Ryan and his buddies took a trip to Florida for baseball spring training. They saw four games in four days including Ryan's all time favorite team, the Yankees.

To add icing to the cake, Ryan caught his first foul ball. Hard to believe this baseball lover had never caught one before.

And yes, I was jealous when he sent me this beach picture.

Tour of Charleston

We took a whirlwind tour of Charleston this past weekend. Always a wonderful destination, Charleston in spring is fabulous. We started out with a horse drawn carriage tour. Tessa was fascinated with the horses. I love the overview of the city and the tidbits of history that we learned along the way. Lil' Pink took an almost fatal leap off the back of the carriage. Thank you so much to the polite stranger who rescued her from the street.

Then it was time to shop, shop, shop. I was remarkably restrained and only bought one hat. Tessa picked out a very expensive sea grass basket, which we did not buy. My mom chatted with a local author and bought her book.

When the boys started acting hungry we headed to Hyman's for lunch. While we waited for a table, a hostess passed out hushpuppies. Tessa kept saying "More, please!" They are really yummy. She also ate the boiled peanuts, she is a South Carolina native after all.

After lunch, we followed the Gateway Walk and went off the beaten path. Through churches, cemeteries, alleys and gardens this walk was perfect for letting Tessa run free. The camellias and bulbs were in full bloom with azaleas just about to pop open. Charleston is made for walking and enjoying the scenery, so that's what we did.

Eventually, we ended up at Battery Park with it's fabulous live oaks and bay views. But not before Tessa had knocked on almost every door between Broad and East Bay Street. She and Lil' Pink were apparently making afternoon social calls. Thank goodness she knocks very gently and we didn't disturb anyone.
By this point, Tessa was tired enough to ride in the stroller. When she asked for a book to read, all I had available was the tour guide book. Thankfully, it had lots of pretty pictures and she was content with it. She finally fell asleep as we were cruising along the seawall. From there we could both admire the antebellum architecture and watch sailboats race. We walked past Rainbow Row and headed to dinner at Poogan's Porch where Tessa slept through the entire meal.

After dinner we had ice cream and pralines. And, last but not least, a trip to the pineapple fountain. It's no wonder this is my favorite city in the Continental US, there are pineapples everywhere you turn!

I Love You Animals

To say that my child likes stuffed animals would be an understatement, she loves them! We have an ever growing collection of plush pals that accompanies us all around the house. Tessa rattles off their names like a drill sargent doing roll call. Heaven help us if one is missing, we literally turn the house upside down until said animal is recovered. We actually have two stunt doubles - Music Bear and Pink - in the event that one of these favorites needs a trip to the washing machine. One traumatic laundry day and now Momma knows better than to think it's possible to sneak someone out while Tessa is sleeping.

Yes, these friends all sleep in the crib with Tessa. We love listening to her talking and laughing and playing with them after bedtime. One night, we peaked in and saw that she had arranged them on the rail of her crib. Animal angels to watch over my sleeping beauty? An audience for my little drama queen? Who knows what was going on in her creative little head before she called it a night.

The Swing Set

Our newest landscape addition is a swing set. Two week-ends of hard work and the result is one very happy little girl.


Of course, I had to document the progress with pictures. Ryan and his dad worked in the freezing cold. It took both of them to level everything, no small feat on our sloped lot. Here's the frame for the fort.

We stressed about the slide ending in the flower bed but decided to stick with the original assembly plans. Ryan did a whole lot of digging since this plan has the slide going uphill.

Just when he saw the light at the end of the tunnel, I asked him to move the slide.


What looked simple to me was actually not at all simple. But, Ryan did a great job with the modifications. Tessa was supervising.

The finished product, as seen from our deck. Tessa noticed that she has a great view of it from her room too.

Today the weather was beautiful and our playgroup was able to enjoy the new swing set!

Tessa and Jackson sliding and jumping.

Ethan climbing the rock wall all by himself!

I had toys on the patio for the kids to play with too, including the wagon. Did I mention our lot is very sloped? OK took a wild ride down the hill and put a few gray hairs on her momma's head. She was fine but, after that, we kept the wagon at the bottom of the hill. The girls were so cute, all wanting to be in the wagon together.

Ryan's 8 & 1/2 Birthday

My Leap Year Sweetheart turned 8 & 1/2 this year. His parents came in for a long week-end and we had a great time celebrating this non-birthday. Here's Ryan and his mom getting ready to grill.

Ryan and his parents enjoying the food.

Group shot of the birthday boy with the family. Tessa had no interest in sitting at the table until we were ready to eat cake.

Once Tessa spotted the cake, she could not wait to have her piece. I think she was actually banging her fork on the table while impatiently waiting for us to sing to Daddy. And yes, we sang Happy Birthday twice because my camera died on the first round. Thank goodness my parents had their camera. Tessa was so cute helping Daddy blow out the candles, but she did not like the smoke. Good thing I didn't put the real number of candles on Daddy's cake - bonfire!

Time for presents! Most presents these days are for Tessa, no matter whose birthday it is. I'm afraid there is some adult assembly required with this one.

We love the new Dora tricycle! Notice Lil' Bear is in the basket and ready to go for a spin.

Happy Birthday Daddy, we love you!

Pump It Up Party

Our sweet little friend OK turned 3 and her party was at the very popular Pump It Up. Happy Birthday Princess!

Frank and Paula were in town so Ryan and his dad stayed home to start building our new swingset (check back later for pictures of the finished product). Paula and I took Tessa to the birthday party. Nanny Paula was a good sport and even went down the big slide with Tessa. Here they are at the very top.

That was fun!

Tessa loves the obstacle course. I noticed other kids her age actually climbing the rock walls. Amazing! My little darling would hold up her arms and ask to be carried. Wow, what a work-out for Momma.

This was a ploy to get the girls to sit still for the picture. "Tessa give her a hug. Awww!" Click goes the camera. Ha!!! I just realized my blog sounds like an episode of Diego.

Date Night

The men of our SS class decided to organize an after Valentine's date night. I have to say I was impressed. Catered dinner, a photographer, a talented live band and dancing. We had such a good time! Thanks guys and Vicki who helped them out!


Check out our band Take 3.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCOuCzeaiOo

More Snow

It started snowing again on Friday afternoon. It took Ryan forever to make it home from work. We all know Southerners cannot drive in snow so the interstate was a mess. Not really believing that it would snow for more than five minutes, Tessa and I bundled up and played outside.

Of course, when Daddy finally made it home, he wanted to play in the snow too. Amazingly, it was still snowing - huge fluffy flakes.

We attempted snow angels but discovered snow ball fights were much more fun. Ryan managed to get a snowball down the back of my jeans which he and Tessa thought was hilarious.

When we woke up Saturday morning we were greeted by at least 5 inches of beautiful, powdery snow. We dug out the ski jackets and went out to play.

Our little family and our snow family.

Anabelle had a blast chasing snow balls up and down the hill. By afternoon, all the snow had melted but the memories will last a lifetime.

Geaux Saints

Daddy had a few friends over to watch the big game. My little socialite didn't want to be left out and used every delay tactic in the book before going to bed. It's hard to be strict when she's so cute!

Fast, fast, fast!

Tessa, Anabelle and I spend a lot of time walking on the path behind our house. Tessa loves to cruise by the ponds and look for ducks and geese. Usually we practice our numbers by counting the geese, and sometimes we feed them too. Other times Anabelle just chases the geese until they fly away honking indignantly. It's an entertaining way to get some fresh air and exercise.

One day, Tessa was fidgety and to distract her I started jogging with our big stroller. She loved it! From then on she always wanted to go fast, fast, fast! So, we recently invested in a jogging stroller. One child, three strollers! It's great and, as you can see by the huge smile, Tessa loves it. She's my little cheerleader and keeps me going when I get tired. "No slow Momma! Fast, fast fast!"