Fun with Friends

Last week Mommy planned a get together with some of her internet mom friends. The moms talk about us online all the time, so they figured that we should probably meet!!

There were four mommies and eight kids total. We decided to go to the Hands on House to play and then have lunch at the Oregon Dairy. These are my new friends Connor, Emily (she's an old friend!) and Eva. We were all born within one month of each other!



Eva and I loved inspecting the eggs. The ones with cracks had to be thrown away. It was fun tossing all those rotten eggs!


Emily and I very carefully milked the cow. We didn't want to hurt Bessie!
















Eva and I had to make sure that the local restaurants received their share of our fresh corn.


I wasn't quite sure what was going on here. We had to make a thingamajiggy and put it through all sorts of quality tests. It didn't involve princesses or anything sparkly, so it lost my interest quickly!

Speaking of sparkles, I found this stylish vest in the dress up room and proceeded to put on a concert for my friends.

I hope American Idol is still on the air in 10 years - I'm ready for it!

The obligatory photo on Daddy's tractor!

After an hour and a half of playing, we were tired and ready for some lunch!

When the people at the Oregon Dairy saw us coming, they realized quickly that we'd probably need our own room. They put us in the back in a private area! We felt very special :)

Lunch was yummy, but our ice cream took its sweet time getting back to us. We thought that a few rounds of "Ring Around the Rosey" would keep our minds off of the coming treats!

Maisie and I both loved our ice cream!

Claire loved hanging out with all of our new friends, too. We hope to see them all again soon!

A few days later we had another fun outing with friends. This time we went to an air show with our neighbors Tom, Libby, Natalie and baby Lillian. We saw planes to lots of cool tricks, but my favorite part was sitting on Daddy's shoulders so I could see better. I felt so tall!

Mommy's favorite part was the parachuters. They landed on a specific spot on the runway - how did they do that?!?

The pilots did all sorts of cool spins, turns and tricks. When they were finished, the did a drive by so that we could wave to them.

Natalie and I were snug as bugs in a rug in my stroller. Daddy got a good workout pushing us!!

Claire didn't seem to mind the loud planes too much, especially when I ducked under her shade to check on her. I think she really just wanted some of my fries!

It was a hot afternoon, but we had lots of fun with our neighbors!!

Return To Hilton Head

We're back!!

For the second year in a row, Mommy, Daddy, and I made the long drive down to Hilton Head with our new beach buddy Claire. Daddy had a genius idea to drive overnight, so instead of taking over twelve hours like last year, we made the trip in just over ten!! Claire slept the ENTIRE trip, and I finally dozed off after chatting non-stop for about two hours :)

We arrived early Saturday morning and immediately met up with Nana and Joepa to start our fantastic vacation!!

The big news this year (aside from our new beach companion, Claire), was that I am no longer afraid of the water!! Ocean water, pool water - I loved it all. Last year they couldn't get me into the ocean, this year they couldn't get me out!!


It seems like Claire isn't afraid, either. This is her very first dip into the ocean!



We were even able to pull Daddy away from his tennis to join us at the beach one morning!


One of my favorite things to do at the beach - sit with Nana in one of her beach chairs, watch the ocean and make 'mud pies' with the sand.




I think Claire enjoyed Nana's chair, too!





Claire, wishing she could run out and jump in the waves by herself.


This pile of sand needs some accessories - aka, pretty seashells.



Mommy didn't get a photo of me with it, but I found my very own sand dollar on the beach!! Nana was very jealous - she's been looking for one for years!!


Modeling my favorite Ariel cover-up!


I loved the pool even more than I loved the beach! Give me some floaties and move aside!



Claire loved kicking her chubby legs in the pool, too!!





Mommy, Claire, Nana and I spent LOTS of time at the pool!



Even Claire laughed when she realized that she looked like the Michelin man in her bathing suit!!

To keep with tradition, we went to the Old Oyster Factory on our first night out. There were hush puppies. Lots and lots of hush puppies...

Thankfully Daddy didn't order any wine this year!




Claire didn't seem too upset that she couldn't try the hush puppies.

The next day we explored Shelter Cove, and Mommy admired all of the beautiful boats that she wants, but will never have.






We were so excited that we got to eat lunch at the Salty Dog Cafe this year - last year the line was too long. Here I am riding Jake, the Salty Dog!!




Love my Salty Dog cup!!




Claire decided to model the Salty Dog hat that Nana and Joepa bought for Reed. It fits Claire now, so it might be a LONG time before it fits little Reed :)


Having fun with Nana and Joepa at the Salty Dog.



Claire got a bit irked when she wasn't included in the first photo!

That night we went to Sea Pines to see my favorite singer - Gregg Russell. He's been singing in Hilton Head every summer for over THIRTY years!! I have his CD and listen to it all the time.


I was excited for Claire to experience his show for the first time. Daddy was so nice to hold me AND Claire so that we could both see!

The next day we went on a dolphin cruise. We chose a different ship with a different route this year - we got to travel on the Atlantic Ocean this time!!



We saw a TON of dolphins!! I didn't get to drive the ship this year, though, so I left a little bit disappointed.
Claire didn't see quite as many dolphins as we did...

For our last night, we went to Marley's for dinner. It was delicious!! We were all in really good moods considering we had to leave the next day. Mommy even let me take this photo!


I took this photo, too. Hilton Head brought out the creative side of me!



Goodbye Hilton Head! We had a marvelous week and we can't wait to return!

A "Little" Birthday Party

Sorry for the delay! Between my birthday and our trip to Hilton Head, we haven't had time to update the blog!

On July 18th, I invited twelve of my best friends to a place called the Little Gym to help me celebrate my 4th birthday. For 90 minutes, we ran, jumped, played and basically acted like a bunch of crazy kids (and no grown-ups yelled at us not to!!)


First we had some circle time so everyone could introduce themselves. For those who were a little shy, I took over and introduced them to the group.


My favorite part of the party - the Air Trak!! We were allowed to sit on it while our party leaders blew it up with air. TOO FUN!!


We bounced and bounced and bounced!


Then we played a fun game with the gym balls.



During open gym time, I showed off my gymnastics skills. Who knew I had gymnastics skills?!? Watch out Shawn Johnson!
Even Claire had fun (mostly thanks to Nana and Aunt Sammi!)

After playing until we dropped, it was time for cake!!

If you ever invite my cousin Drew to a party, make sure he gets the first piece of cake!!


I hand picked the Ariel cake - we had to go to a few different bakeries to find the perfect one!


I became very shy when everyone started to sing to me. I am used to being the person who sings, not the person who is sung to - it was very weird!



I made sure that my boyfriend Francesco sat right next to me - the beauty of being the birthday girl is that you get everything you want!


Something else that I wanted...a hug from Francesco!


I told Mommy and Daddy twice during the party that it was the best party I ever had! I had so much fun and was so happy that my friends could help me celebrate!!

Stay tuned for a post about our magnificent vacation to Hilton Head!!