Wordless Wednesday-- Big

Fork

The salad and dinner fork were just too small for her.

And yes, that is Creme Brulee Coffee Mate with a splash of half regular/half decaf coffee that she was drinking. No judgement please.

Random Tuesday. . . with only one really gross picture

1. I want to take ballet. Seriously. Ballet. I want to be a ballerina. You laugh. Think about what great exercise it would be.

2. A few of you saw my facebook status asking what was on your summer playlist. To the rest of you, tell me. What is on your summer playlist?

3. I have called Caroline by her real name a lot lately. She still prefers Pam on occasion. I can't wait to see what name she comes up with this week.

4. Emma fell down the stairs a few days ago. I screamed. Thank God I keep clutter on my stairs because an empty box of diapers caught her. Next time you come over and wonder why there is an empty diaper box, clothes and shoes on the stairs... know that it is because it serves as a life saving device for my youngest child. I thought she was dead. She was just scared to death. No injuries.

5. Ashlyn just sent me a new tutu. I LOVE it! I can't wait to get some fabulous pictures. It is so beachy and beautiful.

6. Mom bought me a new phone, FINALLY! My sister and I now have matching Droids. Let me tell you, this phone is awesome. It does everything. I thought my blackberry was great. Well, going from a blackberry to a droid was like "going from a Pinto to an Escalade" (verizon salesman's exact words).

7. I publicly admitted today that I put Sun-In in my children's hair. No judgement please.

8. Caroline drank a whole bottle of Fruit2O last night. Is that normal? She drank it really fast.

9. What type of razor do you use? I use Ryan's because every razor I buy is terrible and doesn't get my legs as smooth as I like. Yes, it makes him angry. Therefore, I am asking for your help.

10. My blog was down for a little while a few days ago. Google said my account had been compromised. So, if you get a random e-mail from me do not open it. Sorry.

11. Girls night tomorrow! Yayy!

12. Fact that you probably don't know about me: I want a tattoo of a script L on my wrist. I just wish it didn't last forever. I'm sure I would be sick of it after a few days.

13. Caroline had dance camp last week. She loved it.

14. Have I ever told you that Caroline can flatulate on command? She can. Sometimes I wonder if she is really my child.

15. I have to plan Caroline's birthday party.

16. Our laptop cord died. Ryan went to buy one and the universal cord was like $110. What in the world? That is ridiculous.

17. In case you don't know my husband, let me tell you a little about him. When he gets something on his mind, he doesn't stop until he gets it. A few months ago we looked everywhere between here and Charlotte for a certain pair of Merrell shoes. Never found them. We found out later they didn't make the particular shoe he wanted. So, he gave up. Then he moved on to a kayak. Yes, a kayak. He has been wanting one. Long story short, he got one this past weekend. He was coming in from his second paddling expedition when he slipped and fell on an oyster shell. One urgent care trip, a big dose of lidocaine, lots of scrubbing of the wound, and 8 stitches later... he's all good.


Not the best quality picture. Taken with my phone.

18. I have a ton of pictures to upload and edited. I'll post again soon!

So different yet so much alike.

After spending a week at the beach watching both of my girls, I realized a few things.


Caroline marches to the beat of her own drum much like her mama. What can I say? We like to dance to our own song. We like to be different. I have always known this but it was evidently clear this past week.


Emma is a follower. I guess not so much in life but just her sister. She wants to march to the beat of her sister's drum and I just don't know that she is ready. Right now, she wants to do whatever Caroline does. Caroline wants a belly tattoo, Emma wants a belly tattoo. Bug has the whole "my big sister is cooler than your big sister" view on life right now. Which is understandable because, to be honest, her big sister does rock.


Caroline jumps head first into things. She is full force all of the time. Yes, even when she sleeps. I don't think that kid has slept peacefully since she was conceived 4 years ago. Seriously.


Bug is what I like to call a toe dipper. She tests things out before she jumps in. Not just water (because the child is definitely not afraid of the water), but just life in general. It takes her a minute to warm up to situations. She is calm in many ways but much like her sister in many others. Example in point, she now calls me a dodo head. Yes, a dodo head. I like to think of it as a term of endearment.


Caroline is not a child that is going to sit still long enough to allow anyone to cuddle with her. Her mind is constantly turning and she never stops. She constantly asks why to things I don't know the answer to. She makes me question my parenting skills on a daily basis and the girl can make you want to pull your hair out.


Emma loves nuzzling her sweet smelling head into my shoulder. She loves to be held and rocked. She loves quiet. She, most importantly, loves sleep. She is the calm in the hurricane named Caroline. Although, we've seen Hurricane Emma a few times in her 21 months of life.

I have two amazingly strong and independent children.

So different yet so much alike.

No matter what do you or where you go, march to your drum my sweet girls. Make it loud. Make sure everyone hears it. Be strong. Have faith. Have hope. Be understanding. Be independent. And most importantly don't call anyone other than Mama a "dodo head".

Beautiful sunset...

... oh how I miss you.

Life's a beach.

We spent the weekend at the beach. It was beautiful all weekend.


We decorated with flags...


Caroline modeled my hat...


Emma froze...




Caroline also found a whelk egg case. These are commonly known as a "Mermaid's Necklace". This is the first one I have ever seen in real life.


And for those of you who love to hear about our food... We had dinner at one of our favorites, Amos Mosquitos.
We had their yummy fried pickles as our appetizer. This is a must if you go to Amos. I wasn't terribly hungry so I just had a Caesar Salad. Ryan had an awesome platter with a skewer of grilled red peppers and scallops, a skewer of jumbo grilled shrimp, a piece of yellowfin tuna grilled rare (delicious) all on top of a bed of mixed greens. The platter was completed with the most awesome black beans and rice you have ever tasted. I added a few pieces of his seafood to my salad. I had a glass of wine. Ryan had a gin and tonic before the meal and beer with his dinner. Afterwards, we made room for their delicious Godiva chocolate Creme Brulee. Again, this is a MUST at Amos. They have different flavors every day. I think my favorite has been the Godiva chocolate.

How did you spend your long Memorial weekend?

Monday Randoms

1. Our beach date night turned into a date weekend. Thanks to my wonderful inlaws and my wonderful parents. You guys rock and we love you more than words can say.

2. I get drunk off of two glasses of wine. I sober up quickly though.

3. Bill Maher is a pathetic human being. You suck at life, you dumbass. You are the epitome of a mother f-er if I have ever known one. What.a.jerk. You will die and burn in hell. I hope you enjoy it. Jerkface.


4. Bill Maher followers, you suck too. To one follower, in particular, you are a jerkface too. When you said "he is an awesome guy other than the fact that he is a democrat" speaks volumes on just how much you "think" you know about politics. Idiot.

5. My husband says thyme like it is spelled. He does not say "time". I giggle every thyme. ;-)

6. I had a fantastic salad Saturday night. I am still thinking about it. A classic spinach salad with hot mustard dressing. Yum-O! I got it here. We went to dinner with a fabulous, fun group of friends {SHE was part of the group. So fun!}.

7. Friday night I found the most fabulous chicken salad on the island at The Monkey Bar in Atlantic Beach. I can't even describe how delicious it was.

8. To the new owners of Roma Pizza... I am extremely disappointed in your pizza. It isn't half as good as it once was. It made me feel yucky {hence the reason I only had a salad and stuffed potato for dinner Saturday night}. I will not eat pizza from there again.

9. We laid out on the beach Saturday afternoon. I almost froze to death but it was so enjoyable.

10. My children were spoiled rotten this weekend. Seriously. To top that, they are both still extremely exhausted.

11. I helped Emma down the slide today. When she got to the bottom, she looked at me with those huge eyes and said, "Sank Jew". Sweet thing. I could eat her.

12. Caroline says she is 5 and her name is Eliza this week.

13. I want a dog. A great dane preferably. We have no where to keep a dog and Ryan says we can't afford to feed a dog that big. So, I will give him a choice. A great dane or a teacup pig. Have you ever seen a teacup pig? Google it. You will thank me later.

14. Thanks to Jewel, I now what to learn to crochet and sew.

15. Meet my friend Kelly. She is awesome, beautiful and just started blogging. Be sure to follow her. She is the mommy of a precious angel, Austin.

16. Gawd, I wish was a real housewife of New Jersey... just for one day!

17. I'll post again soon.

Wordless Wednesday: Taking a break

NOTE: These are not my children. I don't even know these people. I just thought it was a beautiful opportunity to take a great picture. That is all... carry on.

Randoms

1. The beach makes me happy.

2. So does my little family.

3. Date night Friday night was fun other than the fighting and the not speaking to my husband part. PS- If you know me, you know that I was definitely NOT the one that was not speaking. Stupid fight. It's over now. Thank goodness.

4. We had dinner at Shepard's Point in Morehead. I had a old school spinach salad with the best hot bacon dressing I've ever tasted and for my entree... fried chicken and waffles. This was probably the most fattening meal I've ever eaten. It was different. It was too odd not to order. I'm glad I did but I don't think I've ever order it again.

5. We attended a princess birthday party this weekend. All went well except for a small altercation between my child, the birthday princess, a toy key and the birthday princess' eye. Fun times.

6. We had the awesome opportunity to have two date nights this weekend. Saturday night we headed to one of my all time favorite restaurants, The Flying Shamrock. I had the Killarney Wrap which consisted of Sliced Grilled Chicken with melted Provolone Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato and Buffalo Sauce on a Spinach Flour Tortilla that was warmed in the sandwich press. The meal was complete the an awesome pasta salad. I also ate most of Ryan's Mile High Hot Sauce on my wrap because it was freaking delicious. It is made in a small town near ours and you should try it. If you are not from around here, you can order it online.

7. We watched the Blind Side tonight. Great movie. I cried a little.

8. Caroline went to bed Saturday night at 7:30 and slept till almost 9am Sunday morning. The chick was tired.

9. Bug fell Friday and hurt her knee Friday. It bled a little. She dealt with it well. She was proud of her booboo. Until today, after falling time and time again while playing putt-putt. Blood was running down her leg. Poor thing. Hopefully it will heal soon.

10. Cape Cod's Sweet and spicy Jalapeno chips are my new favorite. Thank you Ryan for introducing me.

11. I still have not received my order from Kelly's Kids. I was told it would ship this past Wednesday. I checked the status of my order Wednesday morning and it backordered even longer. I should cancel but I really want that dress for Caroline. When you see it, you will know why. It is beautiful!
My plan of action is as follows, I will call everyday at 4pm and speak with management about the status of my order. This will ensure that the backorder status will not keep changing. I can make their lives a living hell and by making a late afternoon call everyday... that should get it done. {Big thanks to my friend Jeff for the idea. You are awesome.}

12. On average my children say "Mama" or some form of the word AT LEAST 240,000 times a day. It has become obsessive and major thought is being put toward an effort to change my name. Any ideas are welcome.

13. I am done for tonight. I will write later. My book and bathtub are calling my name.

BUT... I can't leave without sharing a few more pictures.

The world is at your fingertips

...dance crazy...





...eat sand...



...wear silly glasses...


....give fives...


...wear zebra print and let your mommy take pictures of your cute butt...


...and let the wind blow in your face...



...always remember that you are loved...

...and that you rock...

Love,
Mommy/Aunt Hailey/Miss. Hailey

The small things are what matter most

There is this perfect moment that I don't hear often. In the past week, I've heard it twice.

It only lasts for a few seconds but when it is over your world is refreshed, renewed.

It first happened last Friday afternoon on the beach with the hubs.

There was a moment when the waves were quiet. When I was between words in my book. When I had just inhaled and their was a pause before my exhale. The wind stopped for a second.

It was perfect.

That moment, that quiet, that rest, was perfection. I dream that is what my Heaven will be like.

I've never heard that perfect moment until now. Maybe it's because I'm trying to learn how to not take life for granted so I am noticing the small things.

Next time you are on the beach. Take your time. It will happen when you least expect it. When it happens you will know it.

For a small moment the whole world is at rest and all is right in the world.

That quiet is forever-changing.

Sand, shells, and. . .

... oh MY!

It looks like Jaws. It isn't. There were porpoises playing right in front of us Friday afternoon.