Play Date

A couple weeks ago our good friends Barbara and Chris brought over their son Ian to play with Hayden and we all hung out and enjoyed the beautiful weather on the back porch.  I got the brilliant idea of entertaining the munchkins with bubbles while Chris (Lair) manned the camera.

All went beautifully...

...for awhile.  Hayden was thoroughly entertained, and Chris got some amazing pictures, but Ian was not so impressed with the bubbles... At least not when Miss Bonnie blew a bunch that the breeze carried right over into his little face.  Let's just say the fun got a bit overwhelming...

...and I've never felt like a bigger heel, making that sweet little boy cry.

But, all was soon forgiven.  We took the crazieness and festivities down a notch and headed inside to dig through Hayden's mountainous tub of toys, which both Ian and Hayden heartily approved of.

Hayden shows off her mad doodling skillz while Ian sports his bag mamma-jamma earthworm scarf (that his mommy made for him, from scratch!)

Pretty good fun for a lazy Monday holiday afternoon.

Wake Up Call

So, this morning, Chris and I awoke suddenly, staring at one another wide-eyed as we heard what our fuzzy brains could only register as a fire alarm of some sort... but a little more distant than one would expect, considering we have an alarm in our bedroom.

What could it be, we wondered? The security alarm? No, in the many, many times Chris or I have accidentally set it off since we got it, it never sounded like that. Not my car alarm...

"Oh, wait!" Chris says, suddenly alert. "It's your cooking timer, I bet!" I roll over and check the time - seven what in the morning? My cooking timer? Huh?

He dashes off to go check and the silence that shortly followed confirmed his guess.

It was then that my sleepy mind began to roll back far enough... some 13-odd hours back... to the night before when Hayden decided she wanted to play with the kitchen timer. Because it beeps. And, apparently, because that's a fun trick to play on your parents the ONE MORNING we are attempting to sleep in.

Really, though, it's not all her fault. I could blame the one who's idea it was to hand it to her when she kept leaning and grunting, reaching for it (mine), or blame the one who forgot to check to make sure the damned thing was actually off and not set for 13 hours and 23 minutes of cooking time (ahem. CHRIS?!?!?)

I'm not sure what the kid was cooking, but I'm guessing she wanted it well done.

Dutch Monkey

Yesterday morning, we woke up (way too early for what was supposed to be a lazy Sunday morning) (and yes, we were being heathens; we should have been headed to church, but instead we were on a mission. A mission to find the most amazing doughnuts in the world. Well, at least within an hour drive. We have our limits on an early Sunday morning. Especially after a way-too-late Saturday night. I'm not naming names, but that sleep loss could have been prevented, boys.) and met our friends Carrie and Joel (did you find the original start of this sentance after all those parenthetical comments? Good for you! You could probably keep up with me through most of my rambling real-time conversations. Otherwise, oh, look! A chicken!) and decided to head to the Cumming-ish area to find a particular doughnut-making legend,the Dutch Monkey. And find it we did.

Oh man, this is the coolest doughnut shop you've ever seen. Started by two amazing chefs, this place is hip, fun, and all about the food! With a huge glass display case that displays their fine wares, you can drool over their exotic creations such as "pineapple coconut lime cake", or "lemon meringue" (complete with toasted meringue atop the generous portion). There is a Boston Cream donut, a blueberry with cream cheese frosting (yum!), French Crullers that will make you cry "uncle" (which they didn't have yesterday morning. Boo.), Pomogranate Iced, and even a Maple Butter Bacon, fried with a delicious strip of bacon around it. Oh, and of course, their signature doughnut was the "Dutch Monkey" a banana-jam filled doughnut drizzled with chocolate icing.

We went, we saw, we stuffed ourselves silly. They should have big canteens of milk at each table to help you wash down all the gooey, wonderful sweetness. Hayden loved the bright colors of the place, the kiddie table, especially, watching them make the doughnuts through the Willy-Wonka-ish viewing ports along the kitchn, and most of all, enjoyed her first tastes of a real doughnut!

When we were thoroughly sated, we sat and talked and enjoyed each other's company as we plotted our next visit and choices for the next time. Maybe once a quarter would be enough to visit, we thougth. Otherwise, this place could do some serious damage to our waistlines. Well, maybe once a month, if we promised to be good, and only get one. (We each had to try two this time, just to check out as many flavors as possible). We let Hayden explore the kiddie area a bit, and she even met some of the other kids, including another Hayden, who was about 8 years old and was just thrilled to meet another girl named Hayden (they're apparently somewhat of a rare breed, we're finding).

What a great way to spend a lazy morning. Out with some of our best friends, eating doughnuts that rightly should be described as 'decadent pastries', and playing and laughing with Hayden. Of course, my absolute favorite part of the morning was getting to watch Joel's expressions at he ate. That man knows how to appreciate a good meal!

If you're ever in Cumming, may I highly recommend a stop in to the soon-t0-be-famous Dutch Monkey (and, in full disclosure, no this isn't a paid endorsement. I'm pretty sure these folks don't even know I exist. I just love a good doughnut!)

Saturday Mornings at our House

If you were to drop by our house unexpectedly, way too early on a Saturday morning (this isn't an invitation, by the way, you'd likely cause an anxiety attack from at least one member of the family. We love you and would love to see you, but please call. And give lots of warning.) this is the scene you would likely view upon entering.

Hayden rearranging her monsterous mound of toys about the living room, toting Bunny Bear, and listening to her Daddy play piano.

You'll get renditions of everything from "Fur Elise" to a ragtime ditty to "Lean on Me" in the span of just a few minutes. Whatever is tickling Chris's fancy that morning. His melodies often inspire Hayden to join in on her little piano (see her tucked behind Chris, pounding those ivories)

But then, the call of another toy will win her over, and she's off again...

I love these times. Really love them. Just hanging out, as a family, in our pj's, spending time together and hanging out.

Just a swingin'

Sunday night after dinner Chris and I decided a little stroll in the park would be fun. Over at the city duck pond, we pulled out the stroller and wheeled Haydie Pie around, watching the rednecks play. (No, not all our neighbors are rednecks. But the ones wearing tanktops with their combat boots throwing rocks at the ducks while laughing hysterically through their 'baccy-stained teeth most definitely fit that category).

The duck pond was in a pretty sad shape, all manner of visitors aside. Chris and I often visited the park while dating, and would spend evenings hand in hand walking along the water's edge, watching the fountain spray and listening to the ducks argue over breadcrumbs. In fact, I think it was at this park one night not long after we'd met that we had one of those soul-searching talks you have when you're dating about "what you want to do with your life." I might have said something about possibly wanting nine kids one day. This is a part of the conversation I have a hard time recalling, but I think the scar on Chris's head from where he passed out and hit his head on a rock when he heard the word "nine" , followed by "children" keep him from forgetting the moment. EVER.

Okay, so maybe there was no rock, and no scar, but to hear him tell it there may as well have been. In my defense, nine was way down from my initial plans of thirteen. And no, I wasn't trying to keep up with the Duggars or anything - I was sensible about it. I wanted to have 7 and adopt 6. That's not so bad, is it? Of course, those were many moons ago, before I had to worry about 7 labors, or 13 mouths to feed, or where to stick all the little squirts... I just always knew I wanted to be a mommy. It was only later that I figured out what a limited audience I wanted referring to me by that title. Ah, dreams...

So here we were, eight years after the summer we first started strolling together in that park, our little band having grown ever so slightly to a much more managable 3. Me, Chris and our little Haydie Pie. As we rounded the pond I remembered the new playground the city had installed there, and as it was utterly deserted, we decided it would be a perfect time for Hayden's first visit. The whole playground is built on a sandbox, so we let her sink her toes into the grainy goodness and trot (holding ever to my fingers) over to the swings. I wish the sand had been at least damp, where it could have captured the impressions of those pudgy feet stomping along, but it's Georgia. It never rains here. Until it does, that is. Then it won't stop. I digress.

So we plopped Haydie into one of the swings (as Chris attempted, rather unsuccessfully, to swing alongside her in one of the other kiddie swings) and gave her her first taste of the freedom and exhilaration of a swing. She LOVED it, and was absolutely content to swing in there as long as we kept pushing! Her little legs would occasionally pump with the swing, but quite often she'd break into her trademark pedaling, causing the swing to rock and bounce. I think it's safe to say it was the highlight of her day. I know it was mine.She even got up the nerve to go down the slide once or twice (with mommy and daddy's help, of course), but as Daddy said, I was pushing it there, so we just enjoyed the swings for a bit before the sun began to sink into the horizon, then packed it on up and headed home, our load just one sweet memory heavier than when we'd arrived.

Happy Fourth of July!

We celebrated the 4th this year by joining the Jasper city parade in our Hudson. The theme of the parade was "Everyday Heros in America", and our car really fit the bill, I think. It is 100 years old this year and is a great example of the pioneering spirit of early America and a testament to our forefathers' engineering ingenuity.

Hayden had a blast riding in my lap as I tossed candy and waved to the crowds and Chris honked for the kiddies. Our description of the car surprised the announcer when he read that this vintage machine could reach 50 mph! (We even have the speed marked on our speedometer to prove it!)

Throughout the parade, we heard people shouting "Hayden, Hayden!" and saw many friends and co-workers trying valiantly to get our wee one to look their way. Alas, she paid them no mind, sitting quietly in my lap the entire time. Of course, as we rounded the final turn, I discovered why Hayden was so patient along our route. She'd discovered a pack of Sweettarts and was hurridly trying to suck through the paper to get to the tangy candies inside. Thank goodness I figured her activities out before she was successful!

Yard Sale Scores

I have always loved the idea of a yard sale, but not being much of a morning person, I often sleep through the best deals.

Lately, I have managed to hook up with several great yard sales that have proved very fruitful. A co-worker's niece has a daughter a year older than Hayden, and she was selling all her baby clothes a couple weeks ago. I ended up buying almost all of them - they were nearly new, or in some cases, still new, and this woman has great taste! Score! I was so thrilled! With the cost of new clothes, I quickly got over the "new baby - new clothes" thing I'd had going in my head!

Last weekend, I found 4 amazing ladder-back chairs for our porch. All they need is a little paint, and they'll be perfect! Score!

Today, my mother in law called as I was getting ready for work to tell me that some friends of ours were having a yard sale, and they have a pile of kids between them, so I swung by and got a great stroller (and a toy stroller for Hayden to push), some other toys, and even more great clothes - score!! :)

I am SO psyched about the stroller! I can't wait for our next farmer's market excursion so Haydie and I can go wheeling around! Heck, we'll probably take a spin around the driveway tonight!

Farmer's Market

One of my favorite things about Summer in a small town is our local farmer's market. I love nothing more than waking up on a Saturday morning, throwing Little Bit in the car with me, and heading down to the park to see what wares are spread before us. Like magic, a rainbow of tents and umbrellas has bloomed overnight, and between their fluttering canvases drifts a sea of people, most of them friends, family, neighbors or acquaintances.

Little Bit is always a main attraction when we go (well, she is everywhere we go really), in her pink sunglasses and sporting her wild hair do'. Little old ladies and men alike ooh and ahh over her (it's especially cute to see these big, gruff farmer-types start cooing and waving at her!)
We're bound to run into someone we know, or someone who knows us, or just a friendly stranger out enjoying the glorious sunshine as well. I love the feeling of community, of Mayberry alive and well just beyond our doorstep, especially with all the craziness out there these days. This is a place we can go that hearkens back to simpler times, reminds us to slow down and enjoy the simple, homemade pleasures of life - juicy treats like fresh watermelon, crunchy greens, frozen sorbets, sunny daisies and crocheted kitchen towels that look like baby doll dresses (what? You don't have a place in your kitchen screaming for a baby-doll-dress-towel? How sad is that!).

And, joy of joys!, I just discovered that starting this Wednesday our Farmer's Market will have an afternoon session as well! I cannot wait to get Hayden from daycare and run out there to find some fixin's for dinner, and get our fix of small town Summertime for the day!

Steel Magnolias

Steel Magnolias is one of my all time favorite movies - probably my absolute favorite. I have watched it at least a hundred times, and can quote every line from heart. In college, we would watch it at least once a week, and Katie and I finally had to buy our house-mates a copy so they'd stop borrowing ours. When I bake wedding cakes, it's always on in the background - the armadillo cake as an inspiration, of course.

Friday night, while Chris was in the throes of preparing for the big Steam Day, Hayden and I found ourselves alone with not much to do. I got a wild hair and decided we should go see the play Steel Magnolias, that the movie was adapted from. It was playing in Tate, at the historic gym where Hayden's Grandma and Daddy played basketball when they were growing up. Jasper's own Tater Patch Players were performing, and an acquaintance of ours was playing Ouiser, so I was dying to see it.

The night was a first for both Hayden and I - our first play together, our first time seeing the TTP's perform, and our first time watching Steel Magnolias together, our first "girls' night out". Hayden was an absolute doll (of course!). She watched the play for a bit, had some dinner, and napped through most of the play. She never so much as made a peep! I am sure some of the people in line thought, "oh great, a baby!", and I want to make it clear that I am not, and hope to never be, one of those parents that doesn't understand when and where appropriate places for children are. If Hayden had lost her cool, we were positioned at the very back of the auditorium, poised for a quick exit. I knew my gal would be fine though, and she did splendidly! As usual, she even got a little audience of her own - everyone always loves looking at my 'living doll'.

For anyone that hasn't seen a Tater Patch play, I highly recommend it. It is a staple here in the North Georgia Mountains, and almost everyone has been in a performance or had children, nephews, nieces, brothers, sisters, mothers or fathers in a performance. They are working hard to raise the money to purchase a playhouse that will be a home for them finally, as they have been a bit of a gypsy troupe until now, always having to find a venue for performances. I hope they are able to buy the building and establish themselves there - I would love one day to see little Hayden up there playing a convincing Juliet Capulet, Anne Boleyn, or even Shelby Eatenton Latcherie!