Saturday

Yesterday we had a nice day even though we didn't do anything super exciting. Check out our projects. 

 Harry and Alaina did a "Build and Grow" project after lunch. They built the picture frame that Alaina got at the Monsters University preview a week ago. Alaina now has the picture from that night and the frame in her room. 

Next, we made a yummy, and fresh, fish dinner. Harry and I purchased fresh caught grouper when we were visiting my parents last weekend so yesterday we grilled it, along with some fresh veggies from our garden (or from Harry's parents garden) and we made hush puppies from a mix my parents brought us from Gilligan's Restaurant.

Some of the hush puppies. Harry finally found a good use for the side burner on our grill... to fry hush puppies! Last time we fried them inside and we set off the smoke alarm. 

Yummy! Our fresh veggies with some olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper.

 

 My portion of the grouper... Harry made a spicy, lemon, parmesan marinade and it was delicious!

Alaina opted for corn on the cob (fresh picked at grandma and grandpa's) and chicken nuggets. She really missed out on a good meal!

Farm Visit

On Thursday I took Alaina and Zack to Harry's parents house to visit the farm animals. Both kids (and both grandparents) had a blast. 

First we stopped by the airport to see some airplanes take off. 

After we arrived, we went out to feed the chickens.  

We visited with the cows.

And played on tractors.

Finally, we picked some fresh corn. It was a great, but exhausting, day. 

Hanging at the Pool

Zack is visiting again this week and today we got in some pool time in. Both kids had a blast and spent a lot of energy (good for an afternoon nap)!

This video is pretty funny. While the kids were playing in the pool, I unrolled the hose to water our vegetable garden. Zack was the first one to start running through the spray and it turned into me spraying the kids. They had a great time and it was pretty cute to watch. 

Weekend in Wilmington

This past weekend Harry, Alaina, and I visited my parents in Wilmington. There was a storm surging off the North Carolina coast all weekend, but we were able to get a good beach day in on Saturday. 

This was a pretty common sight on Saturday... a lot of running toward and away from the ocean. 

Alaina has no fear of the water and had a TON of fun splashing and playing in the water. 

The large bucket of water on the beach is always a hit as a "baby pool."

Alaina and grandma

Playing with daddy in the water. 

It was decided that Alaina is truly a beach baby. 

Thanks, mom and dad, for hosting us for the weekend!

Monsters University

Tonight Harry, Alaina, and I went to the Lowe's Family Premiere of Monsters University. Harry won tickets from work earlier in the week (score!) and it was a great first movie for Alaina (double score!). As part of the evening we had our picture taken and Alaina got a Build and Grow picture frame, that she and daddy will build later. 

All ready for the movie!

She was excited for the popcorn and the total movie experience. 

Alaina and Zack

Alaina got to spend the day with one of her best friends today, and they both had a blast. I'm babysitting Zack for the next week and a half while his mom works at the summer teacher institute. Check out some of our day! 

Zack showing off his guitar skills. 

Zack and Alaina at the park. After this we headed over to see Jessica, Liam, and Isla but I ended up not taking any pictures, unfortunately. 

Hanging in the baby pool. 

I guess it was a fun but exhausting day because Alaina fell asleep on the couch waiting for Harry to come home. 

The Big Girl Bed

Today Alaina upgraded to a big girl bed. Her crib converted to a full size bed so all we needed to do was add the side rails, slats, and a sheet of plywood (since we opted out of a box spring), and her new mattress to make the change. I went to Home Goods to find her a quilt, shams, and pillows and finished it off with some sheets from Bed, Bath, and Beyond and we were ready for night night time. 

We needed to rearrange her room to accommodate the larger bed and this is what we came up with. This is the view from the hallway door. 

The view from the bathroom door.

I love that her existing curtains and fan matched her new quilt so well. 

Alaina was a little upset at bed time and did ask for her crib back, but after I lay with her for awhile she calmed down and went to sleep. I really like that I can lay in bed with her and I can kiss her while she is in her bed.

Friday

It isn't a very creative title, but here are just a few of the things that happened today. 

After Harry got home from work, we went for a walk to the pond and the playground. On the way home we found this tiny baby bird that had fallen out of its nest (the small gray dot at the edge of the tree and grass). It was so sad because we couldn't find the nest to help the little guy get back home. His mother was sitting on a limb above us the entire time we were looking at him. Alaina was really sweet, she talked to the baby bird and she told him she was sorry that he fell out of the nest and that his mommy would take care of him. I really hope she was right. 

Yesterday we got a really nasty storm that knocked out our power for several hours. This is the worst of the damage in our neighborhood. This is the pond near the entrance and the playground and across from it was a large tree that came down in the wind. It also damaged the weeping willow next to it and I'm hoping that they won't have to cut down the willow now, too.

School's Out for Summer!

Today was my last teacher workday so when Alaina and I got home we officially began summer vacation. We filled her new baby pool with air and then water and Alaina had a blast. 

Pure joy!

Finally, on my way to school today I drove past a rafter of turkeys (yes, they are called a rafter). There were 4 adults and 4 babies; it was pretty amazing. I had to stop for a quick picture.

10 Years

Yesterday Harry and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary. It has been a WONDERFUL 10 years and I couldn't have asked for a better person to spend the time with. 

2003

2008 

Five Years

2013

Ten Years

I can't wait to see what other adventures the years ahead of will bring and I know I'll have the time of my life with my best friend and the love of my life at my side.

Playtime

Alaina enjoyed her playtime today and I was able to capture a few shots of her playing. 

First she and Harry built a really large tower. 

 

Then Alaina knocked it down. 

 

We ended the evening playing at the water table. Alaina loves playing with water and thankfully it is getting warm enough that she can play with her water table.