Beating the Heat

It has been HOT in Raleigh this week. Luckily, we are headed to the beach this afternoon in search of cool ocean breezes, tacos, and lots of relaxation.

Here's how we spent one afternoon this past week cooling off...

"What's Your Name?"

I'm pretty sure Collins is more outgoing than her parents. Despite being the product of two introverts, she is somehow extroverted (which is awesome!). I love that she is social and not afraid to talk to new people.

Her newest thing is to make a formal introduction. If we're walking around the neighborhood, the playground or the library, she now walks up to someone new and asks them, "What's your name?" Then she usually follows up that question with, "What's your Mommy's name?" I love that when she is asked the question back, she responds with "Collins Elizabeth". It's adorable.

I think it's so neat that she can now communicate with her peers, and they are starting to ask each other to play. The other day at the park, a cute little boy came up to Collins and asked in this tiny voice, "Would you like to go feed the fish with me?". She said yes, and ran off with him to the bridge. I was pretty sure she just got asked out for the first time!

Hopefully Collins will keep asking people their names and keep making new friends.

Big Girl Ways

Lately, we've been hearing lots of "I'm a big girl- I can do it myself!". But Collins doesn't need to remind us, it's pretty evident that all of a sudden our baby has turned into a little girl.

We have graduated from the toddler swings. Swinging on the "big girl swings" is a current obsession, and she demands to go "really high".

Apparently she's ready for high heels...

And she decided to take the story time stamp up a notch this past week...it's only a matter of time before she's asking for a tatoo.

I'm always proud when she accomplishes something new, but it does make me a little sentimental to realize she is growing up so fast!

"Cover Up My Toenails!"

"Cover up my toenails!"

"I can't see Aarf and EeEe's face!"

"Mommy, is the moon out?"

"Does Daddy have on his pajamas?"

"Mommy, are you going night night?"

"I want to sleep in the other direction."

"COVER UP MY TOENAILS!"

Collins has always been so easy to put to sleep. She has always laid right down and gone to sleep without making a peep. Count us lucky until now....all of a sudden, this baby can't fall asleep without getting all of these important questions answered. I don't know if it's anxiety, or not being as sleepy, or the fact that she really likes talking and can't stop talking even to go to sleep. Regardless, it is a problem that needs to be fixed! If anyone has any advice on this one, please let me know!

Celebrating Asher

A few weeks ago, we lost an important member of our family. Asher Huxley, Alli's dog, passed away. Asher was Alli's best friend and companion for almost 10 years so it has been a big loss. Asher had stood on three legs for over seven years, and his body simply could not take anymore. It was time to say goodbye, but that certainly didn't make it any easier.

Asher was a great dog for Alli- loving, sweet and very protective of her. He was always a handsome dog with unique coloring, soft floppy ears, and a sweet face. He loved watching Bravo, playing with his cousins Zoe and Lilly in Hickory, and taking out a good bone. He did not like the vacuum cleaner, expensive organic dog food, or thunderstorms.

I will always remember how hard Alli fought to save Asher when he was a little puppy (he was found in a trashcan with a hurt leg) and loved him fiercely until the end. She was an amazing dog mom and gave him a very happy life; in return he brought her lots of joy. Asher is already missed, but we are all grateful we knew and loved this special dog!

Summer Camp

Collins just finished her second and final week of summer camp at Ridge Road Baptist. Despite tears every morning at drop-off (except for today!), she came home each day happy and tired from a morning full of fun activities. Every day she wore her bathing suit to camp with the promise to play in the water and eat a popsicle, and each day had a different theme. There was a day to jump in a bounce house, watermelon day, field day, science day, etc. She had lots of fun, and I managed to get a couple of closets cleaned out in my free time!

This particular day she had fun with blue sidewalk chalk...

Baseball Fun

With Carolina and State both in the college baseball playoffs, there has been lots of baseball talk around our house these last couple of weeks. Brian took it to a whole new level yesterday when he let Collins loose on a rather muddy baseball field.

Pool Visit

Yesterday we made the first of what I feel will be many trips to the pool this summer. We went late in the afternoon and lucked out to be the only ones there. Collins and Olivia had lots of fun in the water and then feasted on watermelon!

 

 

 

 

No Separation

This happy go-lucky girl is going through a phase where she is neither happy, nor go-lucky when her Mama isn't around. It's come on all of a sudden. She loses it when I drop her off anywhere- the nursery at church, summer camp, even at Gigi's house (and you know how much she adores her Gigi and Papa!).

I expected separation anxiety to happen about a year ago, but not now. Hopefully this phase will pass fast because a little separation is good for both Collins and Mama.