Strawberry Shortcake

We took a trip to the strawberry patch on Mother's Day. Carrington got a new nickname that day...Strawberry Shortcake! I can't even begin to tell you how much she loved picking strawberries. Shoes off, toes in the dirt, carrying the bucket from the very beginning until she couldn't pick it up because of all the strawberries, pulling with all her might to get the berries off the bush, putting her prize in the bucket, and greeting everyone that walked by...the girl loved every minute of being in the patch! This has been my favorite spring activity those far - even more fun than watching her at the beach. That's hard to beat but great memories were made that day.

After picking the berries, we let her enjoy the fruits of her labor (sorry, couldn't resist). The girl couldn't get enough!! Locals rave about the homemade ice cream offered at the patch. Aaron and I couldn't pass up the opportunity and both got a couple scoops in a waffle cone - it did not disappoint! We offered Carrington several licks but she wanted nothing to do with the ice cream, staying busy stuffing her face with berries and getting her outfit covered in juice. You know it's really good then!

Visit with MeMe & Peepaw

My parents visited Wilmington last weekend to watch Carrington while Aaron and I were on a little get-a-way to Ocean Isle Beach. We really enjoyed spending time with our bible study friends and having a relaxing break. Actually, I started and finished an entire book on Saturday. Amazing what you can accomplish without a little one at your feet. Carrington didn't miss us for a minute. She had a blast with her grandparents. She was spoiled rotten of course. My mom came clean and told me that Carrington got apple juice, Sprite, sweet tea, plenty of M's, and ate pasta for dinner each night. I'm sure Carrington wishes they came around more often!





It was also special to have my mom in town for Mother's Day! I can't wait for the next little girl (my sister's baby) to join our family and celebrate Mother's Day together next year.

18 months old

Carrington turned 18 months old on Monday. The trip to the doctors office for her check up turned out to be more eventful than the usual height/weight measurements, and shots. Carrington has entered the stage of being very bothered by the doctors office. She would not say hi to the doctor or nurse - just bye, bye over and over again. She didn't want to stand on the scale, lay on the table, and certainly didn't want the nurse or doctor to touch her. Cooperation was not a word in her vocabulary that morning. To add to the drama, I had to take her earrings out so the doctor could look at the holes - another of Carrington's least favorite things to do. Unfortunately, one of the holes is torn a little and infected. But wait, it doesn't stop there...the tube in her ear has fallen out and she has an ear infection,AGAIN! Aside from all that mess, she is still her happy-go-lucky self. By the way, she weighs 24.1 lbs and is 31 3/4 in. long.

I'm sure I say this every time but I love this age! My sweet child is an absolute joy to be around. She has the biggest personality, sweetest heart, and most precious laugh. She gets into everything, and I do mean EVERYTHING. She loves the word "no" and uses it to answer every question you ask her. She mimics our words, laughs out loud when we laugh out loud, and knows she is just too cute! She is constantly active whether it be with her movement or words. She keeps me on my toes, keeps me smiling, and keeps my heart joyful!

Spring

Spring has not only sprung but is in full speed at our house. I feel like we are busier than ever but still able to enjoy every minute! We have been living outside since the beginning of April - hence the reason I don't blog much anymore. I'm certain that given the choice, Carrington would be just fine sleeping outside on one of her many toys. My goal has been to create an outside toyland so that the majority of our day is spent in the fresh air. Its a struggle to talk Carrington into coming inside in the evening so I think we are getting pretty close to an outside-toy-wonderland! The first few pictures are of Carrington playing on her plastic slide, ball pint and tunnel. Carrington also has a wooden swing set in the yard. For some reason the pictures I took of her playing on it are not on my camera. I'll have to take more pictures and post about the story of purchasing, dissembling, and reassembling the swing set. It really deserves its own post anyway!

She uses her daddy as an indoor jungle gym!

Hip, hip, hooray...Beach season is back! We've gone to the beach a couple times as a family this year. The weather has been perfect and even more perfect...our 18 month old that loves the beach, sand, water and sun! She is a water baby at heart - running, splashing, up to her neck, falling face first and getting up laughing, this child LOVES the water!!!! Can you tell this brings a big smile to my face; seeing as how I spent my life in the water while growing up; all I wanted was for her to love the water too.

Glam girl! This picture was taken at a yard sale one morning. I was looking around and the next thing I know, Carrington has all these beads around her neck. Good thing I carry my camera in my purse. The beads stayed around her neck for the rest of the day and she still wears them almost everyday.

Two of my best girlfriends came to Wilmington with their kids at the end of April. It just so happened that the same week was Triple Coupons at Harris Teeter. The three of us love to coupon so we packed the kids up one more and went shopping for some great deals. I don't think Andrew was nearly as exited about shopping as Carrington and Giselle. I'm sure we would rather be anywhere but a grocery store (he is learning early)!

After our shopping trip we headed to the beach for some sun, sand, and sweet memories. The temperature that day was a little chilly and the wind was blowing pretty hard. The moms froze but it didn't even phase the kids.

Classic!

This is nothing compared to how far she went out. I thought I was going to lose my camera trying to keep her from going out above her head. Reminder...it was really cold that day but you would have thought it was 100 degrees. The water and air temperature didn't hold her back.

I left Carrington and Aaron in Wilmington and headed for Columbia, SC to see Taylor Swift in concert on April 30. I had a blast with my Aunt and cousins. Kelly is giving her best "Hollywood" pose in this picture!

Bee-u-ti-ful girls!

We had great seats and were about 20 rows back when Taylor sang in the middle of the crowd.

Miss Taylor Swift

Up close and personal

Carrington went to Hayden's (our neighbor) 3rd birthday party on May 1. The theme was an outdoor spring carnival.

May 3 marked Carrington turning 18 months. I'll have to leave that for another post but now you are up-to-date on what we did in April.