You Live and Learn

Stephen and Jonathan got to go see the Charleston Battery play the New York Red Bulls on Tuesday night.  The girls and I decided to tag along so we could visit Rachie and the girls while the boys were at the game.  It was so fun to just hang out with them.  Aubrey rearranged Rachel's house for her and Lily Kate was a little momma getting them toys and anything else they might need.  

Cousins in the Um Bo Eem.

Rachel and Jonathan were able to reserve us a room on Columbia International University's campus so we could stay near by.  It was great-

However I had the craziest night with the girls yet.  We left Rachel's around 8, so that my girls wouldn't be up too late- wow was I wrong.  We should have just stayed at Rachel's to hang out- Aubrey was wide open and wide awake until 11:15pm!  I tried every trick in the book-I even threatened lima beans for breakfast!  While I was pretending to sleep, she stepped on my head and plugged my nose,  then she ran around like a crazy woman and even busted into my hiding place (aka the bathroom).  I don't know if she just got overly tired or what, but she usually goes to bed around 6:30-7.    Somehow amidst all the chaos, Lily Kate fell asleep.  Stephen got home from the game at midnight and we were both hoping to sleep in.  Guess who woke up bright eyed at 7AM!!

Here's a few pictures I took the next morning to remember our wild and crazy night.

Bookworm

Maybe it's because we started Story time at the Library when she was 3 months old, maybe it's just genetics, but Lily Kate loves to read. 

She wakes up around 7:30, but isn't allowed to come out of her room until her alarm clock turns green.  She has "quiet time" in her room until she can come out.  The past few mornings when I go in to make her bed I find her children's Bibles scattered on her bed.  I love that she has a hunger for the Word even though she can't read yet.  This kid is going to love preschool next year!

Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.  Deuteronomy 8:3b

We're Going to the Lodge

We got to get together with Kyle & Jackie and their fam this weekend and make some memories at the Great Wolf Lodge in Concord.  The kids had a blast (the parents did too, but man is it exhausting :))

Group shot

Chillin on the balcony

PJ storytime

Aubrey LOVES Uncle Kyle 

Macy Claire & Aubrey weren't so sure about Oliver- but the big kids loved him!

Coloring time

Lily Kate concentrating to stay in the lines

Sweet cousins- Macy Claire and Aubrey

Lily Kate loved the bunk bed- she slept on the top, AJ on the bottom

Swimming with Daddy

We had to make a pit stop at Concord Mills.  Jackie and I can't be that close to outlets and not go!

Two shopaholics in the making

Happy Memorial Day!

We are thankful today for those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom!

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

John 15:13

Splish, Splish, Splash!

As I stated in my last post, Bible study finished up a few weeks ago.  The ladies from my core group thought it would be fun to get together one more time.  We met at Linebergers Park in Gastonia for a picnic lunch and the kids played on the spray ground.  It was the perfect day for it and we had a great turn out!

We are the New Moms Core and 6 of our members had babies over the course of the year.  It was crazy to see how big they are all getting!

 I have a new found love of spraygrounds.  I definitely need to try several out that Charlotte has to offer!  Where are your favorites?

 Aubrey was more into the eating and sunbathing...not so much the spray ground.  She hates to walk barefoot in grass.  I set her barefoot on the picnic blanket to eat her lunch.  Thirty minutes later I realized the grass all around was working as a barrier to keep her there!  A wall-less playpen!

Matching outfits: A. because I think it's cute. 

B. So I can easily pick them out in the crowd.

Disclaimer: I do have a full sized towel for Aubrey, I just couldn't find it!

Scary Mom Moment

Our "summer" started a few weeks ago when Bible Study finished up.  We have been enjoying the more relaxed pace of life.  This Tuesday, since we didn't have any plans, we decided on an impromptu trip to Discovery Place Kids in Huntersville.  The girls love it and our membership expires soon :)

The girls were both playing in the grocery store- Lily Kate arranging flowers and Aubrey pushing around a grocery cart. My OCD self couldn't help but organize the fruits and vegetables.  When I looked up, Aubrey was gone.  Heart leaped to my throat- I quickly told Lily Kate to come with me and look for her sister.  We did several loops through the different rooms (Cafe, Marine area, Farm, Doctors office) I couldn't find her.  I had just started to panic and go find an employee to help when there was my little shopper- smiling proudly as she pushed her grocery cart over by the water table.  A kind employee was following her and about to report that they had found her.  

Scary Mom moment!!!  After this moment, I will never judge anyone who has their toddler on a leash, I might even go buy one!

The little shopper (photo from a previous trip)

Veterinarian Lily Kate

Veterinarian Aubrey has a different treatment approach

Five minutes after I lost Aubrey, JjaJa showed up to surprise us!  We played some more and then enjoyed a picnic!

Perfect day for a picnic

Disney World Photo Book

What have I been doing in my spare time??  Check out the photo books I made for the girls.  Thus the reason for no posts this week :)

Click here to view this photo book larger

Aubrey's Alphabet

Aubrey enjoyed Disney World, but wasn't as in to it all.  (She was actually frightened of many of the characters) so I decided to make her an alphabet book instead!  I think she's going to LOVE it!

Click here to view this photo book larger

Build your own high-quality photo books at Shutterfly.com.

Wordless Wednesday