Life After Party - A Family Trip.

Life post-party was hard.

I've always had a major clean-up after every event but, with the crazy late night, the impromptu sleepover, the mom-in-law staying the week following and life in general, I couldn't seem to catch-up.

I've cleaned the family room but, in the spirit of keeping it real, I still haven't picked up all of the party decor items in the basement.  Goodness, maybe this weekend we'll take care of it but... eh, whatevs.

I was still playing catch-up when Mommy reminded me of the trip to Georgia in celebration of PawPaw's 80th birthday.  We planned to leave Thursday night, arrive Friday morning and leave Sunday [early]afternoon to return Sunday night.  We have a very ritualistic approach to our visit to Columbus, GA. It typically consists of sitting in each family member's home sharing a meal with some ladies-only shopping sprinkled between house visits.  I wanted to shake it up by researching and trying some activities.

Rustic Wedding - The Intro.

Whata Gwon, Islanders?

Don't go playing crazy, you know what it means.  We've talked about 'whata gwon' a kajillion times as recently as here.

Anyhoo, do you recall the rustic wedding I first mentioned here?  The on-trend barn wedding that we've all seen all over Pinterest?  I found the perfect venue for my bride's vision and budget, The Barn at Aspen Grove:

And then they decided to build an entirely NEW facility for receptions!

Yes, you pay for a venue and months before your date, they announce they will perform some renovations to the facility and landscape.  A few weeks after the initial announcement, you receive an email that says the RECEPTION venue is well underway.  I'm sure you can imagine the panic.  As a matter of fact, my initial post spoke to the panic.  Well, I shared a sneak peak of images (here) so you know all went well day-of.

Now that it's over, I can share the level of panic when we showed up just two weeks before our wedding and saw the old barn was now for the bridal party:

Bridal Suite

Groomsmen suite

The old reception space had become living space for the owners:

Islanders, brace yourself.  What you are about to see is what we saw exactly two weeks from our wedding date:

Recharged.

It was a busy but awesome weekend. Friday, we celebrated Ms Judy's, the mom-in-law, birthday with a family night:

We watched a movie, enjoyed pizza and sipped good wine.  It was a nice chill evening.

Whata Gwan?! The Wrap-Up.

Islanders,

Whata gwan!  Don't act like you don't know what it means, we've had a number of quick lessons (most recently here).

I'm really busy this week - celebrating Hubbs' birthday (May 27), Daddy's birthday (yesterday, May 28), preparing for the Minecraft birthday party this Saturday and recovering from the weekend's activities.

 

What activities, you ask?

 

Hubbs announced this past weekend would be full of cookouts; he wanted to welcome the warm weather with open arms and burnt hot dogs, lol.

 

Friday, we had a couples' night with friends Vick and Amber.  The guys played video games while the girls sipped wine in the kitchen.  DJ Amber had me wiggling to Beyoncé well into the wee hours of the morning; it was a LOT of fun!

 

 

Saturday, I headed for a morning at the spa/salon (facial, waxing, mani/pedi) while Munch went to the pool with her BFF, Jada.  We both got home and got pretty for a cookout in Maryland at one of my Dad's close friend's homes.

 

Farewell Summer

This past week has been nuts.  Between a stomach virus, a busy wedding weekend and work picking up for an upcoming event, LIFE has been crazy.

 

We bid summer a bittersweet farewell right before school started.  Now that it's officially fall, I felt it was appropriate to share the photos of our formal farewell to summer.

 

Enjoy!

 

The song she sang while waiting to see her X-rays.

 

Munchface said bye to the crush, Ravi, with a friendly game of tag:

 

 

 

 

Grandma Judy came and we enjoyed breakfast at Cracker Barrel:

 

 

 

 

We also played a little laser tag:

 

 

Her laser tag "warrior" name was Z-Money.  IDK, don't ask.

 

 

 

 

She spent a LOT of time rocking her little babies to sleep:

 

 

That Sunday, I opened my home for Devona's Tupperware party and, IDK how, but I'll be hosting my own party soon so look out for an invite :)

 

 

 

 

We also had one final sleepover with Chazity and I got my hair done :)

 

 

AND THAT WAS JUST THE LAST WEEKEND BEFORE SCHOOL! 

 

This has been an eventful few months for our little family!

 

Not to mention the back-to-school prep:

 

 

The Sunshine & Lemonade birthday prep:

 

 

Painting and working in my mom's mom cave:

 

 

Updating the dining room:

 

 

The awkward baby shower moment:

 

 

The Georgia Trip:

 

 

With summer officially gone, we are knee-deep in second grade and cheerleading.  Yes, WE are cheering.  I'm no longer air cheering on the sides, I coach.  I know... because I needed something else to add to the to-do list, right?! :)

 

Look, if I'm going to have to sit at the practices for 2 hours, I might as well put my skillzzzz to use, right?!  Plus, the girls just look so cute in their uniforms and are really working hard for competition.

 

GO PANTHERS!

 

 

Happy it's-officially-pumpkin-spice Fall, ya'll!

 

3 Tears for Second Grade!

Hey, Islanders!

 

You may recall, in one of the back-to-school fashion posts, that I fell head-over-heels for the classic pink and navy color combo.  Remember my inspiration boards? 

 

 

Feel free to check them out here and here!

 

Well, during our tax-free weekend shopping, we hit up Crazy8 to purchase the outfit:

 

I snagged the top for full price and the shoes were on sale for $14.  The cropped pants, however, were a minor issue for us.  I purchased them for full price ($25??!!!) and thought we were done.  See, Hubbs had to work so Munch and I hit the streets for deals.  Don't worry, we followed my rules for back-to-school shopping (here); we were SO ready.  Later that evening, it was time to present our purchases to Hubbs.  I was surprised that he was less-than impressed... with the prices, that is.  He packed up what he thought we could find for a better deal, cropped pants included, and we headed to TJMaxx.  Would you believe we found  the perfect skinny jeans in the exact same coral color for $9.99?!  Even with the tax-free discount, that is a MUCH better deal.

 

The man was right.

...and, Islanders, THAT doesn't happen often.

 

If you're interested, Crazy8 is having a sale - everything is $12.99!!!  Check out their website for some cute clothes :)

 

Now, I'm sure you saw most of the pics in the Wordless Wednesday post but I am just SO pleased with how adorable and comfortable Munch was in her outfit that I must share one more shot:

 

We also got the zebra book and lunch bags she chose from Pottery Barn:

 

 

Munchface started second grade confident in her brain power, ready to face new challenges and excited to meet new friends.  I know what you're thinking and, yes, I did shed three itty-bitty tears. 

 

O, stop!!

 

Not because I was that sad but because she's so small... and watching her get on the big ol' bus headed to another new school where she didn't know anyone for the third year in a row and-- UGH.

 

In her own little way, she's just so brave and I-- I.  I called the man and I let my three itty-bitty tears fall.

 

CUT ME SOME SLACK!

 

Three itty-bitty tears are better than the Kindergarten whirlwind cry-your-eyeballs-out teary hot-messness, right?!

 

You can read more about that here.

RIGHT!

 

Munch had a successful first day of second grade and we are excited to experience our new school in our new neighborhood.  What the heck, new clothes just sweetened the deal :)

 

Hello September

Hello, September!

Islanders, I hope you are enjoying time with your family and thanking God for those who sacrifice their freedom so we can enjoy ours.

 

 

Today, we will take it easy around these parts.  After all, it's officially a SCHOOL night.  We met Munch's teacher and just-about have the routine down for tomorrow.  I'll post pics but goodness!! This has been an eventful summer.

Can I just tell you?!

 

 

Let me start by saying I love Munch's summer camp.  This is our second year and they do an amazing job!  It's educational, entertaining and full of fun!  Munchface has, however, had some painful experiences this year...

1. Munch was playing at the top of the slide platform.  She reached for the fireman pole and her foot slipped causing her to fall (all of her weight).  She landed on the corner of the platform... on her lady parts.  I received a call that I needed to come check her out because the staff could not check that area.  I ran over to the school and, Islanders, let me just tell you, there is NOTHING that could prepare me to deal with that kind of injury on my Munchface. 

I mean, what mother is prepared for that?

Yes, there were cuts.  No, she didn't need stitches.  But GOODNESS, I'm scarred for life.

2.  She had an "accident."  As in #1-ed on herself.  As in, we're 6.  How does that happen?  UGH.

3.  The day after the "accident" (8/27/2013), Munch BROKE her thumb playing soccer.  Another camper kicked the ball and it hit her right thumb.  We went to get the cast and, when the doctor informed us that the break will not require a cast, Munch had the nerve to get upset.  Like, really upset.

Like, are-you-seriously-pouting-up-in-this-doctor's-office-right-now upset.

The doctor put a splint on her hand and we left the office.  By the time we made it to the car, she was crying... When I asked why, this is what I got between sniffles:

"I was gonna have people sign it... It was gonna be orange, mommy.  ORANGE."

Really?!

The next day, she further explained that Ms. Melissa said she'd sign her orange cast and now, she'd be disappointed.

REALLY?!  I mean, seriously.  REALLY?!

How about we remain grateful that you didn't break your WRITING hand.  How about we remain grateful that our cheerleading isn't going to be cancelled because of it?

*ROLLING MY EYES*

Needless to say, I am ready for second grade.  I won't be crying. I won't be emotional. I won't be anything but relieved.  Yes, RELIEVED that she will decrease her odds of mishaps like this for now.

Free printable from here!

See you tomorrow with the annual first day school photos :)

WW: Learning to Sweep with Painter's Tape

Wordless Wednesdays