They're Back!

Just a boy that's ready to see his little people! Best part of the weekend was we got the kids back on Friday from camp! ​They had been gone for a month!

We took Skiff with us to pick them up. Molly Anne wrote Skiff so many letters!

Got Grady first - that was what we all decided before drop off. We took him last and picked him up first. Molly Anne preferred that so she could be at camp longer and she knew Grady was a bit apprehensive about 4 weeks! He had the  best time. When we pulled in, he was still in his cabin and his counselor said he wasn't ready to leave it yet. When we finally saw Grady he said he wasn't getting in the car! I'd say camp was a success for him! He LOVED it!

Then we got our Molly Anne!

Skiff was the star of the show. All of the counselors and other campers loved him too!

Molly Anne was ready to come home but she is a camp lifer! She accomplished so many ranks this year! We are proud of her too!

We always take a blanket and or sweatshirt because they're not used to air conditioning. They haven't had it for a month. Grady took a 20 min nap! They make them sleep a good amount there so neither of them were totally zonked. 

And then the laundry commenced at the beach where my dryer leaves a lot to be desired! But I got it done! Took an entire day of constant loads. 3 sets of sheets, 4 sets of towels and 2 weeks of clothes per kiddos! (They do laundry 2 times at camp for them and return it all nice and folded)!

Until next year!

Classics

​ONE - I rarely wear pink clothes so I think pink kicks are extra cool because they match so many outfits! These are on sale and I'm obsessed.

TWO - a very easy top to wear in this heat! And I like it with the skirt below!

THREE - this necklace is SO cute. Pair with any white top and any shorts, jeans or whatever. 

FOUR - super into long skirts right now with a simple top. $48

FIVE - anyone tried this thick waisted white chill skirt? Def not for working out but super cute with pink shoes above!

SIX - one more because I couldn't not include this great top 

To Do List

I have had lots of things on my to do list while the kids are at camp! Some I've gotten done and others I haven't. Maybe I'll get more knocked off the list this summer.

• Clean out pantry - mostly done
  
• Clean out upstairs hall closet - I don't know if this really needs to be done. 
  
• Clean fridge - done
  
• Camp photo albums from last year and this year - I need to print pictures and I want to put all of their pics in albums!
  
• Plan Molly Anne's birthday party - almost done
  
• Get and wrap gifts for Molly Anne - done
  
• Rotate mattress - done
  
• Clean up kids school stuff - done
  
• Thank you notes to all of the kind people that did things for us when mom passed - done about 40. Have 26 to go. 
  
• Alterations for Grady's animal that Skiff messed up 
  
• Order frames and prints for Grady's room - almost done, would like to hang these 
• Clean out Molly Anne's closet and drawers - done
• Clean up Grady's room - halfway done 

July 4th Weekend

July 4th weekend started at my neighbor's home in Charlotte watching a World Cup game except I didn't get the red white and blue memo! It was so much fun though! ​

Down to Ocean Isle! Skiff enjoying the parade!

Our friends Benjy and Jess joined us since the kids were still at camp! Walking on the east end. 

July 4th night I made grouper, steamed shrimp, hashbrown casserole, corn and Caesar salad! Oh and Boat Dip appetizer - so good with Fritos. 

We missed Molly Anne so much on her birthday!! But I loved this photo from camp!

Fireworks from Hilary's new house!

And back to work we go!

Molly Anne is 11!

​Molly Anne turns 11 today! She is living it up at camp right now and loving every bit of it. I hate we aren't with her today but I am so happy she is happy! Here are some things about her:

1. She is friends with everyone and I love that about her! 

2. She is smart but also sporty. Well rounded is the name of her game.

3. She is loving field hockey these days and plans to try out for the middle school team. She played tennis this past spring on our club's team. 

4. She loves all of the Sephora and Target junk - body wash, skin care, lotion etc. I don't let her get too crazy with it all but she enjoys it. 

5. She is kind, considerate and caring. 

6. She LOVES Grady. And Skiff! 

7. She is a super great swimmer and loves the beach. 

8. She loves sweets more than salty! Ice cream and sunset slush galore!

9. She appears to be musically and artistically inclined! She's been playing piano and going to try percussion in the 6th grade band. 

10. She loves clothes and jewelry and all of the girlie things! So fun.  

We love her soooooo much! Yes, we watched the fireworks from the hospital overlooking uptown Charlotte back in 2015! 

Four Finds

Four finds to ease back into things! I haven't looked at websites or in stores in FOREVER! 

ONE - blue gingham shirt ​

TWO - looks like pottery barn but is Target!

THREE - a bubble vase $12

FOUR - into the house decor and feel like I need this for my square ottoman 

Menu Planning for the 4th

​I keep seeing all of these cute things to make for the 4th! 

One of my favorites so far is muddled raspberries at the bottom of a cup, fill with ice, add lime seltzer, top with blueberries. So red white and blue and a good mocktail!

I've also been seeing so many pasta salad recipes that look a bit different. I may end up making this one that I've made a zillion times. It was my mom's. 

Speaking of recipes. I went through alllll of her books and handwritten ones and brought the good stuff home! I'm so happy to have found a few originals that I didn't already have. 

Back to meal planning. I'm thinking we will do a fish and shrimp night with salad and maybe sliced tomatoes or corn. 

Maybe a taco night with tons of options - soft and hard tacos, sheet of nachos and all of the fixings.

And maybe a low country boil? 

Also, thinking about lunch ideas and may try the Hawaiian roll Italian sliders. 

Oh and my friend Lisa recently made coconut margaritas and I feel like I need to try that! 

Blowing Rock

On Friday morning, we took Skiff to be boarded at the breeder. We got to stop in and surprise a dear old neighbor that I grew up next door to! It was soooo wonderful to see her! ​These are the things I should be doing more of - and stop all of the chaos of other junk I shouldn't be doing! 

Kevin and I headed to Blowing Rock for Friday night. We stayed right downtown at the Embers hotel. It was perfect. We ended up shopping around and then we came upon a concert in town. We scooted back so I could change out of athletic clothes and we went right back. I had no idea that Blowing Rock was so dressy but it was! I needed to be cleaned up anyway ha. We met so many nice people and bounced around to different places to hang out. We ended the night dancing at Town Tavern with the most fun people!

Saturday we headed up to Mountain City, TN to visit Kevin's uncle for the night. We've needed to go see him for yearssss so I'm glad we finally made it happen! This was the only pic I took which was on the way down the mountain for breakfast yesterday! On Saturday night we went to OH restaurant in West Jefferson. I had the best trout! 

On Sunday we got to stop in Winston Salem and see Kevin's Aunt Kate who we have also needed to go see. She is 96 and smart as a tack! Using this time without the kiddos to make it happen! Then we picked up Skiff at 3 and headed back to Charlotte and drove through a wild storm! 

Hope everyone has a happy Monday!

Hey

​Stopping in on a Saturday to play a little catch up! I got back from Maryland on Wednesday. I stayed up there to get some things clean out of my parent's home and for Father's Day! Dad and I enjoyed some good meals with friends and we even got to pick crabs! 

My trusty traveler and I made it back to Charlotte Wednesday evening! I worked all day on Thursday.

Thursday night we went to our friend's home for dinner and it was fabulous! I basically want everything in her house. She has the best taste. And they were the best hostesses. 

I'll be back with another update soon! I LOVE being back to blogging! I've missed y'all and this is my happy place! 

Camp Drop Off

​Another big thing that has happened recently is we dropped the kids at camp! They will be there for a month and judging by the pictures so far, they're having a wonderful time! This year we took Molly Anne first. This was definitely the way to do it. Traffic was easier and my SIL could go check on her when she took Sarah. We even got to go on a boat ride with Grady!

Gorgeousness

A heartfelt thank you for alllll of your kind messages and emails. I really appreciate it so much! We had the most perfect celebration of Mom's life on Tuesday. She would have loved every detail. ​It was classy, gorgeous and perfect. We did just what she would have wanted us to do - have a party after the church service at our home. The catering was delish, the champagne was spot on and the company was the best. 

Friends of mine that I grew up with drove 8 and 9 hours to be with us. 8 of my coworkers flew up for the occasion. We think there were about 250 people at the church. So much love and support from friends and family. 

These are orchids in the flowers that drape over the guestbook table. We had a gold leather guestbook that I ordered. The pen is one of Molly Anne's to make it more personable. 

A lady named Alison did all of the flowers. She is the queen of gorgeousness on the eastern shore of Maryland! Peonies, more orchids, vintage hydrangeas, snap dragon, light light pink roses. Mom loved her flowers and we know she would have approved of these. The champagne and garden club ladies did! This arrangement in particular is from the champagne ladies!

Sad News

My Mom passed away on Thursday, June 4th at 5:58am. I hate dementia. She has had a tough go of lots of health issues over the years. She is finally at peace and with her brother and parents. But gosh we miss her deeply. ​My poor Dad! He was the best husband and caregiver to her. In sickness and in health they said! 

We are planning a nice service and after party. She wouldn't want us moping around. She'd say, "bring on the champagne and have a party" so we going to try to do that too to celebrate her precious life! 

This was a great evening at Oyster Rock! 

I'll be back but give me a week or two. She loved reading my blog and would want me to keep on keepin' on. Hug or call your Mama if she's still here.