Monday, May 30, 2011

Memorial Day at the Beach


We are just in from spending a long weekend at Holden to celebrate Memorial Day. The weekend was perfect! Branner was so good on the rides down and back, the weather was amazing and we had SO MUCH FUN! We took B on wagon rides and early morning walks, played on the beach, pushed him in his swing, ate lunches at the Provision Co. (our favorite--shrimp burgers, yum!), took several boat rides, grilled out, had glasses of wine on the back deck, sat in the sun and read books, took afternoon naps (both B and I),


went to Treasure Island where B drove/rode the Fred Flinstone car--


and rode on a carousel for the first time,


splashed in B's baby pool,


waited and waved to Daddy and Big Papa when they came in from fishing excursions and


just enjoyed each other's company in general. We can't wait to go back for a long vacation in June--we'll be Holden Beach bums again this summer! Happy Memorial Day, everyone!

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

The Big 3-0



My birthday has come and gone, and I am officially thirty! Here's how I celebrated the actual day:

  • Woke up to a "Happy Birthday" picture colored by Branner.
  • Took B to a dermatologist follow-up appointment. His skin looks great, by the way, so good news!
  • Received lots of sweet phone calls, texts, Facebook messages and e-mails. What a lucky girl I am to have such amazing people in my life!
  • Went to my favorite class at the Y, Total Strength.
  • Had lunch with my great friend, Stacey, and her adorable kiddos.
  • Spent an hour sunning, listening to beach music and with a new book on my back patio.
  • Caught up on some of my favorite Sunday night shows while the boys went on a long bike ride. Y'all know I was watching the Celebrity Apprentice finale, so I missed everything else.
  • Enjoyed a delicious dinner Barry picked up from Dean and Deluca.
  • Had a glass of champagne and a pink (strawberry) cupcake.
  • Watched RHONJ and went to bed early.

These days, that is a perfect birthday in my book! After all the celebrating I did this weekend, it was just what I needed. Can't wait to spend a weekend at the beach with my parents and ring in this new chapter in my life with them!

Friday, May 20, 2011

Birthday Celebration Weekend!



Well, it's finally here...the weekend before my thirtieth birthday! I have so much going on this weekend, but I'm really excited! Here's what's on tap:

  • Volunteering at Fish & Fiddles--a fish fry/bluegrass event tonight at our church.
  • My great friend, Jamie's, baby shower tomorrow.
  • Jason and Kendra coming in town tomorrow afternoon.
  • My birthday dinner/celebration at Dandelion Market tomorrow night.
  • A day at the lake with Lauren, Bennett and Drew on Sunday.
  • Celebrity Apprentice finale on Sunday night (sorry, I'm obsessed with the show, I'm excited).
I'm sure come Monday, my actual birthday, I will be exhausted! What better way to recover than a long weekend at the beach to celebrate with my family next weekend?!?!?! Surprisingly, I'm looking forward to the next week/weekend! Turning thirty doesn't scare me...yet!!!!

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Fun at Gymnastics!


Branner is really enjoying his gymnastics class!

There are so many fun things to do and play with...

but, sometimes you just need to take a break!

We can't wait until next week! See you Thursday, Gymboree!

16 Months

We have a little outdoorsman on our hands! Branner loves playing and being outside! Whether it be at the park or our yard, he definitely prefers the great wide open. He continues to be sweet and funny, but he definitely has an independent streak and has started having tantrums sometimes when he doesn't get his way. B is DEFINITELY a toddler! He is into everything and curious, curious, curious. He loves figuring out how things work and asking, "What's that?," which is an upgrade from, "That?!" We are enjoying him so much and can't wait until our pool opens up so we can cool off and have fun playing in the water!

Likes: Playing outside, visiting Jake--the dog across the street, loving on Chloe, playing fetch with Bailey, bike rides with Daddy, trips to the park and going down the slide, Monkey Joe's, gymnastics at Gymboree, tractors (also his new favorite word), bubbles, coloring, sidewalk chalk, wagon rides, Cozy Coupe rides, riding on his scooter and Sit-n-Scoot, cars, trucks, anything with wheels, baths--he loves sticking his face in the water and blowing bubbles, real picture books, Yo Gabba Gabba, Elmo, peek-a-boo and hide-and-go-seek, puzzles, giving hugs and kisses, Gigi and Big Papa, climbing all over our furniture, his bean bag, bounce houses, sunglasses, hats, making and taking calls on his toy phone, helping pick things up and putting them away, boat rides, water bottles, building things, etc., etc., etc.

Dislikes: Cutting molars, being told "no," and not getting his way.

Food: Meatballs, hotdogs, chicken, fish sticks, popcorn shrimp, turkey, whole wheat crackers, American cheese, pickles, cupcakes, Vanilla Wafers, squeeze fruit & veggies, broccoli, peas, carrots, bananas, apples, a marinated veggie salad I make, mashed potatoes, meatloaf, pancakes, waffles, this list could go on forever...

Clothing: 12-18 months in shirts, 9-12 month in shorts, size 5 shoes. He is able to wear all of his shorts, overalls and bathing suits from last year, which I CANNOT BELIEVE!

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Monkey Joe's

Branner and I are just in from spending the morning at Monkey Joe's with Sara, Charlie and Sam. WHOA! I am TIRED! Of course, B was not interested in the two play areas designated for his age group. So, I ended up carrying him up the "big boy" slides and going down with him--like 852 times. I wasn't expecting to get a workout, but I sure did. Bonus points! He also enjoyed pushing the buttons on the games in the game room area and trying to run behind the bouncy areas. We capped off the morning with quesadillas for lunch at Moe's with Barry. Fun day...pics to come!

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Another Reading List



Alright, y'all. By now you know how much I love to read, so I've put together my summer reading list from friend recommendations. For anyone that's interested, here it is:

One Fifth Avenue by Candace Bushnell

Family Trust by Amanda Brown

Meg Cabot Novels

The Politician by Andrew Young

Small Sacrifices by Ann Rule

Book Ends by Jane Greene

The Trials of the Honorable F. Scott Darcy by Sara Angelini

Henry's Sisters by Cathy Lamb

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

Alone in the Kitchen with an Eggplant by Jenni Ferrari-Adler

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

The Dead Don't Dance by Charles Martin

Maggie by Charles Martin (sequel to above)

I'm still taking suggestions, so if you know of a great book, leave a comment and let me know! Summer's almost here, and I love it!!

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Gymboree!

Last Thursday, I took Branner for a trial class at Gymboree. HE LOVED IT! From the second his feet hit the floor, he was off and running--not that I was surprised! We have enrolled, and are now taking a Thursday morning class. He had a blast again today, and was completely worn out by lunch time. The best part about the classes is that there is plenty of time for free play and exploration, which is perfect for B. Activities that are too structured just don't work for a(n extra) high-energy almost 16-month-old. We learned that the hard way (hello, Kindermusik, I'm talking to you!), and are looking forward to next week already!

Monday, May 9, 2011

Mother's Day


Mommy's little man


Mimi's boy


Gigi's buddy

Sunday, we celebrated Mother's Day (and the second anniversary of me finding out I was going to be a mommy) with my family. Barry and I drove back from South Boston, Virginia, where we had been for a wedding (more on that later) to cookout with everyone and spend time with some of the special moms in our lives--Gigi and Mimi! It was a wonderful day, and I was so relaxed from my spa day on Saturday. Thanks for spoiling me, boys! Branner and I are so lucky and blessed to have amazing mothers/grandmothers/great-grandmothers like my mom and Mimi in our lives. We love you, Gigi and Mimi!!! Happy Mother's Day to all of our mommy friends!

Friday, May 6, 2011

Crayons and Coloring

Branner has a new hobby--creating beautiful masterpieces (OK, scribbling on paper with crayons and trying to eat them). Fun!





Thursday, May 5, 2011

Fun with Bubbles!

This week, we have been blowing bubbles in the afternoons, and Branner LOVES it! He likes to chase them...

Find them in the grass...

Pop them...

Play in the solution and make "art" on the driveway with it...

And, to just walk around with the wand!

I bought a bubble gun at Target today; more bubble fun to come!

Monday, May 2, 2011

Bathtime Bonanza!

Bathtime at the Kirby house is SO FUN...

Just ask Branner! The look of sheer delight on his face in these pictures perfectly captures his love for a good, fun bath.

There are fun toys to play with,

and murky Aveeno water to soak in!

It's the perfect way to unwind after a busy day!

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Naptime is the New Happy Hour

Current Read: Naptime is the New Happy Hour and Other Ways Toddlers Turn Your Life Upside Down by Stefanie Wilder-Taylor. Hilarious!!!!!! Highly recommend it for those out there with toddlers! Also check out her book, Sippy Cups Are Not for Chardonnay. Love her!