Yes, I am aware that it is now July 17 and this is almost not worth blogging about, but this is my only journal (which means you all know how crappy I am at journaling our lives) so Imma blog about it anyway.
It was the 4th of July! And we celebrated! Just like last year, we kicked off the day with the Independence Day Parade. It was hot, which is why Charly looks like she is hating life. She was. BUT! She did still have fun a few times. She got a few pieces of candy and chewed right through the wrapper of a now and later.
We had a great Easter weekend in Richmond! This year Charly got a little more into it than last. I remember last year trying to keep her from tipping over so we could get this picture:
This year she was running around with her aunties and Uncle Hank. Holidays are so much more fun with kids! With one egg hunt under her belt she was ready for the real deal. Also, she was the only one hunting for eggs so she didn't have any snot-nose little kids trying to steal her stash. Here are a few pictures our little girl in action!
This year we are part of a CSA at a nearby farm, which means each week this summer we'll get produce straight from the farm, and also that we get to attend all the festivals they have throughout the year. I am pretty excited that once a week Charly and I will get out and get some fresh air, visit the animals, and even pick some of our own food. Saturday was the first festival of the year- the annual Egg Hunt and Peep Harvest. We took Charly and had a great time!
We got there early to visit the animals, since Charly is pretty much obsessed with animals right now. "Aaaaaamal. Aaamal."
The horse was first. I can't seem to get her to say horse... every time I give a coaxing "say horse!" she responds with "Neeeeiiigh!". Adorable, yes. I think so.
Ducks were next. "Wakwakwak."
Then the chickens. One of them mistook her finger for a worm. Mean ol' chicken.
We can't talk about Valentines in this house without referencing this video:
(skip to 2:16 if you don't want to watch the whole thing)
Pretty great, right? You're welcome.
I made a very unofficial goal this year to try to make holidays more memorable. All the smaller holidays can feel pretty ho-hum when your main interaction in the day is with a child who can't tell August 3rd from Christmas day, so I figured it was my job to make them more fun. Besides, I want to have fun traditions when Charly is old enough to get excited about the holidays. This year just gives me some practice time before the real deal when my child has expectations for holidays.
I planned on making cute decorations but didn't get around to it. Good thing this is a practice year, right?
I did, however, get up early when Matt got up and made Valentines breakfast.
Mini German pancakes, made in a muffin tin, and dyed pink, of course!
I found the recipe via pinterest, but you can go directly to the recipe through this link to Real Mom Kitchen.
It is bitter sweet to bid adieu to 2011. What a year it has been. For us, it has been a year of changes. Growing. Stretching. Laughing. Crying. Learning. Charly was born just two weeks into the new year, so as I reflect on the past year I inevitably reflect on her growth, how she has changed, and how she has changed us. This year has taken me to a place of vulnerability that I never imagined possible. Becoming a mother was a humbling experience. It made me evaluate myself and gather my strength. I had to rise to the challenge- there was no other choice- and it made me stronger and more confident.
This is the only picture with both Charly and I from the hospital. Sad!
At times it felt like we were just hanging on- and sometimes it still does. Change happens faster than I can process it, and I have to adapt and hang on for the ride. Before I can master being a mom to a baby, my baby is becoming a toddler. It is a beautiful thing, though. Being stagnant isn't healthy. We need to learn and grow and change to become better.
The first part of December was so crazy for us it was nice to have a few days to relax. I almost forgot what a vacation felt like. For me it was the perfect Christmas. The weather was in the low 60s, we had plenty of Mexican food and Cinnamon rolls, and we spent a lot of time with family. Charly also enjoyed her Christmas by ripping open presents, playing with all her new toys, chasing my parents dog Hank around, climbing up stairs, playing at the children's museum, and just being her happy little self. Here is a few of pictures of Charly on Christmas Day:
I just made up that name. For my whole life it has just been "mom's fudge". Such a forgettable name. But Five Three? Better right? Maybe when you understand what the five and three stand for. Five minutes. Three ingredients. I'm serious. And it's good. You might be able to find comparable fudge out there, but chances are it requires fancy equipment, lots of time, and a super attentive cook. Not Five Three fudge. This is the perfect last minute Christmas treat. At our house, it isn't Christmas without the fudge.
Christmas is six (SIX!) days away and I have much to blog about. Like, say, gifts I've made (although some can't be shared till after the holidays, lest we spoil some gift-giving surprises), stockings I finished long ago, baby sleep updates, haircuts (a few), and some recipes. I got a great start on my Christmas gift making this year, and it is a good thing, because Matt and I were asked to plan our church Christmas party (with the help of a great committee) so Christmas making went to the back burner while party planning was in full swing. The party was on Saturday so now I'm full steam ahead for Christmas.
Our decorations are few this year, partially due to living in a smaller place, but I like to think we've done well with what we've got. We opted for a table top tree to keep presents and ornaments from our ever-curious almost-one-year-old's hands. I used mostly the same decorations we have used in years past, with a few tweaks. My "theme" (because yes, I think about stuff like that) is retro/vintage inspired.
Before I fall deep into a food coma I thought I would do a quick post. We are in Richmond with my family and had quite the spread. So I don't want to have this post be too wordy, but I do want to post a lot of pictures. Sorry the pictures aren't the best. I tried to take some good pictures, but hunger got the best of me.
Oy, it has been a busy time lately. Good busy. The kind of busy that makes you feel accomplished. Fun busy. I meant to post a picture last Friday, but my sister Erin and her friend Tillie were visiting and the time escaped me! If I had done a 'this moment' post, it would have been this:
The other day as I guilted myself about not writing any blog posts for most of the month of October, I stopped to ponder what I have been up to. You know what I realized? I have been busy drinking up all that is autumn. This is my favorite season, especially in Virginia. My time has been filled with apples and pumpkins, boots and scarves, and preparing for the seasons and holidays ahead. Here are a few of the things I've been doing to fully partake in the changing seasons:
Brinn made this fabulous video of our Independence Day Festivities with their family. Could there be two cuter kids? I submit that there cannot. Thanks for sharing, Brinn!
I hope you all had a fun Memorial Day weekend- we did! We didn't travel anywhere, but we had fun at home- which is kind of like traveling, since we haven't lived here that long. We still get excited to find out what there is to do in our little town.
