Trip to Ohio

Arabella, Max and I spent almost 2 weeks in Ohio visiting with Uncle Mike & Uncle Jeff. We decided to spend at least 10 days with them - Jay was out of town for most of the time we were gone, Arabella's school schedule will now limit our travel a bit and we wanted to just get away and relax a bit. It was a fun time. The weather was much cooler than we were used to and not as humid, it wasn't the August Ohio weather I remember when we lived there, but the change was welcome! Because of the weather, we didn't spend too much time at Uncle Mike's pool, but we still got out and enjoyed the area. Arabella was just happy to be with them. She loves spending time with them and Macy and Rocco. She is so good with the dogs and they just love her...they get a ton of extra dog treats when she visits! Max was great and started to try and crawl while we were in Ohio. We didn't do anything crazy, but it was nice just to spend time with family.

We had fun at the playground. Max and Uncle Mike explored the trees and leaves...Max loved it! Max had his first swing ride and also went down the slide for the first time with Arabella, although he wasn't too sure what to make of either one!

I love this picture of Uncle Mike and Arabella...I wonder what they are talking about...

Uncle Jeff is the Max whisperer...he can always get him to go to sleep! Max and Rocco got along just fine. And Rocco would act like Max was his baby and keep watch over him. Macy even got in on the action. Max was pretty nonchalant about it and just went with the flow.

One day when it was overcast and a bit drizzly, we went to an indoor play place. Not as nice as Zig Zag Zoo, but it worked. And surprisingly, it wasn't busy. Arabella had fun climbing about with Uncle Mike. Arabella and I had a ball fight in the ball pit. Max wasn't sure what to make of the ball pit. After we had enough of the play scape, we went and played some games. Arabella loved playing skee ball and was pretty good at it. We had a great time and it was a fun afternoon. She was so excited to win tickets and then pick out a prize before going home. The prizes were not the greatest, but they were good enough for a 5 year old.

We tried the pool one day, but didn't last long...the water was a bit chilly and the sun clouded over when we got to the pool!

We had such a great time. Here are a few more random shots that I took...

Open House

Yesterday, we went to Arabella's open house at school. This is where she actually received her teacher assignment and was able to see her classroom. She was so excited to go back to school and to show Jay and I around. She is going to do amazing! She checked out her classroom, was quick to find her name on her desk and cubby, and seems to like her teachers. I think her teachers are going to be great and the classroom is very bright and happy..a perfect place for her to continue on her knowledge journey.

Goodbye August

I can't believe that it is August 31st...where has this month gone, or better yet, where has this year gone?? We had typical Charlotte weather - hot, sunny, humid - today and so we spent it in the yard trying to keep cool and busy. Arabella was bored this morning and Max was up WAY to early so it was a low key day for us. We set up her slip-n-slide in the yard and she had a blast. Max even got to check it out. I am so lucky that both of them love the water!

Max enjoyed some watermelon to cool down and then we played a bit with a ball while Arabella cooled down in the water. She was so silly and giggly while we played, and you sure can tell he loves his sister. he watches her every move - every time she would run by, he would stop and look at her to see what she was doing.

And to close out August, Max decided he was big enough to get behind the wheel...the wheel of the Cozy Coupe that is. He loved it!

Max Is Really On The Move

My Wild Thing!!

Some of the best money spent this Summer was on drama camp for Arabella! It was a week long full day camp and she loved every second of it! I am already going to sign her up for it next Summer! She made new friends and was able to spend time with one of her TK teachers, Miss. Laura. There were only 4 kids total in the class but it was the perfect amount. It was nice to not have so many kids that it was crazy - they learned so much about performing arts - costumes, set design, songs and even their lines. She worked so hard and was super excited for us - and extra excited because Auntie was here - to come to her play at the end of the week. The performance was of "Where The Wild Things Are" - it was adorable! She was a "Wild Things" and she did amazing! She has a natural stage presence and such an animated personality that it really shined on stage! I am so proud of you Arabella! You did a AMAZING job. We loved watching you and seeing your hard work pay off! You are my Wild Thing!

The kids helped to design the sets! They looked just like the illustrations in the book.

They even got to sign the wall!! Just like true actors!

Arabella and Miss. Laura