Spring Forward {365 - Day 71}

I love this time of year.  I will gladly trade an hour of precious sleep to gain an extra hour of wonderful afternoon sunshine.  After a leisurely breakfast of chocolate chip pancakes (yay husband!), Sarah Beth and I went off  in search of fun and adventure while Kurt headed out to do some video work.  What a glorious day!  Seeing half of Charlotte soaking in the sunshine at Freedom Park with their kids and dogs of all sizes just makes my heart happy.  We spent several hours on the playground, then walked by the pond, stopping for a little puppy love from a passing dog and for this picture.


Day 71 {Canon Elph + Photoshop}

The Miracle Plane {365 - Day 70}

Today we visited the Carolinas Aviation Museum for the first time.  It's tucked in right next to the Charlotte Airport.  If you scaled a fence you could literally run a football field's distance and be on the runway.  (Not to give anyone any ideas.) The hangar is filled with a variety of impressive planes and helicopters, but it is dominated by US Airways Flight 1549, the "Miracle on the Hudson" plane.  A former colleague of mine was on that flight so I have heard the stories firsthand, but it was not until I stood next to the plane could I truly appreciate what a miracle it was that everyone survived.  What is also amazing is that a ginormous aircraft can be taken down by a few unfortunate geese.  The plane was brought to Charlotte (where it was originally headed) last year for permanent display.  The wings are still unattached, but US Airways volunteers are preparing to reattach the wings in the near future.

Day 70 {Canon 7D}

This plane below was actually sold at Macy's.  Unbelievable what you could pick up at department stores back in the day!

Sarah Beth could not get enough of the planes.  She ran around saying "Big plane Mom!  C'mon take a picture!"  She got to sit in a cockpit and push some buttons.  A cockpit is a toddler's dream - nothing but knobs and levers and switches and buttons.  She loved it.

Oh, and Daddy loved it too.  Tell me he's not humming the theme song from "Top Gun" in his head at this moment.

After we left the museum, we drove around a little to see what we could see.  There were lots of fences and barbed wire but we managed to drive down a gravel road where this old hangar stood.

 
We took another road and ended up with a view of these huge National Guard planes on the runway.  No one came out to yell at us, so I guess it was ok that we were there, but we felt like we could make a wrong turn and end up right on the runway.

This was a great way to spend an afternoon.  I'd encourage everyone to visit, especially if you have kids.  Sarah Beth has been talking about helicopters and planes all day.  Future Pilot?  I think so.

Moose. {365 - Day 69}

This is Moose.  My slightly neurotic but sweet boy who has been with me for 11 years.  He may not be the smartest dog I've ever met, but look into his eyes and he's got this sad old-soulfulness that makes me believe there's more to him than just tail wags and sloppy dog licks.  He's getting up there in years, and I dread the day we won't have him with us any longer.  For now, we're enjoying all the time we have with our silly Moose dog.



Day 69 {Canon 7d + Photoshop}

Garden. {365 - Day 68}

If money was no object, my husband would quit the big city and move to a farm with goats and chickens and lots of land.  Unfortunately, it's not something we can do at the moment, so he satisfies his pastoral desires with a big box garden in the backyard.  This winter, he planted kale and fava beans.  (Side note: can anyone say fava beans without thinking of that line from Silence of the Lambs?  I can't.) 

The kale is ready for harvest, so I took a few photos of Sarah Beth in the garden before we ate our pretty plants.  This one turned out kind of dreamy in the afternoon light.  Makes me think that city living isn't so bad after all.


Day 68 {Canon 7D}

Quiet...too quiet. {365 - Day 67}

I've mentioned before that Sarah Beth has given up naps.  When she does, on occasion, doze off during the day, she will inevitably be up partying until midnight.  After lunch, I ran downstairs to the basement to do some laundry and check a few things on my computer.  SB was upstairs, voicing her displeasure at my absence.  Then, it got quiet.  Too quiet.  I went to check on her, and found her snoring away, halfway off her chair.

Day 67 {Canon Elph + photoshop}

After a few quick pictures (how could I resist?) Daddy picked her up and tucked her in bed to continue her nap. I am enjoying the quiet now, because I know it'll be a toddler party central at our house tonight.

Climb. {365 - Day 66}

We visit the same park a lot.  What's neat about that is how I can chart Sarah Beth's growth with playground milestones.  At first, she could barely make it up the stairs to the small slide.  Now, she's climbing up the "cargo net" with ease and zipping down the bigger slide.  Next, I'm sure she will be scaling the mini-rock wall to to the top level, shooting head first through the tunnel slide like the bigger kids.  It is unbelievable how quickly she is growing up.  I am so blessed to be with her every day to witness each moment.


Day 66 {Canon Elph + Photoshop}

Laundry. {365 - Day 65}

Monday.  Laundry day.  Well lately it seems every day is laundry day.  How can three people generate so much darn laundry anyway?  I was about to do a little folding and Sarah Beth proudly climbed onto the bed to "help."  Would you look at that smile and that crazy blonde hair?  Oh my goodness.

Day 65 {Canon 7D + Photoshop}