Labor Day weekend

Well we decided to stay home this year for Labor Day weekend. Friday we went out to dinner then hit a festival. Unfortunately the girls only got to ride one ride then we got caught in a down pour. We were all soaked but Addy didn't seem to mind. Evelyn squacked but was a trooper. The next day Evelyn and I were off to a birthday party for her friend Alora. Off to Libby Lu's for a "rock star" makeover. She is such a tom boy. Definitely not her style but she did like her fake microphone headset she got with the makeover. That night we decided to take the girls to see Kung Fu Panda at the dollar theater. Adeline was great and watched the whole movie. Sunday we hit our second birthday party at our neighbor Emelia's (Ya-Ya) . The girls had a great time with all the neighborhood kids.

Addy with the pinataBackyardagains
Today we took the girls to the Charlotte Knights last baseball game of the season. I wish I could say they had a good time but we spent too much time watching the game and by the time we got over to the play area, they were shutting down. But she did get her cotton candy she was begging for right before we left so that made her happy. Tomorrow it's back to school!

Wet, Wet

Evelyn's second day of school proved to be an exciting one. Tropical storm Fay's remnants hit Charlotte with approx 10" of rain and tornado warnings all day. School policy has the children "hunkered down" throughout the day whenever there are weather warnings like this. I thought they would have them in the hallways but Evelyn said they put them in the bathroom. Which leads me to the next Wet. Evelyn got off the bus with different shorts on than the ones I sent her in. Hmmm?
Evelyn, did you have an accident?
Yes.
What happened?
MOMMMMMM! You put extra clothes in my bag.
Just because I put a change of clothes in your bag, doesn't mean you have to use them.
(Jokingly) If you were in the bathroom a lot, you should have went then!
MOMMMMMM! I'm not going to go when everyone is in there!

Her teacher called and left a message telling me the play by play of what happened and how bad she felt for Evelyn. Evelyn has a tendency to hold it until she can't anymore. We had a long talk and Evelyn is afraid to use the bathroom unless someone goes with her and stands by the door. I explained to her that Kindergarten is a lot different and she needs to do this on her own like she does at home. Hopefully, she can get over this fear and go at school. In the meantime, I won't let her out the door in the morning unless she goes to the bathroom here first. That sounds easy enough but I'm sure she will fight me on it.

Where Sissy Go?

I heard that a lot from Addy today.
All went well and Evelyn said that school was great and riding the bus was cool. She asked to ride it both ways. She's not much of a talker when it comes to specifics about the day. I have to keep asking questions. She's a bit like her father. She said she is excited about going tomorrow. But for those of you who know her, she isn't much for showing her excitement. The rain held off until she got off the bus so I could get a quick photo of her. She looked pretty whooped but not too tired to have a big treat before resting on the couch. Hopefully tomorrow will go as well.

Getting off the bus

After school treat

Looking a little whooped.

A Brand New Gator

I swear I was just in the hospital filled with emotions. A brand new baby barely 4lbs. That was 5 years ago. I think I was more nervous today than Evelyn. I thought I was all ready but started thinking of all these questions I didn't have answered. How would she get on the bus? How would she know to get off the bus? Will she be too scared to ask to go to the bathroom? Who is going to be worse in the morning, me or her. Will she find her way to the classroom OK? So, she slept fine, me, not so much. Much to my surprise, the send off went extremely well. No tears were shed. Not even me! Just a gut ache that I'm sure won't go away in the next twenty years. I walked her to her classroom today, met her teacher (Mrs. Jenkins) and watched her for a bit. When I asked for a kiss goodbye she leaned close then turned her head and allowed me to kiss her cheek. It's started already. But she was sensitive enough to know I needed more and looked at me smiled then gave me a kiss. Off she went. I will walk her in again tomorrow but from then on, she will be dropped off in the carpool line.

"Oh my gosh, oh my gosh!" Evelyn's reaction to me opening the shades this morning to wake her up.
"This doesn't even feel like morning. Are you sure I slept yet?"

That should tell you something! Evelyn has always been a sleeper. I don't think Evelyn ever saw the morning earlier than 8am. We will both be adjusting to this 6 and 6:30 thing. Momma likes her sleep too!

I will let everyone know how she does. I will be waiting with my camera at the end of our driveway today and upload those pictures. Yes, we made a last minute decision to have her ride the bus home everyday. Cringe!

Evelyn off to school

Half awake

Bye Daddy!

Bye Mommy!
Send off gift from Ethan
Big Kindergartner

Breakfast in bed

A whole month has past since I last wrote. I need to get back on track and promise to be better. Starting tomorrow. Solid words from a procrastinator. But my excuse is legit. Thursday I managed to continue my Klutz title and hit my head. Very hard. Doctor said I have a nice concussion with some nerve damage. If my writing doesn't make sense, trust me, it has to be better than the past three days. Actually, today I feel a lot better, not great, but better. Brian has been a great help with the girls and allowed me to rest a lot and sleep in. Which leads me to today. Brian got up with the girls and about 8:30 I managed to crawl out of bed and start making it before I decided to crawl back in. Just then Brian popped back in and said you better get back in bed, Evelyn needs one more minute. So I did. In came breakfast in bed, including a get well card. Evelyn had planned this and Daddy helped. Okay, so it was coffee left over from the day before (gag) and soggy cereal that Adeline proceeded to devour, but it still was the best breakfast a mom could ask for.

That's it for today. Thoughts are scrambled but I'm attaching a few photos of the girls since it has been a while. Thanks for all your well wishes.

Remind me to teach Brian how to make coffee.

Dinnertime snooze

Adeline eating her favorite snack, white cheddar popcorn

(left to right: Maddie, Evelyn, Jack & Ashlyn at the movies)

Daddy and the girls

Rock me Ambajejus

Tuesday, July 8 - Today we made it to Millinocket, home of Mt. Katahdin, a mountain that Brian has talked about ever since we vacationed in Maine 10 years ago. After making a quick stop at the State Park Headquarters we headed to the Scootic In for lunch for some delicious lobster rolls. Then we were off to the 5 Lakes Lodge where we will stay for two nights. What a place. We have wanted to come here for a while and finally are here. Our room is called Ambajejus (named after one of the lakes here) and is on the corner so we get an incredible cross breeze. The Lodge sits on a small piece of land surrounded by water. Pretty much heaven. After vegging for a few hours by the water we headed back out for dinner. All we do is eat! Back to town at a little diner (choices are very limited) called The Appalachian Trail. Very casual but really yummy. Really need to diet when we get back to NC.
Catch up tommorow if I can catch a wifi signal.

Where to begin

Blogging from Bangor, ME. Brian and I flew into Portland today for a much needed vacations sans the chitlins. 5:30 am flight got us here by 8:40 and we were on our way. After a bunch of outlet shopping in Freeport, we made the drive up to Bangor where we are staying for the night. Were both exhausted from an hours sleep the night before but Brian is sick on top of that. Don't know if it is a bug or his breakfast at the Philly airport. Anyways, his sickness gives me a little time to catch everyone up.
Lets see, where this whirlwind began...........
Sunday, June 22 - Drive up to NY to stay with my parents. Addy was great this year with the drive but poor Evelyn had a stomach bug and we kept having to stop for her. Brian stayed back in Charlotte. Thank you Muscato for helping me with the girls. Hope you would choose the stopping for Evelyn's problem over the the tornado and constant 12 hour screaming from Addy last year.
Monday, June 23 - get settled a Gma & Papa's Delitys house and hit the playground.
Tuesday, June 24 - Visit Gpa Green's and his new house, Evelyn gets her "real" tea party with Grandma.
Wed. June 25 - Make a quick trip up to Rochester to visit our much missed Nancy Pants.
Thurs. June 26 - drive back to parents
Friday, June 27 - Several playground trips for the girls. Addy continues to be a daredevil and acts more like a 3 year old than 18 months. Met high school friends Tacey, Melissa, Kristen, Marci & Cathy out for Alumni. A very tame year, especially compared to last year. We must be getting old.
Saturday, June 28 - continue hanging with old classmates at the Country Club, then out to the "hotel" for one making me even lamer . Can't believe it has been 19 years since graduation.
Sunday - day of rest after a short visit with my moms childhood friend.
Monday, June 30 - pack up the girls and drive back up to Rochester. No trip to Rochester is complete without a shopping trip to Wegmans. Going there always makes me miss it even more. I know, it's a grocery store but it's those comfort foods!
Tuesday, July 1 - The Zoo! The girls and I had a great time at the Seneca Park Zoo. Addy called anything that was in water a fish. She was a trip and just so happy to be running around. Evelyn seemed to care more about the playgrounds and man-made creek to splash in than the animals. After a full day at the zoo and a little knee injury, it was time to go. Addy was a sleep before we got out of the parking lot. A perfect transfer to her pack-n-play, so Evelyn and I could take a dip in Aunt Pants pool then shower and meet Jen, Lilianna & Tacey for dinner.
Wednesday, July 2 - Strong Children's Museum
Aunt Lauri and Grandma & Grandpa came up to spend the day at the museum with the girls and me. Good thing, because I don't know how I would of handled both of them. They were all over and never in the same direction. What a great place, only wish there was one in Charlotte. Had a great time in all the exhibits but definitely loved seeing the girls reaction to the Butterfly garden the best! Another long but fun filled day!
Thursday, July 3 - Daddy's here. Today we picked up Brian and the airport but not until we packed in a visit with Tami and Jen and their girls. Evelyn had a ball. Poor thing gets to see them once a year but they play like they just saw each other the day before. The girls were ecstatic to see Daddy and they both ran to him when they saw him. After that Adeline wouldn't let him out of her sight. Airport, dinner then off to Brian's parents.

Happy 4th! Another fun packed day. We spent the day at Tim & Lauri's house with all of Brian's family. All the kids play so well together and it is always sad when it is over.
July 5 - After spending time by the firepit until 2 am, we decided to crash with Tim & Lauri. Everyone slept in then enjoyed some pool time, then back to Gma & Gpa's house. Spent the evening drinking Duane's very tasty homemade wine, watching fireworks and catching fireflies with Evelyn.
Sunday, July 6 - relaxing day, then off to Pat & Kirsten's for Mackenzie's 3rd b-day party, quick visit with G-ma Koch at her new assisted living center, check out the latest updates at Shaun and Nicole's gorgeous home, then back to the in-laws to pack for our trip to Maine. Went to bed at 1:30 am and back up at 2:50am. Why am I still up at 12:30 am blogging this after an hour sleep the night before? I'm sure I've missed something but too tired to care at this point.
Which ends us here! I will get pictures up if I have a chance on this trip, otherwise when I get back to Charlotte the middle of July. Hope Brian is feeling better tomorrow for his trek up Mt. Katahdin.