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Strawberries, Summer Heat and Beer Fest

I was surprised no one was yelling at me to post pictures or update the blog lately. But it hasn't been that long. It just feels like it because we've been so busy this month. May has been a nice, long productive month. At the start, we went strawberry picking with our MOPS friends. It was a perfect day and I got some perfect pictures of Nathan. That week, Nathan and I started going to a little Tumbling Tots class run by Raleigh Parks & Recreation. There are tons of classes offered all the time and this one looked good - running around and bouncing the prerequisite? We're in! Nathan was very shy about it at first but warmed up with every week. Today is our last one. We'll have to pick something else in the coming months. It's nice to get him acquainted with other kids and having to listen to directions from someone other than me (yeah, like he listens). He's not really into 'circle time' yet but we're getting there.

That weekend we enjoyed a very full Saturday of yard sales and a street fair in Apex, as previously mentioned. The following week was full of playdates and a couple opportunities for me to get out on my own. Yay for me - I need more of those.

Last weekend we hosted the Beer Fest. I say 'the' beer fest because it's become a 'thing' with our group of friends. Instead of going to the ones that Raleigh and Durham have (which can be expensive and don't allow kids to run around) we had people here. Everyone brought a different type of beer, Leo got a million little cups to sample with and all our friends helped with food. It was a long day (2p to about midnight!) but we had a great time, once again ending the night with a little bonfire in the back yard.

During the week, Nathan and I joined our MOPS friends once again for another outing, this time to the NC Zoo. It's about an hour and a half from here but not bad when you have good company. We carpooled out there with friends and had a really nice time. It was hot as hell but seeing all those animals up close was pretty neat and worth being a little uncomfortable. I wonder how much Nathan really gets it - seeing real elephants and giraffes and monkeys. Either way, I was impressed by it and he had a good time running around with the other kids. We were both beat that night and even the day after.

But we still went to the pool in our neighborhood the next day. It's been hot all week and I think we picked the best day to swim. Nathan is really good about putting his swim vest on and staying close by. He loves the water, cold or not. I can dunk him no problem and he's kicking and learning to keep himself afloat. We didn't go much last year, but I think this summer we will be at the pool several days a week.

Between all of this activity we have been slowly constructing the playset. Grandpa Truck and Babci were kind enough to get one for Nathan for the backyard. Yipee! Well, kinda yipee. It came in a million pieces with two million screws. We had a standing structure in no time but it's coming together so slowly it feels like completion is a long way off. I make my way through the pieces though, one tiny step at a time. I'm hoping by the end of the month it will be complete. I think we have to unload Nathan for a day though - he's very fond of 'helping'. When it's all done and Nathan has something that swings, slides and occupies his time you will see a real yipee and yahoo!

Yesterday we did what we did at the start of the month, strawberry picking once again. We got way less berries and the kids had a little less fun - this heat is killer and it's only spring! But the farm has cows and goats and room for running around under the trees. Our fridge is filled with berries, watermelon and other goodies from the farm. Summer is around the corner and it feels like it in every way - the weather, food and activities. I think we're in for a fun few months ahead.

Happy Mothers Day

Happy Mothers Day to all my mommies and mommy friends. I know so many more mommies now that I am one, and I'm so grateful for that. There are so many great ones to know. But I won't go all sappy here, go to facebook if you want that.

It's been a nice Mothers Day so far. It kinda started yesterday when Mom and Ed tool Nathan for the rest of the afternoon and overnight. Leo and I drove home from Apex where we met up to enjoy Peak Fest (a great event if you live locally - go next year!), we decided on the fly what to do with the rest of the day. It was fun to think up things knowing we could do and all of it since Nathan was with his grandparents. Yipee! Of course we only had a few hours, not a few days. (Aahhh...there could be so much to do without a kid for several days!) So we took an impromptu trip to a local brewery for a quick beer (I love you Shotgun Betty) and then out for an early dinner. The rest of the night was not so adventurous but very relaxing as we got to actually sit without getting up every other minute for more milk or to clean up spilled milk.

This morning I got up early (but at my our leisure and not to the sound of a little boy banging on the door) and read a bit. Leo is making breakfast as we speak and I have a few more hours of quiet time before Nathan comes home. The silence is nice. But being with my boy later today be a wonderful gift today too. Can't wait to hug him.