Playing catch up with a list of randoms

1. At least this Eastern North Caroline weather has done one thing for us... Taught us how to breathe with a blanket over our face.  The humidity was ridiculous today.

2.  We went to stay with my BIL and SIL a few weeks ago.  We attended the Lafone family reunion in the hills of Hickory, NC. I was falsely identified as a cousin's girlfriend.  Everyone got a good chuckle.  We had an awesome time.

3.  We also rode the boat on Lake Norman. I sang this song in my head the entire time.



We stopped at Vinnie's on the lake and had a fabulous lunch.

The we rode some and the kids swam.  A good time was had by all.

4.  Bug turned 4 last Wednesday, tear.  4.  That is such a big girl age.  It is not like geting older makes mothering any easier though. The older they get, the bigger they get.  They become forces to be reckoned with that you can't hold down anymore.

We celebrated her birthday for almost a week.  We ate pizza for almost every meal.

She got everything she wanted:
- a pink chandelier
- new Jessie doll (she left her other Jessie in the scooter and it rained.  Jessie has mildew all over her now)
- a real Bullseye
- bows
- dresses
- Doc Mcstuffins talking doll
- monogrammed leotards for dance
- a dance bag
- charm bracelet

5.  Our week nights are completely filled.  We have activities every night of the week except Tuesday and Friday.  I am waiting for something to pop up on Tuesdays.  It is nice to stay busy but I already need a break.

Our normal weeknight schedule:
Monday- Caroline Tennis Lessons
Tuesday- Open
Wednesday- Caroline Gymnastics then she has to go straight to GAs
Thursday- Emma Dance Lessons, Dinner with the Lafone's (it is our ritual and we love it)
Friday- Open

Shew.  I know it is only going to get more crazy when they get older.

6.  Excuse my not blogging.  Getting into the swing of the new school year and activities has been challenging.  I think I have got it figured out now.

HappyHappy

Ryan,

Today you turn 27. 3 more years and you will be 30. This bothers you for some reason so I like throwing it in your face.

I don't feel very mushy so, I just want to tell you Happy Birthday.

You've still got swagger and could totally be a Baywatch Bitch. The world now knows about your fear of a crack and the fact that we don't take the small things for granted anymore.

Thank you for completing my life and being my best friend. Our little family makes me so happy... even on the bad days. I love you more than you will ever know.

Happy Birthday!!

"Can you play me a memory
I'm not really sure how it goes
But it's sad and it's sweet and I knew it complete..."

Another Birthday.

We had another birthday party the other night. November and December are our birthday months. We celebrated my aunt Lesley's birthday.

I would also like to make a public apology. Lesley, I was wrong about the age menopause sets in. On average, you have 11 more years. {Big thanks to google for helping me produce that answer.}

Birthday parties around our house are loud, overwhelming, a lot to handle... what am I saying? To an outsider, ALL of our family functions I'm sure seem overwhelming.

Just listen to a few conversations I overheard last night.

"Mama, your hair looks like Michael Landon."


"I can't believe it! She just heard everything I said." {Talking about an old aunt that can't hear.}

"Lesley, that would be really cute with a pair of tights." That "dress" was totally a shirt.

Emma yelled "BATH" for a good portion of the night. What can I say? The kid is addicted to the bathtub... Caroline rode her three-wheeler as fast as her little legs would carry her... Brandon recited movies and TV shows.

Then we had a conversation about who had eaten/cooked/tried chitlins. {Gross. I just vomited in my mouth thinking about it.}

Fun times.

PS- You are invited to our next family gathering. Get excited!

Happy Birthday Emma.

Dear Emma,

Today, you turn one. 12 months old. Where has the time gone?

Words cannot describe the joy you bring to our lives.

You are the sweetest baby I know. You love giving kisses {even though you bite sometimes} and you snuggle up on my chest so sweet.

Night-night time is our time. As you hold your bottle and close your eyes, I rick-rock you into sweet dreams. I hum a song and off you go. You love sleep. That amazes me. Your sister... she HATES it. You nap everyday. You are on a sleep schedule. Again, this is amazing.

From the beginning, you have been a strong-willed fighter. You are determined to get what you want. You don't even rely on me or Daddy to do it for you. A big soul in a little body.

We call you Bug or Buggy. I don't really remember why. One day, when you were tiny, I said that you kind of looked like a bug. It stuck. Bug stuck. I love it. It fits you so well. You are our little Bug-a-boo. Sweet Buggy.

You are slowly learning to walk. So far, the most steps you have taken has been 5. We are so proud. You will be running all over the house in no time. You have also learned to climb one step. You will climb up on the step and sit there until you are ready to get down. Then, you will scream for me or Daddy and we will come save you. So cute.

You love Caroline so much. You want to do everything that she does. Sometimes, Caroline will slow down for a few minutes to play with you. Those are super sweet moments. You will play tea party together or do puzzles. You act like you are 3 just like her. There are fights between you two sometimes. There was your birthday party, for instance, where you pushed Caroline away from your cake. You decided you didn't want to share. Then there was the time you decided to bite Caroline because she wouldn't leave you alone. You are sisters though and you love each other. You are going to be best friends and I can't wait.

Happy Birthday Bug. You are my baby. Slow down. Don't get big too fast. Take your time, snuggle always and always call on Mama and Dada before you take a big step.

I love you always and forever,
Mommy

*Don't forget to turn up your volume!

Emma's 1st Year from Hailey Lafone on Vimeo.

I smell 30.

Today, you are 26.

26.

Almost 30.

The big 3-0. {smile}

This has been a super stressful year. It all started with me hitting a stop sign after last years birthday dinner. Followed by Emma being born at 32 weeks and me being super sick. It has ended with us being in one of the happiest places we have been in a long time.

Each day with you brings new adventures. Caroline loves you better than Peter loved the Lord and Emma gets the shakes when she sees you. You are adored. When we met 9 years ago, who would have thought this is where we would be today. You are one lucky guy and I am one lucky girl.

Thanks for being my best friend and the father to my children. I love you more than anything {even if you did admit that you used to own a calligraphy set}.

We love you more than anything {nothing compares to you},

Hailey, Biggie, and Buggy

Happy Birthday to ME!

***Edited to add: My birthday is the 26th of this month. Thanks for all of the early birthday wishes though.



1. Old Navy Shorts
Last year I bought a similar pair of shorts from Old Navy. I loved them. This year I want black, yellow, and green.


2. Skinny Jeans
The best part about these jeans... I found them at Forever 21 for $14.50. Can you say WOW?

3. Smocked Jersey Maxi Dress
When I first saw this dress, I knew I had to have it. It is going to look great on the cruise AND it looks very comfy.

4. Drape Dress
Again, I saw this and fell in love. Where am I going to wear it? Who knows? It is also $14.50. Forever 21 has loads of GREAT deals.

5. Ruche dress
Love this dress. I want to wear it to our formal night on the cruise. I think it would look great.

6. I skipped six. I just realized it. I am too lazy to go back and fix it so just put these AND these in there for six. No biggie. ONLY KIDDING!



7. Feather dress

8. Ruffle Pleated top
I thought this was a cute shirt that would look good with the Old Navy shorts I want. For $10, it was a steal. I can wear it with just about anything.

9. Ruffle Pebble Dot Top
I love shirts that fit around the neck like this one. They also have a red dot shirt however they don't have my size. I will settle for the navy.

10. Ribbed Tank
I am NOT a pink person. At.All. However, I like this shirt and pink was the best color of the three to choose from. I also think that it will look very "Hamptons" with the green and yellow Old Navy shorts.


1. Green Sandals
Can you tell that this color green is going to be my summer color? I LOVE these shoes. Love them!

2. Gladiator sandals
I wanted a pair of these last summer. I couldn't find a pair under $100. Hello! I found these at Forever 21 for a simple $15.80. You can't beat that. I just hate to spend a lot of money on these shoes because I will be over them in about a year.

3. Silver Strappy sandal
Old Navy makes the best sandals. I love these. I can wear them with everything this summer.

4. Tory Burch Reva Patent Ballet Flats
This is my one "splurge" item on my list(s). I just love the green and I want a pair of Tory Burch ballet flats. Maybe I should get a color that is going to stay in style though?! I'll think about it.

5. Big brown sunglasses
I have these Costa Del Mar sunglasses. However, I need a pair of big sunglasses like these. I broke mine a while back and I have been wanting some more ever since.

6. Shield Sunglasses
These are like the Costa's that I want. These are a little bit cheaper though. I LOVE them!

7. Gold Henna Studded Cuff
Love it!

8. Vintage Floral Metal Bangle
Love it!

As I was making my list, I would check sizees and everything to see if what I wanted for backordered. Nothing make me more mad than to want something, get my hopes up and then when I order it... it is backordered. Anyway, I check on my bathing suit that I wanted to show my stretch marks off in. Guess what? Backordered until May 20th. I said at least 3 ugly words.
Anyway, I began the search for a new bathing suit to take on the cruise. Let me just tell you... I almost lost it when I found out that Ashley Paige was designing bikinis for Target. ASHLEY FREAKIN' PAIGE. How did I NOT get that memo?? So... guess what I want?



Of course, they are not my first choice. However, because they are Ashley Paige makes all right in Hailey's world.

I can't decide which on I like better. The top one was the one I liked at first. However, the one below it looks a lot like her "Knit Kini" which makes me like it a little more. What do you think?
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So, I think that covers what I want for my birthday. There you have it Mom. Surprise me! I can't wait!