Our weather has been fabulous this week. On Monday, Tessa and I went to Falls Park after our library time. The flowers downtown are beautiful! We walked the Swamp Rabbit Trail and played at the park, such a relaxing day.
My little Southern Belle has discovered fried chicken. I was sharing bites with her from my plate when she grabbed the whole breast and started chowing down. She knows the best part is the yummy crunchy outside!
We had a great day at the zoo with our sweet friends. The girls were adorable running around checking out the animals. I think Tessa liked the big baboon the best. My favorite comment of the day was when Tessa looked at some strangers and said "Hey y'all!" So friendly.
We played on both playgrounds at the zoo and Daddy joined us for a picnic too. Lots of other people took advantage of the good weather and the holiday too. It was a zoo - hahaha!!!
I would love to say that Tessa is roaring like a bear here, but I think she is saying "DOWN!" Just wait Baby, Momma wants a picture on the cute bear.
So, we made a big deal about how wonderful her new Big Girl Bed was. She helped us make the bed and put all her animals in place. To my surprise she hopped in bed, snuggled with her bear and said "Night Night!" Really?! Had we waited so long that it would be this easy?
She took a few experimental trips out of her room after bedtime and we calmly escorted her back to bed. When we peeked on her later she was fast asleep in her bed. Success!
So now we have a new rule - after 7am Momma and Daddy's bed is fair game. I have a feeling this may be the only time I'll get any sleep for awhile.
Here she is hanging out with Gamma and Gampa while we wait. 
There were different booths for facepainting, coloring, and bouncing so the kids would be entertained while waiting for the hunt to begin. My little dancer thought the best part was the loud music. So cute! 
Oh Momma, that was fun!!!
And yes, I was jealous when he sent me this beach picture. 
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.
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. 
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.
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.
The finished product, as seen from our deck. Tessa noticed that she has a great view of it from her room too.
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. 
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. 
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.
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.
