Life is just PEACHY!

Have I mentioned that I LOVE summer?! I have thoroughly enjoyed my first, official, FULL week off! The kids and I stayed pretty busy with play dates, story time at the library, play time in the kiddie pool, reading books, exploring the children's museum, cooking, and peach picking.

This morning, my friend Diane (or "Aunt DeDe" as Makayla calls her) and I took the children to Charlottesville to pick peaches. We got to the orchard slightly after 9:00 am before the heat of the day started to set in. After finding a few ripe ones, we headed to the bakery for some peach donuts and peach smoothies. We enjoyed these out on the deck overlooking the mountains. What a beautiful way to start the day!

We finished out the afternoon playing in the children's museum and having lunch on the downtown mall. Thank goodness for summertime, ripe peaches, beautiful days, and great friends! I feel so blessed!

Preparing for the big day.

Enjoying peaches, peach smoothies, and peach donuts...talk about a delicious overload on peaches!


A few other updates...
Our little garden is taking shape. We have pepper plants, corn, a few types of tomatoes, pumpkins, cucumbers, watermelon, sugar peas, and eggplant. The only plants that are actually producing at the time are the pumpkins and the tomatoes...we're so looking forward to harvest time. I enjoy watching Seth take such pride in our humble, little garden. This was supposed to be my project with the children...seeing as I have a track record of killing anything that's green, Seth has made this project his own. He is becoming quite the little farmer. I love it!


The pool is taking shape as well. I love watching the progress each day. Liam enjoys watching the heavy equipment, while Makayla loves telling everyone, "The little mans are making me a pool!" Ha! Gotta love it! Next week looks to be a big week. The landscapers are starting the hardscape/decking on Monday. There is a possibility that the "little mans" will put in the pool liner by the end of the week. That just leaves finishing touches on the hardscape and lots of water! It's really starting to feel real now.

Ahh!!!! Summer never gets old...even in the heat of it all, it's just PEACHY to me!

Blog City...

Well, it seems like a lot has happened since I last blogged. I finished up the school year, Liam celebrated his first birthday, and I have loved being home with the kiddos. A few recent happenings...

We went to a local book festival. The kids played games, had snacks, and got a free book. I think the highlight for Makayla was getting her whole face painted like a butterfly. The girl who painted her face specialized in small cheek designs, so she was very nervous painting Makayla's entire face. Her hand was shaking! I think it turned out cute regardless.


Makayla also got to visit with a local fireman and test drive the firetruck.
Makayla requested to convert her crib into a "big girl bed." We weren't prepared, so I ran out to get new sheets. I have yet to find a comforter set for her...still searching for something that will suit her for the next few years. We got her bed switched over, and she absolutely LOVES it. She looks adorable in it, and is so proud of it. She takes great pride in making her bed each day. Oh, she's growing up! :)

Liam is one! I can't believe it. I'm not sure how the past year went by so fast!

I got up early on Liam's birthday to put the finishing touches on food, decorations, etc. Not long after Liam's official birth time (7:33 AM) my cell phone alarm went off...turns out Liam set the alarm to go off when he was playing with my phone the day before...too funny! Not only that, he used his father's phone to call 911! Note to self: do not let this child play with cell phones! Oh, if he only knew what he was doing! :)

Liam's first birthday theme was a monkey theme. It all came together so nicely. We had everything from monkey cups, to bibs, to pin the banana on the monkey, to monkey glasses, etc. etc...you get the picture.

so sweet

Makayla preparing Liam's birthday waffles.

I made Liam his own "smash cake" just hoping he would dig right in. He, like Makayla, preferred to have the chocolate bliss fed to him...less messy this way. Shucks! I wanted a chocolate covered one year old! :)

Liam's 12 month crib shot
20 lbs. 30 1/4 inches

At one year...Liam is babbling up a storm. He has his own variation for lots of words, including "bitty" for Mickey Mouse...whew, we need to be careful in grocery store check-out lines. Certainly wouldn't want to offend the woman in front of us! He is not yet walking. He cruises everywhere, and will hold you hand to walk all over, but he's just not certain he can do it on his own yet. Soon enough. I guess you've figured out that he LOVES Mickey Mouse, he loves to dance, and he melts my heart everyday with his sly little grin and big blue eyes. I couldn't imagine life without him.

Groundbreaking news...
we've decided to put in a pool! They broke ground just days ago. We're looking at a completion date of early July. What a teacher's dream! A few pictures of the progress...










We have enjoyed our first few days of summer vacation, and look forward to all of the fun times in our future. Next items on our agenda...peach picking, more story times at the library, children's museum, and eventually the beach over the 4th of July. Have I mentioned I LOVE being home for the summer?! :)

Makayla's first trip to the movies.

Makayla sporting her new alien she won at a lawn party.

I hope you all take time to relax, play, soak up the sun, and just enjoy this beautiful season!