weather has allowed us to really get out and enjoy the parks.  I do get some looks with 2 in a stroller, one walking and I'm wearing one, that's what you do because staying home is not an option.  We of course first make our coffee run.  

And let's be real some days go good and others I want to run away.  Love watching them run and play together and was not a fan of the Panera experience with Maugs screaming causing us to leave with strangers help, thank goodness made it home before she started vomiting.  In the end I'm a mom and will cherish all these memories.  

Parks, picnics, paint, and pool 

We need poppa for this outing! Night swims can be the best.

Stay at home momma for a little longer before I return to being a momma and an employee.  

A little late...20 months - note to Littles

Margaret,

My sweet 'old fashion' and mighty baby.   2 of the best words to describe you. Old fashion because you like everything that babies back in the days liked, you prefer the wooden toys and your favorite is the hedge hog on a string.  You love puppies, carbs , the wooden hedge hog toy, pushing anything, and most of all your poppa! This month you love taking toys from your sisters just because, we are working on that!  You still have the biggest smile and smile a lot!!  You are a tiny yet mighty little thing and when you are mad your mad but same goes for happy!   This month you became a big sister and you are so good at it.  You love to reach your arms out to hold her and ( my favorite) you hold on to her car seat in the car to keep her safe.  You are so loving and we love you so much Maugs!! 

Matilda,

My sweet laid back and funny baby.  This month you just make us laugh with your dance moves, your 'NO' at everything, and your mannerisms.  This month you have been so chill! You love taking care of your babies, playing in the water, and eating watermelon or any fruit. You are a happy happy girl! You love climbing and this month love climbing to turn the lights on and off.  You love your momma! You are a great big sister to 'baby'.  You are do helpful and loving.  You never want to be done holding her.  You are so sweet and we love you so much!

Note to Trudy -1 month

Trudy, 

We could not be more excited that you are here so happy and healthy!! You complete our family.  You fit right in from day one and are truly the best babe.  You are surrounded by so much love and little mommas.  I have no doubt you will love them right back and won't let them boss you too much.  You complete a sisterhood that you all are blessed to be part of, nothing can replace a sister. 

All my love,

Momma 

1 month:

Best babe! You just roll with this crazy circus!  Sleep, right now you love it and give us all a good nights sleep, please don't change that!  You love your nightly bath, milk, and of course your momma!