Wordless Wednesday

-Bethany

Girls Weekend in DC

Grace and I went up to DC last weekend to visit Aunt Samantha.

Grace's first flight.  (She slept the whole way both there and back.  She *might* have been a tad bit sick on the way up=lethargic=excellent flier.  Oops.)

Palmer was such a good sport about staying home.  I was worried he might be sad not to join, so I warned him about our pending trip a few weeks in advance.  I explained that he just got to go to DC with Gram and PawPaw and now it was Grace's turn.  My four-year-old is amazing.  He was so sweet and focused on wanting to show Grace his DC book with all of the spots and sites that he enjoyed.

I can't say that Grace and I did much sightseeing, though.  This was much more just a visit to see my amazing sister.

Lunch and shopping at the Union Market:

This is likely not a shock to anyone that knows Samantha and me well, but our days pretty much revolved around where we were going to eat.  Grace's days were similar and she often enjoyed an artisan salad on the kitchen island because we didn't have a high chair.  Diva in the making.

Grace didn't know what to do with herself and all of the attention.  She isn't used to everyone being so attentive to her (second child) and was quite clingy during the weekend.  I think we've got a combo of teething (lil' gal STILL has two teeth...since she was 6 months old...) and a nasty and uncomfortable rash due to some allergies she is combatting.

"Ahhhh, this is the LIFE!"

One night, Samantha scheduled a fun evening out at a family-style Thai restaurant with several of her girlfriends.  When our scheduled babysitter canceled last minute, Samantha's friend Maggie's fiancé stepped up to the plate and offered to babysit Grace.  All was well until they went for a walk in the neighborhood.  Poor Dayne locked himself out without his phone.  Luckily, he was able to reach us and mid-dinner sweet Maggie left to go let them back into the house.  Grace was conked out in the stroller as happy as can be when Maggie arrived!  Whoops.  Sorry for ruining your evening, Maggie and Dayne, and thanks for helping out!!

Aunt Samantha is also a certified yoga instructor (in addition to her regular job in the financial world) and taught a class that I was able to attend while in town.  She is so amazing.  I have no idea how she keeps up with talking and correcting people and telling people when to breathe and synchronizing the music and adjusting the lighting as needed.  I was quite impressed.

Aunt Samantha, thank you for being such a gracious and generous hostess.  Meanwhile, PLEASE MOVE BACK.

-Bethany

Wordless Wednesday

-Bethany

UPDATE: Palmer's New Friend Johnson

Apparently, Palmer's pretend friend (Johnson) has a pretend friend named YoYo.  This is news to me.

YoYo was born at the same time as Johnson, so I'm not sure why we are just learning about the new guy.  Johnson and YoYo were both born out of Grace's tummy.  I guess that means they are twins...

Anyway, Johnson and YoYo are invisible, although they can see each other.  Palmer cannot see either one of them and sometimes I hear Palmer calling for either YoYo or Johnson saying, "YoYo? Where are you.  Remember, you are invisible and I can't see where you are, so you gotta answer..."

-Bethany

Palmer's New Friend Johnson

Palmer has a new best friend who is with him 24/7.

No, really.  We've got a "pretend friend" over here named Johnson.

Palmer uses Johnson to validate all sorts of things like, "Can I go outside and skate by myself, mom? Johnson said he is allowed to and he can help me if I have any problems."

OR

When I ask Palmer to come inside and wash his hands before dinner, Palmer says, "I know.  Johnson told me we were going to have to do that."

I've had a hectic month of work and since it coincided with the start of summer and therefore no preschool, we've been pretty creative with the number of places Palmer has been lately for childcare.  I think Johnson helps assure Palmer that all the different places are safe.  ("Have fun at bible school today, Palmer."  "I will, Mom.  Johnson is coming with me.")

One of my work snaps:

I'm so proud of Palmer.  He continues to show his independence and creative thinking.  If Johnson ensures Palmer can tackle anything, welcome to the family, Johnson!

-Bethany

Wordless Wednesday

-Bethany

Wordless Wednesday

-Bethany

Grace's First Birthday Party

After weeks (and months) of rain, we got so lucky that Grace's ice cream and pool party was on the first very sunny and gorgeous day in a long time.

Since our little girl already has a sweet tooth (not unlike anyone else in her immediate family, including her diabetic maltipoo), we  I thought an ice cream party would be a perfect way to celebrate and kick off the summer.

 Cupcakes in ice cream cones!

Grace LOVED the water, despite the chilly pool temperature. She had such a smile on her face the whole time.

Palmer was so cute on the morning of Grace's party.  He was, by far, the more excited child about party day and told Grace many, many times how wonderful it was to have a party.  Palmer was also super pumped about the new slide at the pool:

Grace and Aunt Amanda (who share a special birth date!):

Grace's sweet friends Henry and Joy:

Our little walker:

It's smash cake time!  

Ice cream sundaes for the win! (We opted to forego any sort of food known as sustenance in favor of ice cream and cake with a side of lemonade.)

Palmer couldn't have been more pleased:

And so our first year of celebrations end.  Happy birthday, Miss Grace!

-Bethany