Avocado. {365 - Day 78}

We picked the wrong day to go to the Carolina Raptor Center.  Grandma and Grandpa were still visiting, so we thought we'd run up there to show them one of our favorite attractions before they went home.  The clear sky turned gray and it started drizzling as we got there.  Boo.  Being the troopers we are, we decided to stay, braving the rain to see some amazing birds.  The downside of rain is that I didn't take out my fancy camera since it is not really happy about getting wet, so no pictures.  But while we were there, we bought a family membership so we'll return very soon.  If you haven't visited yet, add it to your list.  You can get up close and personal with a chatty raven, a creepy vulture, or a majestic bald eagle.  The center is a rehabilitation facility that releases 75% of their raptors back into the wild.  Those that cannot be released due to injury have a permanent home at the Center, helping to educate people about their breed and how humans can have a positive impact on their environment.


After the visit, the Grandparents headed home, and Sarah Beth headed off to dreamland for a nap.  We carried her off to bed and decided to take nap ourselves.  Our schedule, as a result, is all screwed up today.  SB woke up around 4:30 and had some avocado as her snack.

My guest photographer of the day, husband Kurt, took this shot.  We are crazy about avocados in this house and probably eat at least one per day.  Here she is enjoying her treat along with a shaker of cilantro for added flavor.

Canon 7D {365 - Day 78}

Due to the nap, Sarah Beth is still wide awake. Kurt and I haven't had dinner yet.  It's 9:30.  I'm hoping she gets sleepy soon and we can polish off the leftover corned beef and cabbage in front of the TV with a little wine.  Fingers crossed!

Hello St Patrick's Day {365 - Day 77}

I love St. Patrick's Day.  Maybe it's the red hair and the freckles.  Or that fact that my parents used to play Irish Music all week and talk in a fake Irish brogue and serve green eggs and green milk for breakfast every year.  Our tradition is to head downtown to the fabulous Charlotte St. Patrick's Day parade.  My parents joined us and so did Sarah Beth's friend Avery and his parents Ouida and Greg.  Sarah Beth adores Avery and talks about him all the time. Here he is.  Isn't he a cutie pie?  No wonder Sarah Beth has a little crush.

Day 77 {Canon 7D + Photoshop}

Avery is used to having a camera pointed in his direction all the time.  His Mommy is a fabulous photographer.

Avery's Mom gave Sarah Beth a tiny hat.  She wore it all.day.long.  She brought it into the bathtub with her tonight so she could wash it.  She loves to accessorize.

We finished off our wonderful day with home cooked Corned Beef and Cabbage (thanks Trader Joe's!)  Couldn't have been better.  Hope everyone else had a Happy Green Day!

Grandma. {365 - Day 76}

Grandma and Grandpa came to visit today for the weekend.  Sarah Beth is a huge fan.  We asked her if she wanted to go to the park this afternoon, and she said "No, Grandma and Grandpa are coming to our house" so she didn't want to leave and potentially miss their arrival.  She had a blast playing with them while Mommy and Daddy had a grown-up night on the town with friends.  She barely noticed we were gone.  Here she is inspecting Grandma's pretty necklace.


Day 76 {Canon 7D}

Lake. Big Lake. {365 - Day 75}

Today, in honor of our 4th anniversary, Kurt took the day off.  We started with a ridiculously delicious breakfast at Zada Jane's.  Sweet potato hash browns?  Yes, please.  Later in the afternoon as the temperature reached 83 degrees, we headed up to Latta Plantation to dip our toes in the lake. Sarah Beth is a water baby.  She does not hesitate in heading straight into the water before Mommy and Daddy can get their shoes off.

Needless to say, she got completely soaked.  When we finally convinced her to get out of the water, her little teeth started chattering so we pulled off her wet clothes off, and Kurt was going to carry her back to the car to rinse off and change.  She decided, however, that she wanted to run, so off she goes, our little streaker, running down the path towards the parking lot.  I wish I had my camera out for that moment, but she'll probably thank me in 10 years for not capturing that one on video.  :-)

Day 75 {Canon 7D + Photoshop}

Ask the Gnomes. {365 - Day 74}

Happy Pi Day, y'all!  If I remembered it was pi day, I'd have baked a pie.  Oh well.  Next year.  Just a quick post today to let you know that Spring is here in a big way.  Don't believe me?  Ask the gnomes.  Their potted home went from drab green to purple explosion practically overnight.  We are looking forward to the rest of the week, especially the St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday.  Get your green on!

Day 74 {Canon 7D + Photoshop}

Make up. {365 - Day 73}

I can not keep this girl out of my makeup bag.  Or my jewelry for that matter.  While I was getting ready this morning, she requested a necklace to accessorize her outfit. (see how she's working the boho chic look?  Very stylish for a 2.5 year old.)  After that, she helped herself to some eyeshadow, which ended up all over her face.  At least the pinky-purple matches her outfit.

Day 73 {Canon Elph + Photoshop}

Sand. {365 - Day 72}

Another beautiful day, another sandbox.  Today we were building castles and birthday cakes, which, incidentally, looked remarkably similar.


Day 72 {Canon Elph + Photoshop}