Carowinds

This summer we are trying out a Carowinds season pass.  {Side Note:  I started getting season passes when I was about 6 years old and had them most years until about High School.  Carowinds has lots of memories for me.  Aaron & I haven't ever been together to regular Carowinds, but we did make it to Scarowinds once when we were dating.}  Nora is free (under 3) so it was only me that needed/got a pass.  It includes free parking and I got a good deal on it.  I figured it was worth a try, especially since Carowinds is pretty darn close to us.  It's about as close as any park.  My mom & step dad (Lala & Coppa Sieve) have passes so they went with us the first time.  Steve's granddaughter, Hannah, stayed for a visit one week so she showed us all around Carowinds.  We loved having her to play with.  

Of course I forgot something for our outing.  THE STROLLER!  This girl does not last long walking on her own so we broke down and rented one.  It stunk because they wouldn't give me a discount and we were only there for the last 2 hours of the day.  I did get a season pass discount though.  It was worth the money.  She always wanted to ride in it.

The first ride Nora went on was the carousel.  She freaked out on the horse but loved riding in the carriage.  Then, we went to this {SLOW} helicopter ride.  She loved it!  

Afterwards, we hit up the train ride.  It hasn't changed much in the last 20+ years other than you see Peanuts signs on the ride.

We watched Hannah ride the front seat of Lucy's Crabby Cab roller coaster.

The longest line we waited in was for these old timey cars.  Nora got to 'drive' me around.

Hannah wanted to get really wet before we left so she rode White Waterfalls no less than 4 times.  Once completely by herself!

Nora loves Lala & Grandpa Steve!  She also loves that Hannah came to visit.  Not only was Hannah was so good to play with her and help her with things...she also helped Grandpa Steve become a little more hip.  Check out his & Hannah's new kicks in the top left picture. =)

A couple weeks later we went back to Carowinds with Lala & Grandpa Steve.  I didn't get a picture of it, but Nora was brave enough to ride a non-moving horse on the carousel and loved it.  We also rode a couple of rides we didn't the first time.  Like the balloons.  They're pretty high and fast for a kiddie ride.

The 'yachts' were open this time!  She was all for it!

We've also managed to squeeze in a couple of days in the waterpark with friends.  We have friends (Paige &  Bryce) that also have Carowinds passes.  They have shown Nora how to really play in the waterpark. These kids get along so well because Bryce is so sweet.  They love splashing around in the kiddie pools, going down the kiddie slide, and floating in the lazy river.  Nora isn't a fan of the wave pool though...she doesn't like the lifejacket that's required in it.

Loving the treat Bryce brought her!

One day we even ventured to the rides after the waterpark.  Nora took her 3rd trip on the carousel and is now a moving-horse-fan!  Mission accomplished!

Bryce is tall enough for the swings!

Nora pointing out Bryce on the swings!

Needless to say, we are loving Carowinds!  They've done a good job of giving all the rides updates to keep them looking good and have so many new rides than the last time I went.  The teacher in me loves the lessons Nora learns there.  She is slowly learning how to wait in line, wait turns, and try new things.  She is surrounded by colors and shapes we can 'find'.  It's great.  Now I think every preschool child should get to go to Carowinds for a learning experience.  Haha.  We can't wait for the next time to go!

'Welcome to Summer' Party!

Schools out!  The teacher in me loves any school-related things, so Nora & I decided to have a party!  Ellie finished preschool & Hayley finished first grade so we HAD to celebrate!  I decided we'd have a 'Welcome to Summer' party.  We picked up the girls in the evening after Hayley's last day.  The best way for us to celebrate was to have the girls come spend the night & the rest of the kids come over the next day for more partying.  We celebrated in the car on the way to our house.  We had to get the party started right!  There is something kids love about party blowers.  They are so inexpensive but really get the party spirit cranked up.  =)

Hayley, Nora, & Ellie partying!

To welcome them to our house, I made a banner.  It said "Hayley & Ellie Welcome to Summer".  They got to run through it to get into the house.  (Thanks to Pinterest!)  Hayley enjoyed it.  Ellie chickened out before even getting out of the car.

We had pizza for dinner and then headed to Walmart to pick up some supplies we forgot for the big party.

Nora loves pizza...never turns it down!

After Uncle Aaron got home he helped us set up the fire pit to make s'mores.  They were delish!  We stayed up way too late and even squeezed a Netflix movie in.  (Well, only a few minutes for these girls.  They were very tired, but cannot give up Netflix.  It's one of their favorite things to do at our house.)  The girls love Aaron!  They came with a homemade card for him that made him melt.  It said: "to AAroN I Love AAroN I Love AAroN yes I do.  Yes I do AAron is for hugging AAron is for kissing I Love You I Love you PS. I Love The way you chrit {treat}me".  It was a song they read/sang to him.  Aren't they cute?

In the morning, we cleaned up all the toys & got ready for the party & our guests.  (The girls' brothers Tyler & Aiden and cousin Jacob.)  Once they got here we were ready for our water party.  I'd say that is the most official way to celebrate at a 'Welcome to Summer' party!  These kids could hardly stand the excitement of getting into the pool!  There was even a sprinkler that the boys loved dragging around the yard.  Nora's old life jacket came in handy for Jacob...just in case.  You can't be too careful with so many crazy kids & only 2 adults!

The weather was pleasant and nice.  At least for Rachael & I who weren't wet.  =)  After the excitement started wearing off, we played with our frozen eggs.  The girls helped me make these the night before.  They're a toy hidden in a balloon of water and frozen.  Everyone had fun breaking their eggs, melting them in the pool, or licking the ice (Jacob) to get to the toy.  (Another easy, fun idea from Pinterest!) 

Finally everyone was ready for lunch.  We had some mac 'n cheese & the kids ate it as quickly as possible.  I'm not sure if it was because they knew more fun was coming or because they were so hungry from playing.

Yes, Nora's naked!

Next up was fortune telling drinks.  (Pinterest again!)  Since our guests were pretty young, I said if your drinks change color you're going to have a good summer.  I guess everyone is going to have a good summer!  They loved seeing what color their Sprite would turn magically.  (Thanks to some dried food coloring in the bottom of their cup.)  Nora & I also stopped by our local treat store (Treetz) and picked up some sprinkled oreo pops.  They were a huge hit.  The girls were asking for them all morning!

Once all were full and happy, we enjoyed a Netflix movie and playing with Nora's toys.  It was a nice, quiet break.

Before the guests left, I sent them with a basket of summer goodies.  I'm sure I can't remember all the basket had...I know it had workbooks (gotta practice during the summer!), activity books, library activity schedule, applications for library cards, a bag for carrying library books, papers for summer reading programs at Barnes & Noble and Chuck E. Cheese, water guns/bucket for filling, poppers, gumballs (for during reading time), and a summer fun kit I printed off pluckymomo.com.  This picture is after it was shoveled through numerous times...it was a hit! =)

We all had a great time!  Within minutes of the Rachael's crew leaving...this was Nora.  Worn.  Out.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day weekend was busy for us!  On Friday, Nora & I watched Jacob.  She had lots of fun with him and they played well.  She loves having friends & family over to play with.

We made a trip to Fort Mill to Lala's house.  Jacob loved watching the chickens.

Friday was also the big day to pour Lala & Coppa Sieve's new concrete patio.  Nora & Jacob enjoyed watching the concrete truck and the action of finishing the pad.  Even though it was extremely hot outside they ran around happily playing in the rocks, grass, and garden.

Unfortunately, it was too late for a handstamp...

Picking radishes

Wild boy out in the wild!

Ready to start partying on Saturday!

Patriotic sunglasses & star wand

Playing in the sprinkler

Nora <3s Uncle Xan!

Nora <3s Tutu!

Xan brought us 6 hens that are Maximus McNugget & Chips' sisters.  Sadly, we decided to send Chip to the farm at PeePaw's house.  He's happy there now, but is the one rooster that comes up to people.  He did not like leaving Maximus.  They had been together since birth and only had each other since they were 3 & 5 days old.  He tried and tried to find a way out of the small cage to get back to Maximus.  It was sad.  We still miss him. 

New hens!

Bye Chip!

Nora dressed for the special weekend for church on Sunday.  It was the last time I think we could squeeze those darling red cowboy boots on!  Don't you love her sweet palmetto dress?

Hayley's a {7 Year Old} Rock Star!

Our niece Hayley turned 7 on May 24th .  We celebrated her birthday {a little early} on May 19th.  She wanted to have a swim party so we met at the complex (where Nora's pancakes & pajamas party was) to swim.  The kids loved it. There are 2 baby pools and a big pool and there was plenty of pool hopping between them all.  

After everyone was finished swimming (and quite hungry) we headed to Rachael's for lunch and the party.  Hayley thought she was having a polka dot party, but was surprised with a rock star party like she really wanted.

We had sandwiches with all the fixings, chips, & fruit.  Of course some toys were played with, cake was had, some tv was watched, & the girls found Aaron to cuddle up beside.  

Nora's favorite part was playing with her cousins.  Her second favorite part:  the microphone cupcakes Rachael made.

We had a great time celebrating Hayley's birthday!  We love her!