4th of July Parade

So this was is it, my very first moment as a Mommy when I had to miss something REALLY important.  I've always found a way to get to Muffins for Mom, The Thanksgiving Feast, etc, but this year I just couldn't make Audrey's 4th of July Parade.  It was THE very last day of summer school.  Any other day and I would have taken off.  I was really heartbroken and felt like I failed her, but I also feel so lucky that James and Grammy got to go.  I was especially sad because Audrey has grown so much since last year's 4th of July parade.  Last year she wouldn't even look at us, or anyone for that matter.  She kept her head down and was near tears the entire time.  This year I got texts from James, my mom, and Katie that Audrey did awesome and loved being in the parade.  Here she is "leading" her group . . .

Making the rounds . . .

One of my most favorite pictures ever of Auds.  Katie sent me this pic of Audrey and Sara after the parade. They have a real friendship and real conversations.  It's amazing.  I love them both!

Hanging with friends and posing for pictures after the parade . . .

Being a working Mom is hard.  My mom told me that when she ran up to get Audrey's picture after the parade, Audrey immediately asked, "Where's Mama?"  My mom explained that I was at work but would see all of the pictures.  And when I picked Audrey up from school that day the very first words out of her mouth were, Mommy, please be at my parade next time.  Wow.  Heavy words from a 3 year old.  All I can do is look at the positive and know that she is ALWAYS surrounded by people who love her, even if Mommy isn't there.  Which I think will be a lesson that will serve her well in life.  She is a lucky girl and I hope she grows to appreciate our country and become an independent lady!

Some Days I Really Think I Could Do This Whole Stay at Mom Thing. . .

Day 1 of the "Real" Summer Vacation and I think I have a handle on this gig.

Dressed before Auds got up, check.

Load of laundry, check.

Many rounds of tea with Audrey and Cinderella, check.

AND I made a hot breakfast with fruit and she's ENJOYING it.  Now it's just toast with jelly, you know me, keeping it real.  ;)

*but it did help that Audrey slept til almost 8am which almost NEVER happens, and it's only 9am.  Check back with me in a few hours.  :)

Can We Please Get a Little Cool Air Up In Here?

Oh my goodness.  What a few weeks.  Last week our a/c went out.  We are renting right now, so I called my landlord and he got someone to come fix it.  Problem solved, right?  Well last Friday night after we were coming home from a lateish dinner for us after swim lessons with friends, we came home to our fire alarm beeping.  Now being a single woman who has only lived alone for a year now, I of course called my mom for help!!  She tried to change the batteries out, etc, to get it to stop beeping.  No dice.  So I called on my very nice neighbor, and very friendly older man who I figured could fix it.  Nope.  He tried everything, and eventually just disassembled it and told me he would e-mail my landlord the name of the electrician they had to use to fix their smoke alarm.  Great.  So hopefully we won't need that smoke alarm, because we haven't heard from that electrician!!

And then yesterday, the a/c went out.  AGAIN.  The day after we spent the all day in the sun swimming at Jack Carter Pool.  I was feeling like I had heat stroke.  Oh my goodness y'all, I felt so weak.  My good friend Hilary even offered to have Audrey come over to spend the night.  (And she has two kids under the age of 3!)  Greatest friend ever! I talked with my landlord and he said someone would be here this morning.  (Sunday)  So Auds and I ended up staying at my dad's house last night and are now home WAITING on the a/c guy.  Hello buddy, it's summer in TX.  We're HOT!!!  And I have a babysitter coming over this afternoon so I can grab a late lunch with some friends.  He BEST be finished by then.  I don't get out too often!  Wish us luck!  ;)

I'm a blogging fool now!

I may not get the pictures in the right order, but at least we're able to publish photos!

Here's Auds and her friends' Liam and Cade cheersing after a great afternoon at the pool!

 Playing at the pool . . . .

 Auds and her main man Cade . . .

We're fixed!!! :)

The blog is fixed, the blog is fixed!  I can blog again!  A huge thank you to my friend Katie for coming over and fixing it for me.  She also has a wonderful blog:  http://thebrittainbuzz.blogspot.com/

Audrey took swim lessons these past two weeks and it was AMAZING!  She took it with three of her friends with a private instructor, Ms. Kristy who is awesome.  I was a little apprehensive with how Auds would do, but she just jumped right in and was a little fish.  I am SO proud of her.

Waiting for lessons to start with Sara and Madi

Swimming on her stomach!

 Look at me!

 Splashing with friends.

This has been one of my favorite experiences with Audrey yet.  She really tried her hardest and listened and was just all around a rock star.  I can't wait to start swim team eventually, just like I did!!

Testing Again

Playing with Nixon and Daren!  :)

Testing Testing . . .