Summer favorites...

We like to try many new things every summer, but there are some places we find ourselves every year...oldies but goodies. Of course we find ourself at the beach every summer and that never gets old, but here are some of our favorite places around here. I think I like them as much for the memories as for the good times.

We love going to  Birkdale for the fountain, fun events, and assorted ice cream places.

This is the earliest picture I have of Parker in the fountain, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't his first time. It's always been exciting to run in and out as fast as possible. It took me a few trips to learn to pack a bathing suit and extra clothes...the near by stores got some good business from us needing a dry outfit in a hurry.

He doesn't run from the water much anymore...just goes right for the middle...but the cold still sends a chill!

Here is Tinley (yes the one who looks like a boy from behind) on one of her first visits to the fountain.

There is always something to watch going on...Here are Tinley and Sadie watching some jugglers.

And if you're lucky, some good music playing nearby.

 And we can't just watch...gotta get moving.

Another place we find ourself at quite a bit is Discovery Place Kids. It's not really that old, and it's not really just for summer...but we're becoming summer "regulars." 


Here is Tinley's first visit when it opened. I always tell people babies love this place too!

Here's Parker's first visit. He loved working on the car.

This year some of their favorite things there are...

Playing fireman..

The bank "drive thru"...

The submarine...

Shopping in the grocery store...

And for some reason plain old markers, stamps, glue and scissors...I guess there aren't as many rules with these.

This week we're headed to Carolina Beach for one of our favorite places not around here!

Not one, but two new

Aunts/Sister in Laws for us this year! Just a couple of months ago, we were happy to find out Meagan and Matthew would be getting married. And now Brad and Brittany are engaged too! Happy Engagement and Happy Planning:)

The kids got busy making some congratulations signs.

Parker sums it up nicely here.

Looking forward to lots (more) fun times!

Ronald...

McDonald that is.  We are officially "groupies" of the old clown. Last year we saw his show at a local library by chance and this year we tracked him down again. The only library he was showing up around this year was all the way on the other side of the county but Parker was so excited to see him again, I decided we could make the trip for the (free) event! 
He did not disappoint. If the fella shows up around your library or school, I suggest you become a fan. He talks about the importance of reading, exercise (after your fries I suppose) and mostly giving. The kids think he's hilarious (and some cheesy adults might find him mildly entertaining as well). I remember as a child thinking McDonalds was a happy place and Ronald McDonald must be super happy (I guess I was right where the marketers wanted me!) Interesting you don't see him much now. The "chick fil a cow" is  much more popular these days...and we do LOVE that cow, but today was all about you Ronald!!


Yes I was taken advantage of. Parker said we must go to McDonalds if we're going to see Ronald McDonald...the one we passed just happen to have this fun play area. The boy knows how much I like to stay with the theme. 

Enjoying the library. Signed up for summer reading and got some new books!

Fabulous tricks:)

Talking about Ronald McDonald house and how we can love others.

Sneaking a peek through the window after the program.

Being "good busy"

We've had a busy and wonderful start to our summer. I always distinguish "good busy" and "bad busy". To me "bad busy" is when you can't fit in the important things, spending time with people you love, etc. "Good busy" is when you are busy doing the things you always wish you had time for. 


With the help of the grandparents, the kids got to do some fun things before I was done with my workdays and then they headed to Graham. Of course I followed right behind them, eager to get in on some of the "good busy" fun. It was great to visit and catch up with some of my favorite people around there! Here are just a few of our many fun times.


We finally got to meet baby Trey. He will probably be "baby Trey" until there is another baby, so hopefully someone else will come along. He is so sweet and easy and I had a great time playing dress up and taking some pictures.

Mostly I enjoyed doing this:)

When we visited Grandpa and Grandma, they took us to a fun park we've never been to.

They even had a little zip line, just right for the kids.

Then we got to help Grandpa pick out some new ducks for his pond. Parker thought that the person who had to chase them to get in the box was hilarious.

We even put in some hard work and the kids "helped" Daddy wash the car.

Finally we celebrated Father's Day...This shirt was one of Brandon's gifts...it says Coolest Dad Ever Except for Vader of Course.

Parker's says Who's Your Daddy?  Tinley's says Daddy's Little Princess

And here is the family "force push" going on. 

I don't think Brandon and I would have ever imagined that we would have a Star Wars theme going on in our house...but here we are. We know we have a special Dad who will make Father's Day all about what the kids really enjoy!

Happy Summer!!

Proud Owner of a...

First Grader! Another milestone in Parker's life...Sometimes it's hard to believe these things keep happening. He had a great year and I will forever treasure us being in Kindergarten together. It certainly made everything a little more exciting to be experiencing it with him for the first time and it made walking in to work every morning (or running when we were late) a little easier holding the hand of my sweet boy. Thankfully we will continue going to school together...but he will be on to first grade and I will stay in Kindergarten and await the arrival of my new little children! It has been an exciting and emotional week saying good-bye to my own students, celebrating Parker's year, and saying good-bye to the Herron's who have taken such good care of Tinley. My babies really are growing up:) Thankfully all of this bittersweetness has a lot of sweetness involved with a summer of adventures that await us!

Here was Parker's first day of school this year. A new outfit, new Nike's and a nervous thumbs up!

                 

Here is his last day of school. An outfit in a size up, 2 pairs of Nike's later, and two confident thumbs up!

Here is Tinley's first day of  "school"! Great smile, a new car seat, and just enough hair to hold her bow!

Here she is on her last day..with a different but great smile, a new book, and ironically and unplanned the same bow but with lots more hair. She looks so old!

Here are some other fun days from Parker's week!

Class Party...loving his friends while they take a break from dancing!

 Getting ready to sing with his class at their celebration.

One last picture with Ms. Ogden...she's been so good to us!

Playing with some of my students...Parker got to know his class and my class this year!

 Field Day!!

Last day being my neighbor at school!

College is going to be tough...real tough...