Nightmare on Ion Avenue

This is what happens when you leave Mark alone for the weekend: he starts ordering random stuff off of eBay.

As evidenced by the thousands of (someone else's) legos that awaited our return. Finn was ecstatic. Me? Less so. 

Wedding Road Trip

On the road again! It has been awhile since our last trip together, so Finn and I were looking forward to hitting the road for some adventures and seeing some friends and family. We left Lily at home to look after Mark and make sure he went to work and brought home the bacon (figuratively and literally). First stop: HOT-lanta to visit our friends the Benich bunch. We met them at the pool where the kiddos swam themselves out and Kriya and I got to visit until I had to dive in after Finn who lost steam while swimming across the pool. Not sure what the lifeguard who was sitting directly in front of him was thinking as he was yelling "help!"??  So I had to pull a Clark Kent and sprint from the other side of the pool and dive in to help him. Incidents like these just serve to reinforce the fact that I should never take my eyes off of him . . . until he reaches Ryan Lochte swimming capabilities. Anyway, we headed back to the Benich casa where the boys decided to camp out on the floor under their homemade "fort." The next day we headed to the Lego Discovery Center at Phipps Plaza followed by a special lunch at the counter of Johnny Rockets. Finn has hit a BIG lego phase--loves them- so this was right up his alley. The fact that he had an equally interested buddy just made it that much better. They played together for hours. We had to drag them out of there. But alas, it was time to hit the road again. Thanks Benich bunch!

Mini nerds waiting for the 4-D movie to start

Lego Power!

Next stop: Birmingham! I haven't been back to Birmingham in a really long time so it was a great treat to get to visit again. Of course, Finn didn't care a thing about hearing about mom's old stomping ground and former "glory" college days.  We went to visit aunt Lindsey's office and met some of her co-workers and then went to see her big girl apartment. It is a little surreal to see my baby sister all grown up and living responsibly on her own, with a big girl job in a big girl apartment. For no other reason than the fact that somehow even though I get older, it seems everyone else should not. So sometimes I still picture her in high school. Sorry Lindsey! So it was a fun treat to be able to crash Lindsey's apartment! Even though we were in town less than 24 hours, I called some of my dear college peeps to see if anyone could meet up. Turns out it was my lucky day! Lauren and her adorable daughter Reese and Jennifer and Finn and I met up for mexican and a fun night of catching up. Mexican restaurants=loud restaurants=happy moms and kids! 

Even though I don't get to talk to these girls regularly, whenever I do see them, it's like no time has passed at all.  A great night--thanks for making the effort ladies. Hope to see you all sooner rather than later.

Lauren, Reese, Finn (the little stud), Me and Jennifer

Finn and Reese emptying their mom's change purses into the fountain

Final stop: Montgomery, Alabama. We made it to the hotel and decided to take a load off by the pool. It was the perfect way to swim off all of the excess energy that had built up over 3 long days in the car. Everyone met up at the hotel, changed and headed to the church. On the way down, I remembered my (other) friend Jennifer had recently moved to Montgomery. So I called her up and told her we were in town and turns out she lives only two miles from the church. So, she and her beautiful girls were able to meet us at the church for a quick visit. It was too short but so great to see her again. Now, Montgomery is not that big of a city, but the church where Bo and Liz got married was like a city within a city. It had a coffee shop, aquarium and an INDOOR PLAYGROUND. Perfect for someone who has an antsy 4 year old with an hour to kill before the wedding (we had to be there early for pictures). So, the kiddos played and Jen and I were able to catch up. My sweet little (now big) cousin played the pied piper and entertained the kids. Finn showed up to the church in a tie, shirt tucked in and dress shoes on. Before the wedding started you will see below, he was down to an untucked shirt and pants (barely). We pulled it together to get into the church without too much embarrassment. The ceremony was lovely Bo and Liz looked so excited to begin the rest of their life together. Congratulations to the happy couple. Now, as Finn says, it's party time! 

We headed back to the hotel for the reception. My whole family was there so it was great to visit with aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, and of course, my parents and sister. Finn didn't want to waste time with food, he was ready for the dance floor. He danced his little heart out--and everyone got a turn to be his partner. He was first in line for the cake (they had to move him out of the way for a picture), but other than that he was on the dance floor. I have to say that the band was amazing. Really and truly, heads above any wedding band I have ever heard. I would pay money to go see them, they were that good. So the wedding was a huge success and we were so happy to be able to share and witness Bo and Liz's special day. A quick digression: I was somewhat surprised and very proud of myself that I had gotten a wedding gift ready to give BEFORE the wedding, made sure it was wrapped, securely placed in the car so not to get smashed by our luggage and the 15 million other bags in my car, and hauled it more than 500 miles. I was equally surprised when Mark unpacked said wrapped wedding gift when we RETURNED from the wedding. 

Back to the wedding . . .

3 little monkeys and their "handler"

Harper and Oliver Patrick, Finn and Katie Grace

My wedding date (doesn't he kind of look like a preschool version of a sweaty fraternity boy?)

The Happy Couple . . . Bo and Liz

A dancing blur (he really was moving that fast, for the entire reception)

Soul train, with aunt Ginger

The "Young" cousins

Papa and Grandmother--Don't they look amazing!

Causing trouble

Hmmm . . . could they be next??? No pressure or anything.

(only kidding Justin and Lindsey)

A great time was had by all. We crashed at the end of the night, luckily our beds were just a short elevator ride away. The next morning we had a LONG drive home back to South Carolina. Which was made ever so much longer by the 10 bathroom stops we had to make along the way. Because 4 days of eating fast food, followed by wedding cake, both pieces, and an endless supply of sprite for dinner will do a number on a little boy's stomach. I really did feel badly for him because he was really uncomfortable but the poor kid could have given me a little warning along the way. We would be driving and then all of a sudden he would scream from the backseat "mom, I have to poop NOW!" And of course, we would have just passed the nearest rest stop and would be in the middle of nowhere. The nearest gas station would also be the most disgusting, but here we would come, running as fast a we could, undressing along the way. Here is a little TMI for you . . . Finn has to undress from the waste down anytime he poops. Pants, undies, socks, shoes, it all comes off every time. Which is fine at home, but not in the middle of a flooded men's restroom in who knows what exit off of I-20. Finn didn't just do this once. But EVERY TIME he had to go. It would be a 0-60, 4 alarm sprint to the closet potty. I lost track of how many stops we made, but he changed clothes at least twice if that gives you any idea. We finally made it home and made a beeline for a HOT shower. My take-away from that ride was that I will always carry a potty in the trunk for long road trips. Lesson learned. It's always fun to go away, but equally fun to come back home.

Things that make you go hmmm . . .

How dare I leave the room to call and make a dentist appointment.         He really showed me.

USS Yorktown

I have driven past Patriot's Point and the USS Yorktown hundreds of times and never thought twice about stopping for a visit. But with the entire month of August stretched out before us (school starts in September!), you start looking for something, anything to do with the bouncing ball of energy running roughshod through the house. So, on a beautiful Monday morning, Finn and I became "tourists in our own town" and spent nearly three hours taking in the Yorktown (aircraft carrier), the USS Laffey (a destroyer) and a submarine. I must say that I was pleasantly surprised. I still can't get over the fact that nearly 3500 people lived and worked on this ship. Ugh, can you say claustrophobia? 

But the most important things was that Finn had a blast . . . what's not to like about airplanes, missiles, boats, submarines, guns, and helicopters?  If you are looking for things to do in Charleston, I highly recommend it, especially if you have a little boy and you like to climb hundreds of stairs.

Feeling patriotic and ready to climb aboard

It is huge, with 7-10 different levels (maybe?) I lost count

Inside the cockpit (a little bummed he couldn't take one for a spin)

About 4 floors down in the engine room, with NO windows had me looking for some fresh air

Views of the Ravenel bridge from the flight deck

Ready, Aim, Fire

Bunk beds in the submarine (I would have preferred the floor)

Through the hatch. You can't imagine how tiny and narrow that thing was

Top of the sub (she's seen better days, for sure!)

July: Gone like the wind

June flew by in a sweaty, painted construction blur. We worked our fannies off to get our basement "guest suite" finished to be able to use this summer. We pretty much accomplished our goals . . . and then promptly put down our paint brushes and took the month off! I can't wait to show you all of our hard work--and we can't wait to have our friends and family come visit. So consider yourself invited if you haven't been already. I will post soon all of our home renovation pictures, so stay tuned. July was a great month. My parents came and spent the week with us. Of course with my dad here, we did do a little work, but we also did a lot of playing too. It is always so great to have them come and stay with us. Finn especially loves the extra playmates and attention. He even camped out with them in their suite downstairs. No complaints here. 

After my parents, came a visit from the Benich bunch, Kriya, Wade and Bree. We had a blast. I didn't take a single picture but she did so I will wait until she posts them and then steal them. We love those guys and it is always so fun to see them. It is a rare treat to have them stay with us and have longer than 24 hours to play together. Wade and Finn play so well together . . . a 180 from their time together last summer. And Bree and I love to have facial contortion competitions, even though she usually wins. We had plenty of beach time, went to the pool, the bowling alley and arcade and Kriya and I even snuck away for a dinner out! Can't wait until they come again.

We rounded out the month with visits from our New Jersey friends, Jayne and Bruce and then Finn's favorites and cousins, Luke, and Mary Daniel. Finn went to Lego camp, swim lessons and adventure camp at his school. We have had the perfect blend of activities, friends and relaxation. 

Busted!

Pool play date, and Lily is invited

Time for a haircut: Someone asked Finn if he needed a haircut and he said that he had already had one this year. 

Double trouble, coming home from Pirate Lego camp

Mom's night out! 

Jayne and Mark

What happens when you take five minutes to take a shower ALONE

Cooling off in the fountains

Land of the Free

Happy July 4th (in August) everyone. What a great country we live in . . . even though at times I think it's broken, it is still the way to go. Thank goodness for all of the men and women who serve our country and protect our freedoms: the freedom to practice whatever religion we choose, the freedom to speak our minds without fear of punishment or retribution (lookin' at you Mr. Cathy!), the freedom to petition our government (ok, it's been awhile since I've studied history so I'm running out of amendments), but the point is, we are a free country. And there are men and women who die to protect this freedom. God bless America, please.

We celebrated our independence by riding in the Sullivan's Island parade. We decorated Finn's bike with as much patriotic "flair" as we could find. He really wanted to wear his Captain America mask, but it wouldn't fit under his helmet, a major bummer. So he carried it (left hand). We didn't make it to the finish line, as I suspected we would not, so Mark picked us up on the side and drove us to the finish line. Part of the problem was that people kept throwing candy from their golf cart and Finn kept pulling over to the side, getting off of his bike, getting the candy and eating it. Which added HOURS to our travel time, or so it seemed. Anyway, there were water gun fights, jump castles, cupcakes, watermelon and mimosas at the finish line. A great way to spend the morning. Finn enjoyed riding his bike in the parade, but decided that next year he would rather drive a golf cart.

Captain America

Golf carts lining up

Cyclists waiting for their turn

 After the parade, we hit the beach for some fun in the sun. My parents were in town for the week so it was great to spend the week with them. We had a delicious lowcountry boil for dinner and then watched the fireworks in our front row seat from on top of our deck. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures, because I was too busy trying to keep Lily from jumping off of the roof. Girlfriend is NOT a fan of fireworks or any loud banging noises for that matter. It was the perfect way to end a great day.

Our neighbor and friend has a cart and pony that she often takes to birthday parties around the island. She called me up and said she was down the street and would love to bring Duchess down to meet Finn. We were definitely down for that!