You Come from Georgia Where the Peaches Grow

They drink lemonade, and speak real slow....

We just returned from a week in Georgia. It was perfection. While we did spend a day at the pool, Tessa and cute cousin Carson were a little impatient. Nothing a few buckets and measuring cups couldn't quickly resolve.

We did the Georgia Aquarium. That place really rocks my socks every time we go.

We splashed in the Fountains at Piedmont Park.

We took a joyride to Stone Mountain.

And watched the Laser Show and fireworks.

We spent Sunday night playing pyros.

I come from good stock.

We celebrated America's birthday.

We became obese at Fogo de Chao

(Sidenote: Ten years ago, to the day, the four of us spent the evening at this very same Fogo de Chao stuffing ourselves. This would be the trip where Allen first met my parents, asked daddy if he could marry his little girl, and got down on one knee and made all my dreams come true. It was a fairly busy excursion.)

We ate. A lot. This particular evening off the grill, in celebration of Independence.

We swam, we shot guns, we played endless amounts of Taboo, we ate ice cream, we had spiritual discussions.

We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and the people we were with.

We will not be waiting two more years for a repeat.

Summer, Summer, Summertime

The pool officially opened three days after baseball (and school) finally came to a close.

We couldn't be happier.

Hey Batter, Batter

Baseball ended a couple weeks ago. It was a fairly joyous occasion.

I will say, the boy did improve mucho and he still loves it, so that counts for something. And, I got a tan, which really counts for something. Baseball may not be so bad after all (which is admittedly way easier to say three weeks post play).

Prima Ballerina

Today was Linley's last day of ballet until Fall. To say she loves ballet is a gross understatement.

To say I forgot my camera and am thus a fully crappy mother is completely accurate.

Fuzzy faces are better than no faces though, right?

Maybe, just maybe, my offspring may discover the gracefulness that completely escaped me.

That is, however, highly unlikely.

Tessa Jane Turns Two!!!

The Spunky Monkey had a birthday today. She woke up asking for cake. At 6 am. I turned on some cartoons, gave her some warm milk, and went back to bed.

At 7am she came into my bedroom holding a stick of butter like it was an ice cream cone. A half-eaten ice cream cone. Breakfast of champions I say.

Tess embodies the perfect blend of feisty and sweet. Her vocabulary is vast, her patience low, and her kisses abundant.

Her comedic timing seasoned, her curiosity dangerous, her stubbornness plentiful, and her fear nonexistent.

Simply stated: she is a treat.

My most favorite chubby-cheeked two year old on the planet.

Happy Birthday Tessa Jane!!!

We love you like fat kid loves candy (and how cute is my cake? I am so domestic.).

Speaking of, Linley called Ryder a fatty today. I told her it wasn't nice to call someone a fatty. She replied, "It's only not nice if they're skinny."

We'll blame the father on that one.

Fancy Free

At the risk of jinxing all efforts, I will dare say the beast is housetrained.

And I have never done anything easier. No accidents. No complaints. Just a kid that sits and the pot and goes. Whatever it is she has to go. What??

Daddy can now rest easy knowing his baby is in panties before residing two full years on this green earth (even if it is just one week prior to that glorious anniversary of life).

Mommy simply has plans of pool days aplenty and frankly despises swim diapers. There was no other option.

And really, is there anything cuter than chubby, dimply, baby buns??

I love this girl.

I Wanna Graduate

Anyone else have a fairly major high school crush on Stephan Jenkins?

Today Linley graduated pre-school. An occasion made far more momentous than I believe necessary. Regardless, the little dear requested we take pictures to post on the blog, and I kindly obliged.

They turned out unsightly, uncoordinated, and highly embarrassing. I'll still post.

We changed course to include Tessa. Because everything is cuter with a little Chubs. But most ended up like this.

 However, everyone was game to kiss the camera.

   And give their best model pose (which instinctively means showing more leg on my behalf????)

That'll have to do.

We are still enjoying 95 degree weather. 95 degrees is perfect for all activities. Except one: an hour long preschool graduation in a cramped classroom packed full of people and equipped with no air conditioning. That there would be the definition of hell.

I love sweat soaking down my spine while sitting perfectly still. Pretty sure that means I don't have to go to the gym today.

Linley with Mrs. Kling

Linley with Mrs. Hymans

Linley with her besties

Goodbye Gingham Giraffe. You have been fabulous to my little girl.