Me oh my, the life of a single mom

Needless to say, Adam has a crappy schedule. He really always has, that being one of the big reasons he has gone back to school to start a new profession. We have participated in as much as we could together this summer, but there have been several events we have either missed out on or Harper and I have attended stag. This leading to the running joke that I am a single mom.

Last week, Harper and I, along with my parents and brother, trucked on down to Emerald Isle to stay with my Aunt & Uncle and cousins for a couple days. They rent a place every year and the family, who live all over the country now, all meet for a week at the beach. It's a great family tradition that we are always thrilled to be invited to.

Three years ago, Adam and I did go to the beach together. It was the summer after our wedding. Since then, because of ridiculous work schedules, I have been forced to hitch a ride with my parents and enjoy my extended family partnerless. My aunt, at this point, is convinced I've done away with him and buried him in the backyard (upcoming post with pictures to prove that is not the case). Here's hoping that sometime in the years to come Adam can make an appearance at my families beach sabbatical.

Harper playing with her cousin Forest. These 2 had a great time together and shared a love for literature. Nothing like getting lost in a good book at the beach.

Here's Harper playing with her cousins Cameron and Jada. Cameron's toys were a big hit after hearing "no no, don't touch that" for 2 days.

Harper and her cousin Juris had big fun in the sand. There was a lot of work to be done, but having a partner makes it all seem like a day at the beach.

It's nice to just look into the waves of the ocean and reflect on life and what it all means.

That is until...HOLY CRAP... a rogue wave threatens your very existence.

This house was ideal for our family, as we tend to be more pool/lake goers than beach bums. It had a gorgeous pool on the back deck over looking the ocean. We admittedly spent a good percentage of our time lapping it up in the pool. Harper has become a real daredevil in the water. She got so comfortable jumping off the side, if I wasn't watching, she would just go...with or without a catcher.

Oh, she seems kind of nice.

Harper met a new friend up at North Hills this last weekend. She's exactly the same age, about the same height, and has the same shy little wave. It was kismet.

Fashion Friday

This week our emphasis is on how to dress up a down dressed outfit. It really isn't as complicated as it may sound. With the addition of a couple cute accessories or even just one attention getting embellishment, the simplest t-shirt can be transformed into an ensemble ready for the night.
Don't be afraid to experiment girls... and guys. Your initial mistakes could lead to the next wave in fashion.

Look what Harper just picked up for fall!

Yes that is her calf bulging out of the top of the boots. Looks like we still have some slimming down to do.

I'm just going to pass the buck and let someone else do the talking

There is no need to take this into my own hands when it has already been done so perfectly. Emilee took some pictures of Harper and her, literally, life long friend Savannah today. She posted them on her professional blog so I'm just going to give you the link to see it for yourselves.

http://emileebeth.com/blog/2010/08/savannah-harper-a-spot-of-tea-raleigh-children-and-tea-party-photographer/comment-page-1/#comment-1463


Here are a couple extra's that didn't make it to Emilee's blog.

Where have I been...this place is AMAZING!

I'm not going to bore you with a wordy post. No need, the ridiculous amount of pictures will say it all.
Harper and I have officially hit the Raleigh museum circuit. A couple weeks ago we went to the Life and Science Museum with our friends Whitely, Steve and Tully. It's nice for a couple reasons...1.) It's free...2.) It's entertaining. We had a great time with everyone and I'm sure will be making a repeat visit. Last week we decided to keep the ball rolling with a trip to the Marbles Children's Museum. We have been waiting to go to Marbles for when Harper was walking and when Adam had a day off. Well Harper has been walking for 5 months, Adam's free day, well that took a little longer. Anyway, we made it and it was incredible!! We would have been there for a week had we not taken the reins and physically moved Harper along to each station. By the time we left...2 1/2 hours later, we purchased the year's pass. Needless to say, we will be frequenting this little slice of heaven.

I took 270 pictures while we were there. I have narrowed them down as best I could. Just make sure you have food near you and have visited the rest room recently and you should be good. Enjoy

Life & Science Museum

Marble's Children's Museum

We played games.

Drove a boat.

Rode in cars with boys.
Adam and I got pretty lax with Harper while she was there. We let her just ride off with some random firefighter.

Did a little slipping and sliding.
She LOVED the slide. She would scoot herself up to the edge and slide down by herself. Dad had a little trouble letting her go completely on her own.

Watched the fish.

We wrote letters.

Built something with sticks.

Played with a train set.

Painted a masterpiece.

Played in water.

Still played in water.

We had a hard time pulling her away from the water station. She was SOAKED by the time we left.

Drove a submarine.

Navigated the high seas...with dad.

Watered the garden.

Drank out of a cup by ourselves.

Drove a bus.

Built a house...with dad.

Met some surprisingly beautiful people.

We reached out and touched the world...

...then we rocked it.

did a little balancing act, in our tutu.

Scored a goooooooooal!!!

Climbed...with dad.

Tried to drive the Wachovia $ truck home.

Played in the ball pit.

And spotted gummy bears.

It was a very full day. She was literally asleep before we got out of the parking garage.

Ahhhhh...Pet Peeve

One of my biggest pet peeves is when people stick their hand into a bag/bowl of chips and take FOREVER to take one. JUST PICK A CHIP! Seriously, how long can it take? I have discovered that, along with my husband (yes Adam you do that) Harper is guilty of this horrific action. Her pattern is slightly different though. She will select a chip, or in most cases a goldfish, quite quickly. She will then eat it and stick her hand back in the bag leaving it there until she is ready to eat another one.

I still love her though.

Harper has to get this for Christmas or she'll just DIE

I know starting a new "traditional" blog post is probably not the best idea. Especially, considering I can't even keep up with the only one I already have, however, this one is different. As I come across things that are too wonderful for Harper to live with out, but too expensive for our wallets right now, I'm going to display them in a post I appropriately call "Harper has to get this for Christmas or she'll just DIE". That way there is no weekly deadline or topic I have to stick to.

There's no holds barred on this list...anything goes, as you will see.

HAPPY SHOPPING :)



Remember this little ditty Harper found herself in?

I FOUND IT IN PINK!!

I also found this in pink.

Now, I have wanted an Audi TT since they came out. Unfortunately, they are not such a family car. However, they make a great little roadster for a 2 year old.

Who says girls can't drive off road? She could do a lot of damage in this bad boy.

Classic little red convertible would make any girl happy.

Or she could just go sweet, simple and environmentally safe in a little yellow bug.

The best thing about most of these is that, even if she can't reach the peddle yet, they have a remote control so we can drive her around! It even has a safety feature that overrides her controls in the car if she is nearing a dangerous situation. I just can't see a reason not to get one.

Oh yeah...the price.