Rinse Cycle:

Hmm, something's not right here...

Up close and personal:

A very merry birthday...

Thank you to all who have wished me a happy birthday, or were instrumental in gifting time with my hubbs.

Let's see, inventory:

Lunch date with hubby minus kids,

new undergarmets purchased,

the Settlers of Catan game purchased,

broken glasses,

ordered midwife goods off cafepress.com,

surprise bowling party with friends,

yummy homemade german chocolate cake,

a day with my family (parents and sisters fam's),

swimming fun,

lemon cake + lemon icing,

homemade chocolate icecream,

surprise present to come in the post!

See!? Lots of good stuff....

And now to the pictures of my lovely family...

Family Vacation 2010

We had such a wonderful time with my in-law family here! The tightness of 11 people in one house was lessened by the vacancy of our apartment. The kids had SUCH a great time playing with their cousins. Not only was there the traditional too much food, but thiHere's a summary of the week...

Day One: Arrival and relaxation



Day Two: Swimming at my parents.



Day Three: Swimming at Folly Island, Open air market in downtown Charleston, Water fountain play at Waterfront park




Day Four: Library outing, Mommy/Daddy double date with Aunt and Uncle (AWESOME) (...best burgers in town and fondu...)


Day Five: Water fun at Saluda Splash, more swimming pool play




Day Six: rest

Little Fishy, Big Fishy...

My parents have a pool in their back yard. It's great... no public pool woes! And free entry any time... Steve is reliving his childhood, asking every afternoon to go swimming. (He's the big fishy!)

We are marveling at the Little Fishy and how quickly he's adapting to the water. He is 19 months old and loves kicking around the 3ft end, supported of course. He even went down the slide. we started small, but then with his permission we guided him all the way from the top to land safely in daddy's arms, and never going under. I have high expectations for him. Balance is key with swimming and I think we'll have the general knack by the end of the summer. He's a brave little adventurer and a sweet little fishy!

Another First: SWIMMING POOL!

Yesterday my friend casually invited us to go swimming with her family. And I said SURE! What fun... L.'s first swimming pool experience. I was a bit worried because lately he has been screaming when we put him the in the tub for bath time (thus we have reverted to showers.. a little more precarious.. but less screaming involved.)

I went to the store and found a great Baby Float for Stage 1. It was exactly what I was hoping for. It has a handle and even a canopy for shade. Then we found the diaper aisle. I had to purchase the 'little swimmers' which are supposed to not balloon out like paper diapers typically do. Then we headed over!

The water was VERY chilly.. um.. more arctic than chilly... but I figured as past experience has proven, after you are wet it's not so bad... or maybe after you are numb you don't feel the cold anyway!

L. protested only fractions of what I expected, Praise the Lord. I suppose he was voicing his dislike of the arct-- um, chilly water. But alas, he was numbed up to not mind it and this was the result. A good first swim!