Maggie's Birthday Celebration

This past weekend we celebrated Maggie's 2nd birthday with a little trip to Babyland General in Cleveland, Georgia.

 

 

 

 

Gram came up for the big event, too. Maggie wanted Gram to hold her the entire time.

 

 

I had visited Babyland General as a child, so it was fun for Maggie and Tuttle to experience the Cabbage Patch Doll Hospital, too. The building is much bigger now, but I definitely remembered certain parts of the house that were recreated in the new location.

 

 

Maggie loved checking out all the different baby dolls, pushing the strollers around the hospital, and having a tea party with the babies. On our way out, she adopted a new baby to take home

along with a stroller from Gram.

 

 

We were so close to Dahlonega, Georgia that I planned lunch at the Smith House. I grew up going to Camp Glisson in Dahlonega, and we always ate lunch at the Smith House before Gram dropped me off for the week. It is a family style southern cooking restaurant, and it was as good as I remembered. Fried chicken, creamed corn, mashed potatoes, fried okra, collards, macaroni and cheese, cornbread, and strawberry shortcake was on the menu, plus more! Jay was in Heaven! As a bonus, Grumps rode his motorcycle to meet us for lunch. When we pulled up, Maggie took off running toward Gram and Grumps. She completely bypassed Gram for a huge bear hug from Grumps. So sweet!

 

Grandmommy, Grandaddy, Aunt Peach, and Drew met us at the house after we drove home for cake and more presents. Maggie is such a loved little girl.

 

 

We had the best day celebrating our sweet and spunky two year old. We love you so much, Maggie!



Maggie Turns Two!

Yesterday Maggie turned TWO YEARS OLD. We had a low key day celebrating because her main birthday event is tomorrow with the grandparents.

 

 

Daddy went into work a little later, so we could all have breakfast and open presents with Maggie. I picked up her favorite- pink frosted donuts from Dunkin' Donuts. Unfortunately she was too excited about her presents to eat anything! :)

 

 

She received a pink scooter, a Dorothy doll, a set of tiaras, a vet kit complete with dog travel carrier, and a Tinkerbell movie. Her balloons were also a big hit!

 

 

After getting dressed we met up with the Foleys for a picnic at the park followed by ice cream at the Frosty Caboose. Maggie ate her ice cream AND mine. :)

 

 

We ended the day with the kids favorite meal of spaghetti. It was such a sweet day celebrating our Maggie Moo.

 

At two years old Margaret Ruth Thorne

 

-- is wearing 12m and 18m dresses and some 24m pants and shorts sets. I will get actual height and weight measurements at her checkup in August

 

-- sleeps from 8pm-8am and takes one 1.5-2 hour nap MOST days

 

-- is starting to show major signs of potty training. She will successfully go almost every time she sits on the potty and usually lets us know if she needs to go poop.

 

-- loves anything pink and has started wanting to dress up in anything pink, including princess costumes and dress-up high heels

 

-- enjoys watching Strawberry Shortcake the most

 

-- is still obsessed with Hello Kitty (or as she pronounces it: Da Da Jilly)

 

-- has improved in her gymnastics class and can independently do a summer sault, donkey kicks and pull her feet up to touch the bar while hanging. If you ask her who her best friend is, her response is ALWAYS Coach Todd.

 

-- spends a lot of time trying on everyone's shoes in the house. She can walk better in my high heels than I can.

 

-- will antagonize her brother (Baa-Boo) as if it is her sole mission sometimes. She tries to sneak into his room whenever he turns his back. She plays the role of little sister perfectly. :)

 

-- wants to be referred to as a baby. She does not like to be called a big girl most of the time

 

-- is currently obsessed with all the songs from Frozen

 

-- confidently walks into her church nursery and the YMCA nursery with no tears. She is 100% ready for preschool to start.

 

-- likes to dance, push her doll stroller around the house, and put together Magna-Tiles with Tuttle

 

-- LOVES to swing and begs to swing at the park and on our back porch daily

 

-- carries around three blankets (or Shookies) and must have all three to go to sleep

 

-- is the sweetest, funniest, and cutest two year old I know

 

We cannot wait to celebrate more this weekend! Maggie is definitely looking forward to her special day.



Playable Art Park

 Last week I heard about a new park that opened in Sandy Springs called the Playable Art Park. The play structures are actually pieces of art that the children can climb on, slide down, or swing with. The weather yesterday prevented us from trying it out, but I was determined to take the kids today even though the clouds were dark and gloomy.

 

 

After getting a little lost (typical me), we arrived at the park, and I was so glad we had made the drive. It was AMAZING. The kids ran from one sculpture to another to explore.

 

 

 

The most favorite among all three kids (Gigi is in camp this week, but I am keeping her cousin instead) was the set of swings. Aside from the structure being beautiful, it was so much fun to push the kids high into the air. The structure is specifically created to not obstruct the view straight up into the clouds. Maggie did not want to leave. :)

 

 

We packed a picnic to enjoy about halfway through our park trip, and we had just finished visiting each part when we started to feel some sprinkles. It was perfect timing to go home for rest time. We will definitely return to the Playable Art Park. It was a hit!

Lazy Summer Week

Gigi was in camp this week, so I was home with just Tuttle and Maggie. We took advantage of the week of vacation with a lot of lazy slow days. It was just what we needed since we always stay so busy! :) Tuttle still had piano lessons, and Maggie loved a private gymnastics session with Coach Todd, but we loved some extra cuddles and playing at home, too.

 

Our Week in iPhone Pictures

 

 

Tonight Tuttle is attending his first sleepover with Uncle CJ. It will be the first time he spends the night away from home with someone other than a family member by himself. CJ is one of Jay's oldest friends, and he contacted us to spend some extra time with Tuttle. He has a night full of fun activities planned. I cannot wait to hear all about it tomorrow! :)

Sweet Family Time

We enjoyed another weekend with some down time as a family. Everyone has really loved having some time to just relax with no obligations. Saturday Jay and Tuttle supervised the conclusion of the tree removal in our yard. We added an additional gate on our fence, so the workers came to set the poles in the ground. I think Tuttle had fun being a part of the action with his daddy while the girls were inside.

 

Sunday we finally returned to church after a long break. The service focused on favorite hymns and the sermon was just what we needed to hear. :)

 

We decided to skip naps and head to the YMCA pool after a quick lunch at home. Jay had never been to the Y pool before, so we were eager to show him one of our favorite spots.

 

 

I do not know who had more fun: Jay or the babies. Jay went down the water slide about six times. Maggie taught herself to walk around the pool on her tummy with her arms dragging her. She spent  most of the time perfecting her new trick.

 

The day exhausted us, and Tuttle and Maggie went to bed at 7:30 We were not far behind!



New Skills

This summer I am trying to enrich the kids with new skills.

 

 

Tuttle is still practicing writing all his letters, and we are beginning to focus on the specific letter sounds. I know he is going to love reading once he learns. I was such a book worm growing up (I used to invite my friends over to read at my house!), and I know we will share this passion.

 

I introduced addition to him this week, and he caught on right away. We used super hero action figures as our counting tools. :)

 

 

Tuttle has also stayed devoted to practicing piano. I am so excited that he is learning because I get to learn, as well. His teacher is very patient with him, especially toward the end of the 30 minute lesson when Tuttle's attention seems to drift.

 

 

Maggie is continuing to practice her potty training skills. She still wears a diaper, but she will consistently sit on the potty and go whenever I convince her to actually sit. A small bribe of watching "Let It Go" on YouTube usually does the trick. She will do anything to watch Elsa belt it out!

 

 

I am starting to focus more on color recognition with Maggie, too. She LOVES pink and wants to point out anything that she can find that shows any shade of pink. She also recognizes purple since it is Gigi's favorite color. She can group objects into color piles, but we are still working on naming the right colors.

 

 

I love teaching my babies. I think they are the smartest cookies around town. :)

 



Corbitt Family Cookout

Last night we had the best time getting together with my side of the family for a cookout. My cousin, Emily, was in town from Philadelphia with her husband, daughter, and new son, Silas. We were thrilled to meet the newest Corbitt family member!

 

 

 

My aunt and uncle hosted the get together at their home, and we were LOVING the cooler July weather.

 

 

The kids ran around the yard, splashed in the baby pool, and ate ice cream. They were in Heaven, and it was so sweet to see how quickly Tuttle, Maggie, and Gwen bonded despite only seeing each other a few times a year. Tuttle announced to Gwen that she was invited to his "Five Birthday." He is already actively planning his party for next April. :)

 

For the most part, you could find Maggie in her favorite place: Gram's arms. :)

 



 

 

We ended the evening with a piano concert by Tuttle. He was so proud to show his new talent to the family. I think he played "Mary Had a Little Lamb" five times.

 

We all went home tired and full. We cannot wait for the next family event!

Our Perfect July 4th

The 4th of July is honestly my favorite holiday. I love how laid back the day is and dressing everyone up in patriotic colors. I look forward to celebrating every year.

 

We started the day off  bright and early to cheer on Daddy in the Peachtree Road Race. It has become a tradition to watch the runners with the Burke family. We parked at their home and walked with the babies to Peachtree Road.

 

 

Sometimes it is very HOT during the race, but the weather was perfect this year, and I know the runners appreciated that!

 

 

Daddy stopped this year for a quick picture. We stood at the mile four marker, so it was easy to spot our crew cheering.

 

 

Maggie loved watching the action and pointing out all the princesses running (also known as any woman running in a tutu!)

 

 

Tuttle insisted on waving a flag for the runners, and luckily another spectator gave him a flag. Note to self: Remember to bring flags next year!

 

 

This picture has been making this post every year. I cannot believe how quickly he is growing up!

 

2013

 

 

2012

 

 

We realized when we arrived home that this was Jay's 10th consecutive year running in the Peachtree Road Race! We laid out his shirts for a celebratory picture. We are so proud of you, Daddy!

 

 

The rest of the day was so relaxing and perfect. We grabbed some lunch at a new restaurant, Smash, before heading home for naps. Tuttle and Maggie were practically falling asleep at the table since they had been up since 6:15 for the race. I think we all needed some quiet time. I slept for almost 2.5 hours, too.

 

 

After naps we enjoyed listening to music, watching the babies play, and having some time to clean the house. Yes, I actually LOVE cleaning. I am turning into my mother. :)

 

 

Instead of loading up the car to watch fireworks at Lenox, Jay put on a private fireworks show at our house. We had picked up fireworks on our way through South Carolina last weekend for the wedding. Tuttle could not get enough of the action, but Maggie buried herself in my lap with her hands covering her ears the whole time. I will admit that I loved the extra snuggles. :)

 

Jay and I both agreed that spending the day with our little family at home made it the perfect 4th of July.

 

 

Happy Independence Day!!