And..it's back to green tea 4 me!

Hello one and all. The Hodges have been on vacation....and now need a vacation from the vacation ;-) We were fortunate enough to be invited to stay with our friend Kim down at the beach on last Friday night 7.11.08....this meant packing and leaving a day earlier than we had planned since we had a wedding on Saturday at Wrightsville and then my side of the family would be down for the remainder of the week. So we packed up and got down there Friday night. I tend to move a lot faster when sand, sun, and water are involved.....Anyhow, going down early was a tremendous help....and I don't even know if she reads this but if so...THANK YOU KIM!! It was such a relief to be able to enjoy some relaxing, sand and sun prior to the wedding....and despite the boat mishaps (long story)....check in to our house at Carolina Beach and still make it to the wedding on time! Unfortunately, I left my camera at the house that day so I don't have wedding pics, but it was beautiful! Ashley and Greg looked so happy and everything was perfect for their special day. My parents kept Skylar and Randy & I enjoyed some drinks and dancing at the wedding.....hanging out with friends.....a little too much fun I think....ummm...well I'm sure too much fun....but anyhow.....the wedding was amazing and I know the new Cooper couple has many many years of love and fun awaiting them.

As for our week at the beach....it was fantastic...crazy, fun, lots of food, family, friends...and perfect weather! And birds...there should be some rather plump birds at CB now...I'm pretty sure of it....Over the course of the week my aunt and her 3 boys were there along with my parents and my brother. My aunt's other daughter and friend came down for one night as did a friend of hers. Randy, Skylar & I enjoyed our time with everyone....Being a red-head, my little one can't be...and doesn't like to be out in the sun a lot...she prefers it cool and cloudy....(I know....she didn't get that from me!)...and we didn't have much of that except for early morning and late evening....which tended to be when she enjoyed the beach the most.....She loved our visit to the aquarium but we're pretty sure she was thinking it was a zoo too because she kept asking to see the animals!! Guess another trip to the zoo in the fall will need to be put on the calendar! Although the beach house tended to be a bit zoo-like at times...but I guess that's not really what she ment by going to "see the animals"....Wouldn't have it any other way though. We are definitely not a boring crowd...that's for sure....Ohhhh..the sharks...I have tell you about the sharks....After dinner one evening, we went out on the pier and watched people surf fishing for shark....why? I have no idea...I suppose they like the challenge...I prefer to fish for fish and keep them...but these guys were going after the big ones....(sharks)...and they caught some! But the neatest thing was seeing the sharks (while up on the pier) swimming in the water....it was so cool...and somewhat frightening at the same time. These were no baby sharks and they were freakishly close to where most people would swim off shore. It was insane. Soooo, the week was full of fun in the sun....food/drinks...swimming....oh and the wii, let's not forget the wii play...as you can see pictured here....boxers in action...and then have....walking, walking, and more walking....but we needed to be walking with all that we consumed...that's for sure!! I'm pretty sure the tiki hut /ocean grille will miss our crowd!! We got to see some fireworks, hear a little music, venture out for a little night life, and actually took a few naps ourselves...when Skylar napped of course....!! But trying to keep a toddler on a schedule at the beach.....haaa...it's a tough thing to do. And by the end of the week, Skylar was in dire need of getting back on her normal schedule. I don't care how late a kid sleeps to make up for going to bed late....or how long of a nap they take....if MY kid is off schedule...lemme tell you...it ain't pretty. So on the Saturday we departed, Skylar slept most of the way home...which put her timing back on schedule pretty much. And she's been a complete angel since. As for Caffrey's week....well he spent the week being spoiled by our friend Ms. Conni and her son. They took such good care of him and I'm pretty sure he misses them already. Skylar apparently missed Caffrey too, because she hasn't given him a minute to breathe when she's around him. Funny story about that ....in another post to come of course....anyhow...We picked Caffrey up Saturday evening and got everyone home and back on schedule. Sunday we were lazy and missed church but we made it to the grocery store where Skylar "helped" put all the items in cart and pulled the cart along. Twas a couple times we had to put random items back on the shelf without her seeing....but she was soooo proud to be helping us grocery shop. After our eventful shopping trip it was home for lunch and nap time. Skylar woke up from her nap ready to go "shopping" again...she wakes up saying..."I had a good nap mommy and daddy! I had a good nap!" ..... :-) So we loaded up and went to farmers market so she could pick out some fresh fruit and veggies. Then we took her to lake wheeler to feed some hungry duckies and play on the playground.....As she said her prayers that evening....she said "God bless...(insert name) as she goes through the family....and "Thank you God for the playground!" I had to laugh...I thought that was too cute. She comes up with the most random funny things...I must say...I'll have to post some Skylar wisdom sometime. You'd be surprised how much of a comedian a 2 year old can be, but sweet and gentle and so loving all at the same time.....So...as Skylar would say...for the beach week..."It was perfect mommy, it's just perfect!" .........And now...it's back to school for our little princess...back to work for Randy....and as for me...it's back to work...back to a 1/3'rd of the caloric intake I had last week....and as for my beverage of choice...we'll it's back to the green tea for me!! Have a happy day!

Catch a big fish!!!

For the weekend previous to the 4th, we had thought about doing some visiting in H-town but things weren't going as we would have liked to facilitate that....sooo we actually stayed home....well, stayed in Raleigh, but when do we ever stay home??? Naptime and bedtime is about it I suppose. Randy and I took Skylar out to Lake Johnson to feed the ducks and ride the pedal boats etc. I'm pretty sure she was eye to eye with some of the geese. They were as tall as she was and so we preferred to guide her towards the little ducks to make friends. One of the ducks ate some bread out of her hand and she swore "That duckie bite Skylar's finger!" It didn't.....of course...but I think she was a little shocked that the duck took the bread out of her hand before she was ready to give it to him/her. Nevertheless, she enjoyed her time out there. After naptime we got to visit with the Urban's and other friends at Kim and Brian's new beautiful home in Eagle Ridge! Soooo pretty! Had a great time over there grilling out with friends and Little Aidan and Skylar tried to teach their daddy's how to play golf. Well Aidan liked the golf balls of course....and Skylar loved it all....especially running around all over the greens....maybe she'll teach me one day....that'd be a bit of challenge I think....lol...

I do hope everyone had a happy 4th. We were at the lake house among the storms and rain. But we did get in a good bit of lake/sun time, some fishing, and some "not so little" pyro action in the sky. Throughout the long weekend we had family time with the Hodges, my folks, and friends....the White's, the Prince family, and neighborhood folks. There was lots of yummy food, pretty sweet fireworks.....compliments of my hubby, golf cart escapades...at Skylar's request....and just an all around great time despite the storms that we had to plan around. Skylar's new hobby is fishing we think. She was quite adamant about going fishing and she even held a fish. We frequently heard, "Catch a big fish Daddy!!....Catch a big fish Mommy!" Obviously she wasn't thrilled with the size of the brim and the 'bait' fish we were catching ;-) However, she delighted in feeding them bread and potato chips. I'm pretty sure those fishes won't need to eat anything else for days. Nor do I for that matter. What is it with vacation and eating?? I've yet to figure it out. My brain seems to think...vacation = eat whatever you want...well that doesn't work so well for the waistline ya know! I'm pretty sure all that 'grey matter' up there in my head needs some re-wiring when it comes to being away from home. How about you? Do you "vacate" from your daily healthy eating routines? It sure takes some willpower not to do that. I mean I won't give up chips and salsa for anything but I can stay away from the pastas I think. Easier said than done though when you have a 2 year old to feed and what they need to eat isn't necessarily what you/I really need to be eating. Oh well....I suppose I just have to add miles to my running to make up for it for now! Speaking of which...boy do I wish I looked this cute in a bikini....Skylar was quite proud to show off her red, white, & blue! ......So it's back to work for the week and then we leave for the beach on Saturday....a wedding in Wrightsville then Carolina Beach for the week. Saturday can't get here fast enough for me! But I'm praying old Bertha out there in the Atlantic stays far far away from us! If the weather cooperates....maybe we can catch that "big fish" that Skylar wants!! Let's hope! No sharks though preferably....we've seen our share of those in our beach travels....I'll settle for the mahi please.... ;-)

Just ramblin.....

It's amazing to me how fast kids learn....and how much smarter they are than we typically give them credit for. Example...the other night Skylar got out her flash cards....and typically does the 52...(or 152) card pick up game. Yeah that's always a treat. Anyhow, she started naming the pictures on the cards and THEN...she says, and Mommy, this is a house....that is letter 'H'....I'm quite sure the look on my face was quite puzzling for her. She continues, ..."mommy that's an x-ray, and so that is letter X"...."This is letter L" etc. You get the picture. I mean she's known her abc's for quite some time now, and even knows them when I do them in sign language, but she threw me off with the cards. She was rattling off letter by letter and the cards weren't in order either. Maybe that's a typical 2 year old skill?? I dunno,...but it sure caught me off guard. I mean I knew that she knew some letters when I'd point to them on her alphabet magnets....but she really knows her stuff. Reading by age 3?? ;-) We'll see!! Regardless, that little girl teaches her mommy and daddy knew stuff everyday. Never a dull moment in the Hodges house and I wouldn't have it any other way. Her latest craze is dancing and singing.....but you don't dare interrupt to sing or dance WITH her....it's her show and she sure lets you know that from the start. If she's heard a song more than once....she knows the words and will sing her little heart out.....how cute...even if she is tone deaf....lol...no really...it's the sweetest voice I've ever heard of course. So anyhow...the other night we kept "baby Lily"...my neighbors little one. Skylar was an excellent babysitter. While playing on the floor with Lily, Skylar decided it was time to exercise!! So she stands up and tells Lily...."Reach your arms waaayyy up to the sky...Now put your feet out like these and stttreeetcchh....this way....now this way.." I'd never seen her do this little routine so I was intrigued....Lily was too apparently...keep in mind Lily isn't even 4 months old yet....lol..but she was watching Skylar's every move! I think Skylar's highlight of the evening was feeding Lily her bottle....thankfully Lily was rather patient with Skylar as well.... ;-)

Well TGIF folks....I gotta run....literally...my treadmill is starring at me....yes it has eyes....now where'd i put that oxygen again??? ;-) happy weekend!

A 2 year old's mind

Skylar : "Mark was really nice at school today. We read books."
Me : "You did?" "Well that's sounds like a great day!"
Skylar : "Hannah had on yellow."
Me : "She did?" "Yellow is a nice color."
Skylar : "Mommy has on orange and I have on pink."
Me : "That's correct!" "Good job honey...." "Now it's nite nite time....
Skylar : "ha ha ha...I"m so funny mommy! I soo funny!"
........And that's how a 2 year old procrastinates at bedtime.....

Breakfast....
Me : "Skylar do you want an egg and cheese with fruit?" Or do you want O's or a bagel?" "What would you like?"
Skylar : "O's mommy, I want O's please!" (aka cheerios)
....I bring her a bowl of O's........
Skylar : "I want raisins!"
Me : "I'm all out of raisins."
Skylar : "I want blueberries!"
Me : "We just ran out of blueberries." - (Side note..she likes fruit in her cereal...) "I can put bananas in it."
Skylar : "Well go to the store mommy!" "Go to the store and get raisins and blueberries please!"
Needless to say....there shall be an abundance of blueberries and raisins in the fridge for breakfast in the morning......

Just thinkin

Have I mentioned I LOVE the beach? Just making sure I made that clear. I love the sun too....but I've actually learned to use sunscreen despite my tanning addiction. I guess when you have kids, with all the priority changes you make....(and even if you don't have kids...or your's are grown and gone) being healthy ranks high up on that list....or at least it should. I've become increasingly interested in organic foods & beverages, foods/vitamins that fight or help prevent disease ie...green tea...etc....and also in safer baby products. As as side note......if you haven't read up on the SLS and formaldahyde in shampoos and body washes....even J&J...read up on it. Pretty interesting what you'll find.....and because of things I've read...I'm trying a new shampoo/body wash with Skylar....called California Baby.....so far so good!! It has no SLS and no formaldahyde or formaldahye relatives.....so it says.....But apparently Castile soap is the safest thing to use...Check out this site....Pretty neat site. Can search for "safe" products like baby shampoos / makeup etc...show's you the toxitity levels in products and what each is linked to. So you can find safer products to use http://cosmeticdatabase.com/index.php?key=28066833&message=Successfully+updated+Supporter+information
Anyhow...we all know the organic foods and the safer products seem to carry a higher price tag....and that bites.....but quite honestly....for the sake of my child and my family....I can find ways to save in other areas. Those of you that know me....know full well I'm no "Whole Foods" dedicated shopper....lol...but with all the "bad stuff" going around these days....increased need for stronger meds,....overuse of antibiotics etc....I sure am willing to try newer healthier foods/products to keep my kiddo and my family as healthy and as safe as possible. I mean why not?? But you do have to be careful and learn to read labels. I've definitely learned that. "Juice" isn't always "juice"....you get the picture. So I'm not stressin' over the topic or anything.....but if there's a healthier alternative to what we use today....why not give em' a try....I'm just thinkin...

Showers, Weddings, Anniversaries...

This week, Randy's parent's (to the left)celebrated their 34th anniversary and My parents (in pic below)celebrated their 35th!! Cheers to the parents and hope they had wonderful anniversaries!! This past weekend Randy & I helped the Hodges with a wedding shower for yet another couple getting married. They'll tie the knot in July at the beach. Won't miss that one ;-) Love me some sand and sea....oh I'll stop in at the wedding too of course. hee hee...Seriously I think Randy and I attend more weddings and showers in any given year than anyone else we know.......we love staying on the go....most of the time......we just need to figure out those winning lottery numbers though if we keep going at this rate!! ;-) After the July wedding, I think they settle down for us for a while....and our vacations to the beach will kick in!! yippee!! So in short....congrats to our parents.....congrats to all those just married and those approaching the altar.....and until our next nuptuial venture....I'll be posting some new topics later in the week....are you on the edge of your seat??!!....I'm so sure.....ha...tah tah 4now

Do you listen?!?

The Kiesel -Thorne wedding was a lot of fun, and the happy couple is honeymooning in Antigua! How great is that. I'm sooo jealous! Although, right now, it feels like tropical temps plus yucky humidity here in the Carolinas! Anyhow, the festivities began on Friday with a fantastic bridal luncheon at Biaggi's in Cary, then rehersal at the church. Let me just tell you.....the priest was a character. He was absolutely hilarious. Sooo reminded me of Jack Nicholson. Strange comparison huh? :-) He had that raspy voice and crazy humor. After the rehersal we had dinner at the Scott's Mill clubhouse. Good ol' NC bbq. Who can say no to that! There were toasts, tears, and cheers, and we all had a wonderful evening. The wedding itself was awesome, lots of standing up and sittin' down, and new things to see that I hadn't seen done in a ceremony. Randy & I did our reading together and we're so thankful we got to share in their special day. Apparently our elementary reading education paid off ;-) It was a beautiful ceremony.....and THEN...OFF to the reception at the Hilton! Cocktail hour came first with yummy apps and large variety of beverages ;-) Then the wedding party was introduced of course. There were dances, more toasts, an awesome dinner, beautiful cake etc. And the party went into the late evening with friends and family celebrating the newlyweds!! Ya know though, during the ceremony there was something the priest said that made me think....whatch out!!...Meredith's thinkin' here...He talked about how at weddings the wedding party always knows their cues, when sit/stand, sing, give and Amen...whatever...you know..they know their role. But he went on to talk about how a lot of times we just do our job as wedding guests as if it's just "what we know we have to do"....rather than really LISTENING to the words the people, the couple, and the priest have to say. I must say...I've done that a thousand times....our minds tend to wander off rather than really clinging on every important word that is shared in uniting 2 people in a lifelong marriage. Let's hope at the very least....the couple is really paying attention to the commitment they are making in front of God, family, and friends. Maybe if we all started listening a little better, there'd be more anniversaries to celebrate and less divorce in the world. One can hope!! So the next time you attend a wedding.....like I tell my 2 year old...."Put your listening ears on!!!"