Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch!

Last Tuesday, our playgroup went to the pumpkin patch. It was a really fun outing. Ash & I did not go on the hay ride or jump castle since there were bus loads of 3rd & 4th graders taking over. It was OK though. She enjoyed running around and looking at all of the "bapples". I tried to explain that they were actually pumpkins, but I got NO WHERE with the conversation, so big & orange bapples it is!!

Pumpkins, pumpkins, pumpkins EVERYWHERE...yet, Ashlyn and Emily only had interest in this one! They both insisted on sitting on it, at the same time. This went on for about 15 minutes. It was hilarious. They would both try to sit, one would fall, get up & push the other off! No one ever got upset, which was truly a miracle!

BIG GIRL BED!!!

So, Ash has started climbing on EVERYTHING! We saw her leaning over the crib one morning, so we knew it was time to convert to the toddler bed. OK, Rick might have suggested it a month ago...I was just in denial that my baby is growing up!

Ashlyn and I stayed downstairs while Rick did the handy work. When he was finished, he called us upstairs. We both made a HUGE deal over her bed. She started squealing and jumped right in to check it out. It was the cutest thing ever!!!

Very proud of the new bed!!! After dinner, Rick took Ashlyn upstairs to go to bed. He rocked her, as usual, and then put her in the bed. We had been warned that it might be a rough night. Several friends told us that their children would get up a zillion times at first, just because they had the freedom. Rick closed the door...we both listened to see what she would do. She walked over to the door & knocked a couple of times & fussed for less than a minute...then it was silent. Hum...

It was about an hour before Rick and I went to bed. We went into Ash's room to check on her. We both kind of expected to find her on the floor by the door, or something, but she had climbed into bed & was sleeping peacefully! We were so proud of her...I had to call Nana to brag!!! "We love you Boo Bear!"

The next morning she came running into our room. She went to Rick first, then over to me & got about two inches from my face and screamed "hey" with a big smile! So far, this has been her pattern.

The Weekend-Only as fun as you MAKE it!

We were a bit disappointed that Rick had to work with the Reserves all weekend, but it actually turned out to be OK. Rick was awesome & managed to hang out each night, even though I know he was exhausted. Ashlyn and I had coffee with the neighbors, went to a playgroup Birthday party, met Aunt Glenda for lunch, went shopping (but, of course!)church, brunch..... Ash is such great company!!!

Playing in the jungle gym at Charlie's Birthday.

Ash went through all of the tunnels and mazes by herself. It was so cute! She got to the end, saw the huge twirly slide & decided absolutely NOT!!! She turned around quicker than anything & headed back to the bottom!

Notice Ashlyn's direction...we were all singing & Jennifer started towards the table with Charlie's cake. Ash went from clapping to "on a mission" in less than a half a second. Before I could bend over to catch her, she was on the other side of the table...with a BIG grin!

Happy Birthday dear Charlie..."Hey, look over there for a minute!" Charlie was trying to enjoy his "smash cake" on his 1st Birthday, but I have a feeling that Ashlyn had a different plan for the occasion! If you have spent any time with her in the past couple of months, you KNOW that she has become quite the trickster and teaser! She had the look in her eyes as Charlie was eating. She even glanced at me a couple of times to see if I was paying attention to what she was up to...Yes Ash, Mommy knows how you work!!!

A couple of the moms from play group were egging her on, so I decided it was best to scoop her up & move to the opposite side of the table.

I was so proud of Ashlyn! She was the only kid at the party to eat all by herself...Wait, maybe I was the only Mom crazy enough to let this potential mess occur...either way, she did great!!!

YES, it is October, and YES, it has been in the 80's, and YES our rose bushes are bigger and better than EVER!!! Go figure! It has been awesome. Rick keeps the vases in the house full for us!

I MUST check this out!

Hey Dad, can I help?

Ouch, ouch, ouch...Daddy these flowers HURT!!! Look at my finger!!! Maybe I should take a hint from Bono & just watch!?!


"he a Smat Dawg!" Ha Ha

Ashlyn Ann's 1st Hair Cut!

So, the day was here...it was time to take Ashlyn for her first hair cut. (Well, trim...I was very specific about the details & Yes, I have turned into THAT Mom!) Rick and I had been talking about taking her for a couple of weeks & with the rainy day in store, it just seemed right. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Ash's curls! However, the curly "mullet" that was starting to grow was sending out a different kind of southern message! (No offense to anyone who sported one back in the day) So, we headed out to Bangs & Bows for the adventure. Ashlyn liked sitting in all of the fun chairs, but when they started wetting and combing her hair, she was done!!! I tried letting her sit in my lap, but NO luck. Finally, Rick sat down and saved the day! Thank God he was with us!!!

Fire Truck = COOL!!!

W A I T !!! Messing with my hair = NOT COOL!!!

This is better...Daddy always makes everything better :)

Dad, are you watching this lady? Do NOT let her mess up my hair, OK?

A Pink Airplane...Cool Beans!!!

As soon as they were done with Ashlyn's trim, she was so happy! She checked out all of the chairs & played on the train table!

"Nehehehehehehhe"

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my horse that Nana and Poppa gave me!

Girl's Week...a New Adventure!

Welcome "home" Marley and SamE!!!

Ash and I were just starting to get bored (Rick was out on a trip) when we received the call! The Otts were coming to SC! Chris, Marley, and SamE used to live in Mt. Pleasant, but got stationed at McChord, so they moved a year ago. The girls were coming here to take care of their old house...long story short, Ash and I invited them to just stay with us! YEA!!!

Friday we decided to hit the downtown area. We headed to the Children's Museum first. The girls had a blast. Next stop...Saffron's!!! We had a wonderful lunch! As for the dessert, which you know we had to have, Marley and I managed to sneak some to go. Then we saved it for after dinner...after the girls were in bed!!!

SamE and Ash playing in the toddler room. They both really enjoyed pulling this little frog around. It was too cute!

SamE exploring on the water table.

We found a new buddy!

A bad habit in the making? We are really going to have to talk to Ash about consuming too many carbs!

This week's theme at The Little Gym was sharing & each child was allowed to invite a friend to come to class. PERFECT! Marley and SamE came with us on Saturday morning for an hour of fun. SamE had never been to TLG before, so Ash and I were very excited to have them join us!!!

This looks very interesting! Let's see what we can do with these!!!

"Woaaa Whoooo...this is AWESOME! I love hangie thingies!!!"

Marley and SamE checking out the balance beam.

"It is time to go explore today..."

Ashlyn's loves it when she gets to go check out everything on her own. She climbs on everything & it still seems like she finds something new to enjoy each week!

"Look at me, Mom! I AM a monkey!"

"Me Want Bubbles!" SamE trying to catch the bubbles. They have been a class favorite ever since the kids started when they were 4 months old!

Saturday afternoon, Ash and I headed out to run some errands & Marley and SamE went to visit with some other SC friends. We all met back at the house later, so that the girls could nap. We had dinner & they were in bed pretty early. Marley and I were able to catch up, watch a movie, and enjoy some mommy time.

On Sunday morning, we packed up the girls and headed to the Memorial Park and Pier. Ash and I were very excited to show off Mt. Pleasant's newest attraction. With MUCH disappointment upon arrival, we discovered the playground was closed for construction! It looks like they are adding some very cool equipment, but, try explaining the situation to two very energetic toddlers!!! Marley and I soon found ourselves on a mission...a mission to find another park. We headed across town to our all time favorite - Alhambra Park!

Ash's favorite swing...yep! This is the same swing from the pictures back when she had her "first" visit to the park. Still fun - all day long!

Ha Ha Ha! SamE likes the swing, too!

Ash...most kids play IN the sandbox!"So much sand, so little time!"

It's raining, it's pouring...SAND!

Uhhh Ohhhh!!!

We are hearing a lot of "uh oh's" lately. The interesting thing - Ash thinks she should say it when an accident happens or when she does something on purpose (usually something that she knows she should not do). I have not quite figured out the way to explain the difference to her. So, this morning she covered the sidewalk, me, and herself with sand, looked at me, smiled & said "uh oh".

On Sunday afternoon, Marley, SamE, Ash & I joined Nana and Poppa for dinner. We went to a fundraiser over at the Shrimp Shack. They were having Frogmore Stew and BBQ . The proceeds were to go to the family that owned the Anna Grace, a shrimp boat that went down off of the coast of Sullivan's Island.

It might look like Ash is posing for the camera...do NOT be fooled! She is watching everyone out of the corner of her eyes to see if we are noticing her escape over the bridge!!!

Ashlyn and SamE really enjoyed running around the putt-putt course and checking out the ducks in the pond. It was a great night.

Tea for Two!

"I will share, cause this is good stuff!" "Thanks SamE"

We are going to MISS you lots!

Scrub A Dub Doggy!

Be careful what you BEG for buddy!!!

If you know our dog, then you know how much he LOVES attention! Well, he is in luck these days because Ashlyn has discovered that giving him a bath can be a ton of fun! With that said, I will add that Rick has had to limit the fun to once a week, as Ash started bringing Daddy the bucket on a daily basis!!!