Time moving so fast

So today was a fun day....we went to the Kids Fest here in Peachtree City. We saw many friends-Catherine (Caroline), Jessica (Isabella), Jennifer (Karina), Julia (Maggie), as well as some of Reese's teachers from Royal Learners. Reese rode the little train (was so excited about that!), jumped in the bouncy, and is still talking about the fact that the pony pooped in front of her...of course dad did point it out! It is really great to be able to experience these things through Reese's eyes and to be able to feel like a kid again.

Tonight when I put her to bed we did our little ritual where we cuddle after reading books in the chair and we talk about all the things that we did that day. It used to always be me telling her what we did, then it turned into Reese nodding her head agreeing with everyone that I told her, and now we have come to the part where Reese is talking about what we did. It is so cool to have her really carry on a conversation. I know that people tell you that it goes by so fast, but I do try and pay attention because I know that moments like this won't happen in 10 years! I told her that I wanted to continue our ritual forever and of course she told me yes (that is right now!).

So I am excited that I did get my 2 month leave for October and November...don't know how we will be swinging the Royal Learners payment (to keep her spot), but it will be so nice to be home every night. Especially since October is her birthday month as well as Halloween. Believe it or not, Halloween is the biggest sick day for flight attendants...it is because many of them are mommies and we don't want to miss going with our kids trick or treating! I always wanted it off because it is one of my favorite holidays...and now it is more special with Reese. I can't wait for this year because I think that she will understand the concept a little bit more. I know that I will have to do most of the candy collecting since Reese is at a point where mommy always has to do things first! That is okay though....as this time will pass as well. I was reading in a magazine about how this woman was so tired of always having to hold on to things that her son found while they were outside walking and the article stated that kids give us these things to hold because they trust us to hang on to things they deem precious. That tells me that Reese trusts me to guide her on what to do...such an honor to be a mommy.

Myrtle Beach

So I know that Reese and I just got back from the beach, but we just went again! This time it was a Halverson family vacation. Rob's parents, sister, brother-in-law, Rob, Reese, and I all went to Myrtle Beach. We were really looking forward to this since we don't get to see Rob's family all that often (they live in upstate NY). It was also a great opportunity for Reese to bond with her auntie and uncle Sandi and Mark. We arrived on Saturday and stayed until Thursday.

We had a wonderful time going to the beach and pool, playing in the sand, and yes boogie boarding! Reese kept seeing all the boogie boards and said that she would "take it" so grammy and grampa bought her one. She did go on it, but of course not like we would! Reese had a great time looking for shells on the beach too....we have quite a collection. And of course she realized how much fun it is to knock down the sandcastles!!!!

Reese also had a special moment with grampa-making his famous chocolate chip cookies with him...of course the best part is sampling the finished product!!!

On our trip Reese also rode on her first ferris wheel....we also rode the train, cars, and merry go round! Reese is still talking about the rides-guess we are in for lots more amusement parks!!!

We had a really great time and a really relaxing vacation...hanging out with family and of course having fun at the pool bar!!! Can't wait until the next Halverson family vacation!!!

July

Well the month of July really flew by....we spent plenty of time with Jessica and the new addition to her family (beautiful baby boy Cameron). We also spent plenty of time at the pool.

At the end of the month Reese and I flew out to Santa Barbara, CA to visit my parents. She was an absolute angel the entire plane ride!!!! Can't believe it. She slept a couple of hours and then just sat on my lap for the rest of the trip and read books, ate biscoff cookies (Delta trademark!), and drank her milk! It was so funny that Reese woke up and immediately knew the biscoff cookie package - even though we haven't flown in a couple of months (and no I don't bring them home from work!!!).

In Santa Barbara we had a great time and Reese adjusted much better to the time change than I ever could have guessed. Our first night we went to dinner downtown. The next day we woke up and went to the Santa Barbara zoo....it is such a nice small zoo and had a cool kids playground where Reese really got to paling around with grandpa! After the zoo we went for a walk on the beach and walked along an artist market on the beach. Reese of course wanted to go in the ocean even though she had her clothes on! She came out soaked, but that is what vacation is all about.

Our second full day there we went to the beach...we had a picnic lunch on the beach and there was also a fun playground at the beach that Reese had fun with. We tried building sandcastles, I say try since there is a child around! Before we went to the beach we did see some young flamenco dancers (it was Fiesta Week in Santa Barbara). We bought Reese a fiesta dress and it has now become her "dancing dress".

Our last full day there (yes we only went for 3 full days) we had a wonderful lunch on the pier (Reese ate my clamstrips) and then went for a walk along the sea wall. We had lots of fun trying to avoid the impending water coming over the wall! We had a great view of Santa Barbara and the mountains too. After that we walked down to the Farmers Market downtown and then went out to dinner. That night we walked home under the stars....really cool.

We can't thank nana and grampa enough for such a wonderful vacation!!!