Here’s another one of those posts that I just didn’t get around to when we did it weeks ago. You know my reasons {…and the perfect little knit gray hat…the dark gray booties…and all the other shopping and preparing going on for Baby C.}, but I still wanted to post these photos here since this little blog keeps track of our family’s life.
I will say that cutting down a Christmas tree is just not that big a deal if you own a Christmas tree farm. We see them every day. I’ve been trying to think of a way to make it more special and I think the next time we plant {late winter} I’m going to let MM pick out a liner from the batch as HER tree. We’ll put a special tag on it and let her take care of it for the next four years as it grows. And then when it’s time to cut it {and she’ll be almost 7–ACK!} she’ll get to use the saw herself and help her daddy.
But until then we just go out in the fields and cut our trees…or three…down.
If you want to cry all you have to do is go back to 2009 and 2010 and see how much my little one has grown. It’s crazy how quick they go from a little baby to a toddler talking in full sentences.
I just love Plum District. It’s a Groupon/Living Social type of website geared towards moms and families. Last week they had a spend-$10-get-$20-worth-of-food at the Roswell Teahouse. As soon as I saw it I knew this would be a *perfect* place for MM to have her first official tea party at almost three years old.
And boy, was I right!
{The Roswell Teahouse is just wonderful…I really can’t say it enough. The food was amazing–honestly the best chicken salad…and tomato soup…green tea ginger dressing, etc. were the best I’ve ever had. Oh my goodness, y’all, go there today. I know we’ll be back.}
I asked Little Miss what she thought she should wear to a teahouse. She decided on a dress, a hat, and some gloves. And “lots and lots of sparkly jewelry”. Yep, a girl after my own heart.
So I found my childhood Easter bonnet, her little white gloves from Easter this year, some faux pink (!) pearls, and a little vintage bracelet and my baby ring. We were all set for our tea.
When we got there she took all that stuff off and got down to business. Sipping her pink “Teddy Graham” tea and tackling her tower of goodies {including peanut butter and jelly, pumpkin woopie pies, cucumber sandwiches, etc.}.
I was so surprised that she actually loved the tea after it cooled off. She drank three cups!
Tea drinking is serious work, don’t ‘ya know.
After bellies were full and lots of loving on two of her grandmothers we left.
{But not without first picking up many acorns…that she then stuffed in *my* pockets and laughing about it.}
Her first tea party was a hit and she’s already asking when we can go back.
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I’ll be honest–I don’t know how to put all my feelings about Disney World down.
As a kid I went four times {plus a Disney cruise} and I was totally gaga for Mickey. Loved him.
But, well, I just didn’t feel the magic of Disney World as an adult. It was just all a bit too contrived–piped in happiness, I’d guess you say. Fake historic buildings, employees in hot, fake costumes with fake smiles, everyone telling you to have a “magical day”, etc.–well, it just wasn’t real. Add on to that temperatures in the upper 90s, love bugs mating everywhere, more children crying than laughing {blame it on all those skipped naps}, and the plethora of strange old people who were there all on their own. It was just creepy.
And don’t get me wrong, MM had fun. She LOVED–like squealed in utter delight–the character breakfast, It’s a Small World ride, and the large gift shop on Main Street {that girl loves her some shopping}…but other than that she was over it. We probably could have left an hour after the park opened and never thought twice. Instead we toughed it out for nine hours, no nap, horribly hot and humid, and did as many kid-friendly rides as we could. Did it make it any better for her? Eh, probably not. But if I’m going to pay $90-ish for a ticket, well, we’re going to get our money’s worth.
And do I think we’ll go again? Of course. {Isn’t that crazy that one second I tell you I didn’t dig it and the next second I tell you we’ll go again?! That’s how I roll.}
But I’ll do it different. We’ll wait a minimum of four years, possibly more. Book a place that is on park property {or better yet, that tram service line} so that naps–and breaks for the parents–can be taken. And either go again in early November or mid-February when it’s not so dadgum hot.
Enough of that. We DID have a good time and I AM glad we did it. And here are the pictures to prove it.
A deserted Disney {our reservations at the Crystal Palace were at 8 and the park doesn’t open to the public ’til 9}.
And like I said, she absolutely loved the breakfast. We did too–it was yummy–and the characters {Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, and Piglet} came around to each table to spend time with each child.
Playing in the gift shop.
And we met some characters. After standing in long lines. Really long lines. {I thought all kids were in school in the middle of September during the week. Apparently not.}
Her favorite is Tiana. She says she wants to be a chef like her one day.
We rode some rides. After standing in some long lines.
And after a long day we waited in line {yep, one more line} to meet Minnie and Mickey. MM was just too tired and couldn’t wake up {my girl likes to nap, don’t ya know}. We took pictures anyway and I’m glad we did because MM just laughs and laughs when she sees this.
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We just got back from our little vacation and while it was so fun–it honestly, really was–we’re exhausted {missing a flight AND traveling with a 2.5 year old will do that to you}. And plus my camera is on the fritz. Again {the ISO button is jammed which effects everything and I can’t shoot in manual right now…and that’s the only way I know how to shoot}. So I’ve only been able to upload just 2-3 photos {of the 250+}.
Anyway…
Here are some pictures from the beach. A beach that was nice, low 80s, breezy, and mostly overcast–and people-free. Completely lovely. C. had never been to the Atlantic before and I think he was even pleasantly surprised.
She’s learning her letters is preschool and here she is writing “A-A-E-E-E-L-L”.
And then there’s a few I took with my phone of her playing in the sand. I really couldn’t believe how much she’s changed in just the last year. She loves the sand. And the birds. And the water. And sandcastles. Seriously, what has happened to my no-mess-child?! Love it.
Next up? Our trip to Disney World.
]]>My grandmother, Ruth, was picking green beans…gallons upon gallons of green beans.
My mother, Denise, was harvesting the peppers and trying to keep them sorted hot and mild.
I was searching for ripe watermelons among the vines. Black skin. Green-veined skin. Crimson inside. Some that are yellow.
And my daughter, Mary Margaret, was investigating the vegetables, the bugs, and the mud. Every few minutes running to catch a bird or butterfly that passed by.
I have the clearest picture in my mind of this morning. These three wonderful ladies and I all together doing something we love. How I wish I had my camera so I could capture this memory.
Four generations.
I feel so blessed.
In other news, will you please take all of a five seconds {seriously, just five} and vote for MM and I at Cottage Mama? We made the top five in the ‘Playdate Outfit’ Sew Along and would love to win! All you have to do is go to the website, look at the left-hand sidebar, and click on ‘Natalie.’ Thank you in advance.
In more news, you’ll notice a little extra something on this blog. I’ve joined the BlogHer network and am very excited about that!
]]>Remember back in April how we bought a Victorian-era settee in Charlotte? It was a good deal and we figured out why pretty quick–all the stuffing {a mix of straw, cotton, & horse hair} was coming out of the seat.
But I loved the rest of the “leather” {I call it leather, but I don’t think it is…it feels more like painted canvas almost}–especially the rosettes–so it took a while to find an upholsterer who would tackle the project AND who would fit in our teeny-tiny budget. We persevered and finally found someone to do it & the turnaround was only 36 hours. Can’t beat that.
It’s sitting awkwardly in the parlor right now while I try to find the right place for it and the right side table. It sits so low to the ground that it’s kinda hard to make it work.
And a certain someone wanted to get her picture made with it. Notice the Barney shirt? Oh yeah, we’re still ga-ga for that dinosaur over here.
The fabric is by Tula Pink and is part of their ‘Parisville’ line. It’s currently my favorite fabric and goes with our rug perfectly.
And I have big dreams for this little settee too. I want to have our baby’s newborn portraits on it. I can just picture it sitting under our giant pecan tree in the backyard with a tiny baby curled up on it asleep. I.can’t.wait.
Enough of settees and baby talk–moving on.
This weekend I cooked dinner for my father-in-law for his Father’s Day present. I used Darby’s Asian flank steak, cabbage salad with soy dressing, and baked peaches coupled with Jasmine rice & chocolate cake for dessert. Everything went along as planned until C. went to start our grill. Clearly we have not used it in while.
That’s ants, y’all. Billions of ants and their tiny eggs. Needless to say I grilled those steaks on our stove instead of the grill. Right before we sat down we heard what sounded like a train {and believe me, we know what trains sound like–we live within spittin’ distance of the tracks} coming through our house. We ran outside and out of nowhere there was a HUGE thunderstorm with crazy winds. It took down many gorgeous old trees in our downtown {and a top of one of ours in the backyard…it blocked the side street next to our carriage house for about an hour ’til the city came and moved it} and since we left the cover off the grill, it also washed away all the ants. Score!
Here’s the yummy cabbage slaw with “crunchies” {seasame seeds, sunflower seeds, ramen noodles, and almonds}.
Later MM and I were watering the ferns and what did we spy, but a nest and two perfectly speckled eggs {the nest had been abadoned about a week ago}. She was enthralled. It took every bit of willpower she had not to pick up those little eggs and just squeeze ‘em to death with love.
Yesterday was my cousin’s 27th birthday. They threw her a surprise party and MM wore her party dress.
And when we got there she got to wear a tiara, sash, and hold a wand while talking to Aunt Jessie about lip gloss and perfume. And staying up past 9. Oh yes, she had fun {and we’ve been paying for it with a cranky toddler today, ha!}. Happy birthday, Jessica–we love you {MM thinks you’re all that and a bag of chips} and we can’t wait for you to be the godmother of our baby!
The only picture I snapped of these two on Father’s Day. It was super muggy today–dare say, the worst day yet–and even though this was 10am and before church we were all sweating profusely.
Just so you know, we really do holidays up over here at our house. We celebrated Da-Da today with a grand lunch of chicken fingers with a picnic {in our pajamas} on the living room floor. Oh yeah, we do it in style!
C., of course, says he wouldn’t have it any other way–he’s a good daddy like that.
This afternoon we took down the bed in the new nursery. As we were doing so MM begged to “sleep” in her old crib that we had moved into that room. She said several times, ‘This my crib–not “Henwy’s” or “M-Yine’s” crib, but I share.’ I just hope she does–since I never had a sibling I don’t get the whole sibling rivalry-jealousy thing and I just pray that I can teach them to love and respect each other. Starting with sharing her crib.
So there you go, our scattered life in pictures. I’m going to try and take some pictures of canning our green tomato relish this week {…and blackberry preserves…and pickles…and possibly more blueberry jam…} and our trip to the Georgia Aquarium with Aunt Jen-Jen.
Happy Father’s Day to all those dads out there. Any man can be a father, but it takes a special one to be a dad. And boy, do I have a great dad and so does my little girl.
]]>My, how those years have flown. My, how sweet they have been.
This morning at eleven C. & I were sitting on a park bench watching MM play in the water fountains at a local park. I looked down at my watch and realized at the exact time all those years ago we were getting married.
Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine the wonderful life we would have together and the child we would create. Our lives are so blessed.
And I can’t wait to see what the next years hold!
Love you, C. So glad that God put the two of us together.
Yes, her birthday was in January. And her birthday party was in April.
{Well, she did have a birthday party on her birthday this year with family too.}
My birthday is in December which means that not only is it Christmas tree season {meaning my family is crazy-busy on their farm}, but it’s also cold. As a kid I hated it being so cold and it left you with just two options for your birthday party in my hometown: the church fellowship hall or the roller skating rink a couple of towns over. {When I was 8 years old I caught my big 1980s poofy bangs on fire as I was blowing out my candles at Skate Country. My Aunt Jackie put the flames out, but not before it singed my hair and eyebrows. I’m not sure if I ever told you or not, but thank you, Aunt Jackie!} But I digress.
Anyway, I say all this to say, I knew that if I ever had a child with a winter birthday that they would be given the option of delaying their party to spring or summer so they could enjoy it. I’m still jealous of my cousin Jessica who had the perfect mid-June birthday and got to enjoy *my* swimming pool for her birthday party every year. Just sayin’.
And without further adieu, here are the pictures from the party…
The party was held at my family’s farm, but mostly took place in my grandmother’s front yard under a big pecan tree. I had a table set up {at little person height} with the cookies on it and next to it was a big wash pan of iced-down drinks for kids and parents. We had a great big stack of family quilts and when it was time to eat we just lay on the ground in the shade of the tree and we had a little picnic.
I kept this party super cheap–the only things I really bought were the cookies, drinks, and a bag of candy {I’ve been collecting the other prizes over the last year and I got the eggs for 90% off a few weeks after Easter last year}.
Here are the prizes for the Easter egg hunt.
And what would an Easter-themed party be without pictures of the special girl with the Easter Bunny? The ceramic egg she painted a few weeks ago at a pottery place–it’s our new little tradition. Didn’t she do a good job?
All the flowers came out of my parents’ garden {which I planted, hmph!} and are in vintage milk jars.
We hung paper pom-poms from the tree. I bought these two years ago for like $2 each and have used them now at three parties and they’re still going strong.
But since it wasn’t really MM’s birthday I didn’t do the cake thing–she’d already done that in January, and just chose to do Easter-theme cookies instead.
The egg holders {I’m sure there is a “correct” name for what they’re called, but I don’t know it!} came from C.’s gradparents. They hold four eggs from our chickens–two blue {Ameraucanas}, a white {Cochin}, and a brown {Rhode Island Red}.
For the first thirty minutes or so we let the kids feed bread to the goats and cows. Once it looked like everyone had arrived we got in the hayride to go to the back field for the Easter egg hunt. {Side note: there were WAY more kids than I thought there would be so we had to take two hayrides which meant some extra waiting time. I’ll know next time to keep the hunt in walking distance!}
Some of us chose to put our baskets on our heads to wait. Whatever does it for ya’.
I was helping get everyone in the hayride when I realized I hadn’t seen MM in a while. I kinda got panicky before someone told me she had already hopped on the hayride and was waiting to go! …yes, someone goes on a lot of hayrides. …and yeah, she was ready to get the Easter egg started too!
We lined everyone up the best we could {this is less than half the kids}. Another note to self: next time do one field for 0-2 and another field for 3 & 4 year olds. The older kids are much more suave at hunting eggs than my two-year old who liked to stop and examine the contents of each egg before going on to the next one.
And then they were off.
After a successful hunt {the eggs not only had candy in them, but also Silly Bands and miniature farm animals…not to mention prize eggs}, we all loaded on to {two} hay ride{s} and went back to my grandmother’s front yard.
We ate cookies and a certain birthday girl got way too many presents and was way too spoiled.
And it was a really fun day & I think we’ll make it a tradition–birthday party or not. Here’s a few more pics I snapped…and check out Allison’s blog for some great ones of the party.
Looking through the eggs {300+ of ‘em} before we went to hide them.
That’s her and her “boyfriend” Grant–she even gave him a kiss too! You may remember him–he was the Indian she was hugging on at Halloween.
Sorry for being so M.I.A. this past week. We had a girls’ long weekend at the beach and time just flew by.
MM said, ‘I don’t ‘ike it’ about the sand. {she’s big about saying she likes something–or doesn’t–the past week or so.}
And the seashells.
And the water.
And the sun.
Etc.
But she tolerated it for us and even tried to tan like the other beach goers. No worries, as soon as I took this picture I stood her up, gently explained that she got my pale-as-a-ghost genes, and that it was time to put on even more sunscreen {for the fifteenth time that day} so we could walk to the car. {I’m not exaggerating either.}
She even let us go back the next day and get a few pictures.
Hopefully the beach will grow on her when we go back in September for our tri-family vacay (oh yes, us and both sets of grandparents are doing a vacation together!) she’ll want to play in the sand all day long.
But I’m not holding my breath.
]]>As our love has matured I began to see a person I didn’t even know existed in that twenty-three year old guy I met all those years before. I fell in love all over again with a hard-working, dedicated, devoted, grown-up man who honestly makes me a better person.
As I was falling asleep last night it hit me: I know exactly how to describe C. And it is this…
The only time I get a good nights sleep is when he is beside me. He puts me at ease, makes my heart and mind at peace, and makes me feel protected.
Yes, that’s it exacly. That’s have I feel about him a nutshell.
Happy Birthday, C. Hope you have thirty-one–no, make that hundred and one–birthdays more. And all of them together holding on to each other’s hand.
Love,
Your Natalie