Boating Fun!

On Saturday, we were invited to join Walker's on their boat. What a fun day! Mom, Dad & Curt joined us as well. Curt, John & Chad worked their magic on the wakeboard & Dad & I were smart to use regular skis. After pulling around the lake a few times, we headed over to the Lake Wylie sand dune to swim, relax & have some snacks.

Elise & Kaylie have the same suit in different colors - pretty cute!


The girls were very concerned that everyone who was being pulled was "OK"

Noodles!~


This is how we all felt by the end of the afternoon - pretty pooped!

Happy Birthday, John!

John celebrated his 35th birthday on May 30th! Do you remember the show, "30-Something"? My girlfriend, Chrissie & I were discussing that we can't believe we're those 30-something people now....and John has definitely reached his mid-30's. We still feel young, and I guess that's what is important.
Elise was so excited about the DQ ice cream cake and she kept telling us it is her "favit."


Can you catch the excitement for this cake?


We had a relaxing weekend celebrating John's birthday. We hung up the hammock that we bought on our honeymoon in Mexico back in 1999 - and the silk is still as soft & beautiful as ever. Elise is enjoying this new "swing". We also spent an afternoon at Carowinds amusement park & enjoyed the lazy river, wave pool & funnel cakes. There's not much better than warm sun, water & fried batter...yum!

Playing with play dough is one of Elise's favorite "toys". Of course, she needs constant supervision, because I really don't want the colors all mashed together, so we carefully chose which color to cut out and play with, and then move on to the next one. I can usually tell that she's nearing the end when we're switching colors every 30 seconds....

Memorial Weekend 2009

We had a relaxing Memorial Weekend at home this year. We've discovered a little pond in the next neighborhood with ducks, ducklings & turtles. We counted 15 turtles who showed up to grab a snack. Elise loves to feed them & it was fun for us, too!


Maggie enjoyed going for a walk with us - but it was almost easier for me to put her in the wagon & just pull them along....too funny.
This clip also shows an evening around our table. I had to laugh, Elise is chatting up a storm & tries to repeat all the words we say lately - however, "blueberries" is one she's still working on...see the clip. Oh, it also includes the much beloved "Zebra Song"

We've had a full week here at the Brandenburg home! Last week we took Elise to the Pediatric dentist to have a regular check up for her front tooth that she chipped this Fall. Thank goodness we went in to have it checked, because the tooth had abscessed. I had noticed that she wasn't feeling well, but when they're so little, it's hard to know if it was just a cold. We got her on Penicillin & ibuprofen to keep her comfortable. Then, after a few visits for 2nd & 3rd opinions from pediatric dentists, we decided the best treatment was to just have the tooth pulled, or "wiggled." (This is what they call it at the office - very kid friendly).

She was such a trooper on Wednesday morning. She brought along her lion & I was able to go along with her for the whole treatment. We saw Dr. Savage here in Ballantyne, and he was great! It was a very quick process & he even made sure I was doing OK & was ready before he started.
After she was done, we got a brave patient award with a gift certificate for a free Jr. Frosty at Wendy's. Elise picked out a prize & then we got her Frosty & to the library to pick out some new books to read - of course, we even found one about Charley, Maisy & the Wobbly tooth - a great little book about visiting the dentist. She took a nap & it was amazing to see her when she woke up that afternoon. She was so happy, playful & really back to herself. I had no idea that she would feel better so soon.
Here's a big smile - after our visit to Dr. Savage. John and I feel like we have a different child. I think she had been feeling poorly for quite awhile, because she loves to play, her attention span is better, and she's more interested in eating.
We told her that she needed to save the tooth for the tooth fairy, and after she woke up, there would be some money waiting for her. Of course, she wanted the money right away to put in her piggy bank, but after some coaxing, she fell asleep with her tooth fairy bear & the tooth tucked neatly in the little pocket.
Here's a quick clip of her finding what the tooth fairy left for her.

Girls Weekend to Charleston

This past weekend I had the best time with my girlfriends in Charleston! We were a group of 6 & it was such a great change of pace to just wear the hat of "girlfriend" for the weekend. We were blessed and encouraged to attend the Women of Joy conference with great speakers, music & lots of fun. I came home feeling renewed. It's so nice to know that other women face the same struggles. The role as a wife & mom truly is a lot of hard work, but my joy and my rest comes from Christ. He is the one who can give true joy, and trying to find it through my husband, child, home or friends alone will never fully satisfy me.
We were able to enjoy some beach time at the Isle of Palms public beach. The water was cool, but the sun and sand were warm. It was perfect.
We enjoyed a wonderful meal at The Oak Steakhouse. Alexia had a crawfish on her plate - a little exotic.
Chrissie, Alexia, Angela, Teresa, Christa & myself. It was such a joy to spend the weekend with all of you!

Mother's Day

It was a beautiful, sunny, relaxing Mother's Day here in Charlotte.
John graced me with a yummy Waffle brunch after church with fresh strawberries, whipped cream, bacon, sausage & coffee. My mom, dad & Curt were also able to share in the scrumptious brunch. We spent Saturday afternoon with our friends, Chad, Michelle & Kaylie on their boat & after lots of fresh air the day before & full bellies we all took a great nap Sunday afternoon. There is a local strawberry farm only a few miles away from us, so Sunday afternoon, we ventured out to grab their weekend deal - $1/lb. Elise thoroughly enjoyed walking the rows of strawberries, picking and eating until her hands, legs, arms, shirt & skirt had red strawberry juice everywhere..the berries were oh so ripe! So - here's a few pictures from our pickin'. I was too busy relaxing earlier in the day, and so unfortunately, I don't even have any pictures from our brunch or dressed up for Mother's day... enjoy!

Growing up so fast!

Growing up so fast...

....and walking in heels already! :')

Sweet, precious, Elise at 23 months!
Elise & Kaylie have found so much enjoyment in passing mulch between the fence...
Playing frisbee in the backyard this past weekend. We've been having rain the last few days, which is much needed. Elise has also discovered umbrellas, and while stopping briefly at Wal-mart, she discovered a Dora umbrella just her size, and talks constantly about needing her "umbra." Each day is a discovery of something new, or making connections for her...what a fun age. Hard to believe she'll be turning 2 shortly.
Hope your week is going well!