Zanna and Daniel Tie the Knot!

This past weekend Jay and I headed down to Fort Walton Beach to celebrate the marriage of my best friend Zanna to her fiance, Daniel. Zanna and Daniel had been dating for almost 10 YEARS, so this was a huge event! I was so honored that Zanna asked me to be the matron of honor. Jay drove his new Wagoneer down to Florida, so that was an adventure alone! :)

We arrived just in time for the rehearsal. I was so proud of Jay because he helped out a lot organizing the wedding party for the big day.

Zanna prepared a yummy rehearsal dinner of BBQ, slaw, and corn. She hosted the dinner at her and Daniel's new house. I absolutely loved the house. It had so many interesting details, including a shower with all the jets in different directions. I took a shower in it the next morning and swore I would make the drive just for another shower! After dinner, we kicked the boys out of the house and had a girls' only sleepover. Zanna presented her bridesmaids with the cutest monogrammed pajamas!

The next day we spent time getting beautiful for the big event, including pedicures. Jay and I did slip off for a little lunch date at the Crab Trap overlooking the beach. We thoroughly enjoyed some oysters and watching beach volleyball.

 

After the beach wedding, the guests went upstairs at a local restaurant, Anglers, and had the entire top floor for the reception.

 

 Rachel made another fabulous creation for the Groom's Cake: A Craps Table!

 One of the biggest hits at the reception was the photo booth inside the elevator. As you can tell from the following photos, we know how to make a fun and memorable picture! :)

Zanna's new sister-in-law caught the bouquet! We had such a good time celebrating Mr. and Mrs. Martin. Jay and I will never forget this special event.

Congratulations Zanna and Daniel!

Preschool Water Day

Tuttle's preschool held a water day last Thursday to celebrate the end of the school year this week. I found out last minute that the girls and I could watch the fun, so we packed up the stroller and headed over to the school. Tuttle could not get enough running, sliding, and splashing despite the weather being a little overcast. Several students thought it was too cold to play, but Tuttle did not want the water day to end! :)

Although the girls were happy in the stroller, I took Maggie out for a minute to stretch her legs while I held Ellie. 

Before I knew it, she had made her escape and found the baby pool.

Maggie was not timid about getting in on the fun with the big kids. She was crawling and cruising through the muddy grass and kept attempting to go for a swim. My mom is convinced she will be a tom boy like she was! At least she will always have a bow to match!!

The day ended with bundled up babies and popsicles. I cannot believe the year is coming to an end! Tuttle has learned so much from his sweet teachers and friends, but I am looking forward to spending every day with him this summer.

This past weekend Jay and I enjoyed a beach getaway for Zanna and Daniel's wedding in Florida. Post to come soon!

Spring in Atlanta

We are loving picnics at the park

Barefoot exploring

and soaking up the sun!

Three Year and Nine Month Check-Ups

Tuttle and Maggie visited the pediatrician Friday for their checkups. Since Tuttle has literally not gotten sick in a year, it was his first time seeing the doctor in a while. 

Maggie had to dress up for the doctor and nurses. She wore a smocked dress that once belonged to her mommy! :)

It was a successful visit for both babies. Here are the stats for each:

Maggie

Height: 27 inches (18%)

Weight: 15 pounds, 12 ounces (11%)

Tuttle

Height: 40 inches (94%)

Weight: 34 pounds, 13 ounces (78%)

They both had their skin pricked for hemoglobin tests, and Tuttle had to give his first urine sample. He thought it was absolutely HILARIOUS to pee in a cup. 

Maggie is still battling an ear infection, so we are trying another new medication. The doctor gave Tuttle a gold star for the typical three year old concerns (picky eating, potty training, and behavior issues). We have such a good boy.

We ended the day Friday by creating Mother's Day gifts for the grandmothers. I painted Tuttle's hands to make flowers and Maggie's feet to form a butterfly. (Ellie made one for her mommy, too!)

We were able to spend time with Gram and Grandmommy today. The babies and I took Gram her gift and played at her house this morning, and the Thorne family celebrated Mother's Day with dinner at Longhorn. (Side Note: Maggie is OFFICIALLY at the age where restaurant eating is a struggle!)

I am so very lucky to be the mommy to my sweet babies. :)

This and That

This morning Maggie and I attended the Muffins with Mommy event at Tuttle's preschool. I always love a chance to be at the school and watch Tuttle with his sweet friends. Tuttle entered the room before me and handed me a card and a little bouquet of flowers when I came in. 

All three of us enjoyed some yummy treats. It was the perfect way to start my morning. I love my big boy, and it melts my heart when he responds, "I loves you, too, Mommy."

This week is kind of a blur, but the babies have done some memorable things.

Maggie has started to walk across the room with a walker. While her walking has no specific direction, she is impressive with her balance, her ability to bend down to explore something and get back up, and her energy to go again and again. She loves when we cheer for her!

Tuttle has rediscovered his love for his trains. I pulled them out and showed him how he could make a track that zigs and zags between rooms. He is now 100% independent and wants to create a long track everyday that starts in the kitchen moves through the dining room and ends up in the front living room.

We found a new park that will be a regular activity for us: Little Nancy Creek Park. We met one of Tuttle's school buddies for an impromptu playdate this afternoon and had a blast. The playground is very unique complete with the tallest slide I have ever seen. Tuttle was not intimiated one bit! There is also a little creek with stepping stones across that Tuttle and Niko crossed and threw rocks in the water. I cannot wait to go back!

Happy Mother's Day Weekend!

Rainy Weekend of Fun

This past weekend was full of rain, rain, and more rain. I honestly do not understand how there was any more water available to pour down. Luckily we had several fun activities to entertain us during the dreary weather.

Saturday morning we had our family pictures with Rachel McGrew. She was in town from St. Louis, and I am thrilled that we were able to schedule her for some photos. I was very disappointed that the rain prevented us from getting pictures at a new park I found, but this just gives us an excuse to request another family session again in the near future. I will share as soon as I see them! She is ALWAYS incredible, so I know these new pictures will not disappoint. :)

The kids and I celebrated Alice and William's birthday Saturday afternoon at a nearby kids' gym. This is the last birthday we had on the calendar after practically three months of birthday fun for all our neighborhood and school buddies. Maggie and Tuttle had a blast with the trampolines, ball pit, ladders, and the mini roller coaster. 

Tuttle even flew through the air on the zip line!

Sunday we attended Preschool Sunday at Oglethorpe Presbyterian Church with the other kids from Tuttle's class. His class sang "This Little Light of Mine," and in regular Tuttle fashion, he belted out the lyrics (that he remembered!) and stole the show. He did demand (loudly) that one of his classmates go back to her spot when she stepped in front of him during the performance, but he simply did not want to disappoint his audience. :)

Grandmommy, Grandaddy, and Aunt Peach came to watch Tuttle sing.

Sunday afternoon we headed over to Aunt Peach's condo to celebrate Grandaddy's birthday. She cooked a yummy dinner and a DELICIOUS cake. Tuttle was very proud to be with his Grandaddy for his special day. 

Doesn't this cake look straight out of Southern Living? YUM!

I think the weather and our busy schedule allowed us all to sleep well.

Rain, Rain, GO AWAY! :)

Highs and Lows

So far this week we have stuck to a pretty normal routine. We have enjoyed playing outside at different parks most days.

Unfortunately Maggie woke up on Monday afternoon from her nap with pink eye that grew progressively worse the rest of the evening. It was too late to take her in that day to the pediatrician, so I scheduled an appointment for early Tuesday morning after dropping Tuttle off at school. I was prepared for a rough night, but I was pleasantly surprised that it did not seem to bother her. She only woke up once to eat which is typical Maggie. As pitiful as pink eye looks, I am glad it did not take away Maggie's happy and easy personality. After three doses of her medicine, now she only has minimal swelling and no yucky gunk.

We are very excited to start a new chapter in our lives as Tuttle begins playing on sports teams. This morning I signed him up for t-ball and swim lessons at the local YMCA. He starts swim lessons toward the end May, and his t-ball team will play starting in June. As a three year old, the t-ball experience will be a clinic setting, and the kids will not actually play games. They will learn how to hit and catch the ball and how to be a good teammate. From the looks of Tuttle yesterday afternoon, I would say he is ready to play ball!