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Camellias & Copper

A Southern Girl's Blog About Life

Reynolds’ Birthday Fun!

by Filed Under: Being a Mom, Events 1 Comment

Oh my gracious!  What a fun birthday Reynolds had!!  It was nearly 3 weeks ago, but who’s counting!?  It’s taken me quite some time to get all of this together with the kiddos, work and all the other whathaveyous, so I’m sorry for the delay, but I think this will bring some joy to your beautiful eyes tonight!

I just want to say, if your birthday starts off with homemade chocolate chip waffles, made with immense love by your momma, it’s going to be a really incredible day.

The first sweet picture of my “Captain”…anybody else think he’s huge?  He’s huge.  44 inches tall, confirmed last Friday by his pediatrician, who looked at us and said, “So…he’s grown FIVE inches since his last check-up.”  Then smiled with this, “I really don’t know what to say.” look on his face.  HA!

The plan was for him to go to school for a half-day and then I would pick him up around 12:15 to go to the Zoo.  “Surprises” were in store for him as we let him know in the morning.  Mommy and Daddy had surprises for him, and we would let him know as they happened.

As I picked him up from school and helped him change from his camos into shorts I told him we were going to the zoo.  His sweet face lit up and then he said, “is sister going with us?”  I replied, “No….did you want sister to go with us?”  Secretly hoping his answer would be “no” so that he wouldn’t be disappointed…

“Yes!” he said, enthusiastically…

“Well…she’s not coming, baby.  Mommy planned for just you and me to go to the zoo and that way you can do whatever you want to do!”

Somehow that won him over and he was all smiles leaving school.

Kids and adults alike love to gaze at the lion..

His best tiger face.

I’m not kidding when I tell you that we stood here for 15 minutes watching those sweet sea lions swim in circles.  He asked me questions like “why can’t I go swim with them?” and “where do they sleep at night?”  It was wonderful.

The reptiles are my least favorite…I sort of have to stare at the dirty carpet as he searches for these fascinating creatures – are they on a branch, under a leaf, in the water…not my kind of hide and seek…

The shark led most of the kids to start singing “Baby Shark…”

We counted the Galapagos turtles I think eight times…just to be sure no one was trying to get away too quickly to hide..

I sent this picture out to a few friends with the caption, “Guess who is going to ride the pony on his birthday?!”  I was giddy with excitement and nervousness that he would get up to the platform and somehow change his mind.

I literally stood in shock and awe that he just put his foot in the stirrup and hoped right on that sweet pony.  I was completely amazed at how big he seemed…and was.

He was so happy, with his head bobbing up and down at the gait of this sweet animal.

I was nearly jumping up and down by the time he got off the pony and he had a massive smile on his sweet face.  Proud and excited all in one four-year-old’s body…it was beautiful!

Next up was the train, and in the three years we’ve had a membership to the zoo, this was my first time riding in the little train!  We had so much fun!

Oh, and if you notice the book “Farts in the Wild”…that was a gift we got for a friend. hahaha

Oh the carousel…we rode it twice…and the rhino was his favorite because he didn’t move up and down.

Because everybody needs a little ice cream on their birthday.

We went into the little bird sanctuary and he looks at me like, why don’t I have anything to give these birds, when all the other kids did.  So I stopped and looked at him like, are you for real not going to scream and run when they all attack you for your two ounces of nectar?  He said no…so we went out, back around to the front, paid the what ever dollar or two to get our nectar and back in we went.

This kid.  He just kept surprising me.  He held up his little cup and let them drink right from it.  Not the least bit scared.

Of course he kept a safe distance, and was in his flight stance…but it was all good.

Then we ran over to see the gorillas…because there’s a momma expecting any day.  And there was this sweet lady that kept saying (out loud), “that must be the pregnant one because she has the breasts.”  So that was fun.  And amusing.

After the zoo we went home for a little rest time and for daddy to bring Eliza Jane and Emory home.  Once they arrived, Daddy got to tell R his last birthday surprise….a night at the baseball field with the Fireflies and Tim Tebow.  You can’t see it, but on our row, there was a seat #15, which is Tim’s number, so of course that’s where he decided to sit.

We tried for a family selfie, is that called a famfie or something?  But you can see that someone is missing…

Oh wait, there’s Eliza Jane…and now you see why she was missing.  #breakdown.  Reynolds was not amused…

Eliza Jane pulled herself together and we got one of the guys behind us to take a family pic for us.

Great memories for a really fun birthday.

Hope y’all enjoyed his birthday as much as we did!  How do you celebrate birthdays in your home?

Thanks for reading this sweet post! xo,

A Night With The Princesses + Cinderella

by Filed Under: Being a Mom, Events, Life Leave a Comment

Last night was a night I hope not to forget for a long time.

Andrew got us tickets to the musical Cinderella, along with the additional ticket for the pre-party with Ariel, Elsa and Belle.

We were all so incredibly excited!

We had no idea ahead of time which princesses we were going to meet, but when Eliza Jane came around that little corner and saw that beautiful yellow gown…”My see BELLE!  Momma! My see Belle!!”  Her eyes and face were lit up with glee.

First we got to meet Ariel, and Eliza Jane was a little shy with her.

Then Elsa was next.

And then moment she’d been waiting for…a chance to hug Belle.

I have to say, I was really, REALLY proud of her for sitting and taking a picture with her!

After we met the princesses, they did a little etiquette class teaching us how to properly clap and say, “bravo”.

Side note, I didn’t have a safety pin with me so I had to use a bobby pin to hold her dress tighter…a new use for an old thing?

And then this is when Eliza Jane started crying because Cinderella wasn’t there and we’d built this up to be all about Cinderella and “other” princesses.   It was nearly a #momfail but we pulled it together and got excited again about the anticipation of seeing the most beautiful of all princesses.

I told it over and over again to my girlfriends today how great Eliza Jane did thru the play last night.  She sat on my lap, completely fixated on what was happening on the stage.  Turning her head just so, so that she could get the perfect view of “My Cin-rella”.  In those brief moments where Cinderella wasn’t on stage I heard, “My Cin-rella?  Where my Cin-rella?  Where my Cin-rella go?”  And I would have to reassure her that the princess would return.

During intermission we took a break to watch Curious George with a sweet little girl sitting next to us.  She told me she was four, and loved M&Ms.  She even shared a few with Eliza Jane.

I tried to get her to laugh or even smile…but this was the best she would do.  In my heart I knew she could make it through the second act, but I have to admit that I was a little nervous that a breakdown was just around the bend.

As the second act started, I said a little prayer that she would make it through to the end.  Throughout the play I told her how proud I was of her – that she was doing great and hoped she was having fun.  “Ummhmmm, my Cin-rella” was often her reply.

The play itself was fantastic.  It’s been since I was a little girl that I saw this version of it, and not much did I remember.  There was laughter and surprise!  The creative “magic” was truly wonderful to witness.

I’m pretty sure I was more excited than Eliza Jane last night.  The anticipation of seeing her face as she got to see princesses along with Cinderella nearly sent me over the moon.  By the end of the play I was slouched down in my seat, with her head on my chest, but so that she could still see her “Cin-rella”.   I imagined her loving it and I think she did.  She talked about it on the way home and was so sweet telling her daddy all about the princesses once we were there.  She even wanted to sleep in her princess dress, but we decided that there would be an overload of glitter in her bed if we said yes…

Today as I picked her up from daycare, her teacher said that they had called her Cinderella all day.  I’m not sure if that’s because she talked about the princess all day long or what.  But I sure hope she felt like a princess last night…

Hoping you have a wonderful evening…we’re half-way through the work week!

much love,

Most Memorable Birthday

by Filed Under: Events, Life Leave a Comment

I am officially four days late to the 2016 Blogtember Challenge this year!  Although, I’m late, I think I came in on the best day!

Today’s post-prompt is “Most Memorable Birthday” and mine was definitely my 30th.

2010 overall was a very good year.

I got braces…for the second time.

I had my 30th birthday, for which Andrew threw a surprise party for me.

Andrew proposed in April.

And we got married in November.

So 2010 as a whole was completely amazing…save the brace-face part.  But I had no idea three of the four things above were going to happen…

My most memorable birthday…Andrew had planned this whole thing out, and with a little help from Dana and other friends, he pulled it off greatly!

He rented out a space at Jillian’s for all of us to gather.   Somebody had a cake and cupcakes there for us all.  And the biggest surprise was that Andrew called in my college roommates – Ann and Allison, whom I love immensely.

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I’m pretty sure this ↑ is the picture of my face when I saw my Berry girls Ann and Allison.  They made the trek from 3 & 5 hours away to surprise me that night.

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I really don’t know why we crouched down next to a pool table for this photo…

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My sweet friend Jennifer…who takes way too many pictures of me and my family.

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More friends!!!

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Because I have no idea where this hat came from or to whom it belonged…but everyone needs a #duckface photo on their 30th birthday.

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I love these dear friends.

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I do remember that this chocolate cake was amazing.

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The man who pulled it off without a hitch and told me I was going on a double-date with Dana and DJ…

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There are few times in your life when you feel completely and utterly like the.most.special.person.  And this was certainly one of them.

 

Which birthday has been your most favorite?

10 Keys To Hosting A Summer Backyard Party In The South

by Filed Under: Events, Life, Outside, Party Ideas 1 Comment

Y’all read the title of this and you immediately thought of 3 things:

  1. flies.
  2. mosquitoes.
  3. heat.

Well, we had all three last Friday evening with our annual ‘Welcome Summer’ party!  Although, having had our yard sprayed recently for mosquitoes {I desperately want them all to DIE!! especially since I am pregnant!}, we still had a few.  And the flies.  THE FLIES.  Pesky little varmints they are!

Addressing the three “issues” above, first, here are my 10 keys, tidbits, for hosting a great summer backyard party…in the south:

  1. Use those collapsible mesh food tents – like these from World Market that I have!  They also make useful fly swatters while people are actually fixing their plates! :)
  2. Buy bug repellent and tell people you have it.   Poor R ended up with three bites on his forehead of all stinking places!!!
  3. We purchased a mister fan, but it didn’t arrive in time, so Andrew put up a misting hose along one corner of our home.  Thankfully, that wild storm that blew through here Friday afternoon {and it was wild!} took care of most of the heat, and left us with mid-80’s temps instead of the sweltering 97 we were slated for.   I asked a few people if we needed to turn the mister on, and they all said it was fine…so we didn’t even have to use it!  We also had lots of shade under the massive oak tree in our backyard and had a couple of areas set up for people to sit under said tree.
  4.  KIDS.  We had 21 kids RSVP’d on our guest list…the adults were nearly outnumbered!   Kidding…we would never let that happen!  But to entertain all these kids, we had a bounce house {with a slide}, and a smaller one that we own set up next to it, for the littles.  We also had the two swings in full use {my heart was filled with joy to see kids swirling around on the one Andrew just put up for us!}, a hammock, and of course yard toys like R’s grill set.
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  5. We also had corn hole set up for the big people – and it was in constant use.  I think a bag or two may have been swiped a few times from a little person seeking attention, but all in all, the bigs had as much fun as the littles!
  6. For the adults, it was BYOB.  Bring Your Own Beverage of choosing…That way, we didn’t have to please every people group, AND as many of you have done before, we weren’t left with 15 bottles of red wine that no one drank! We provided ice, cups, fun umbrella straws {which only my friend Najla used…}, sodas, bottled water and CapriSun Roaring Waters for the youngins!20160617_182929
  7. FOOD: We served Little Pigs’ barbeque, hot dogs, potato salad, coleslaw, cantaloupe and a large bowl of mixed berries and grapes.  Along with more bread than anyone could ever eat {Andrew, I love you!} – so if you need a roll or a hot dog bun for the next 2 weeks, let me know…we have lots of bread/buns left over!!!
  8. For dessert I thought about tubs of ice cream or little single-serve sundaes, but opted for the Popsicles instead – fruit flavored and fudge!  Most of the adults chose fudge…silly kids.
  9. Everything was disposable, save some of my serving dishes, and we kept a trashcan outside so people could easily find it.  My father-in-law got tasked a few times to dump and reload {what a great guy!}.
  10. Lights!!!  For when it gets dark outside.  Our party was scheduled to end by 9:30 p.m. so that we could all get some rest…and it was dark by then anyway.  We had lights up from last year and then I bought some fun “paper” lanterns in pink and orange that I hung from a couple of trees {I sure wish someone had a photo of me tossing my ball of twine up in the air hoping to score a branch at 6 a.m. Friday morning!}, and another area, along with stringing these lovelies {see photo below-below} under the inside of the umbrella I just got from World Market!20160617_173138Summer Party 13453413_10209317567792132_1243926800_o

That’s it!  Really…we go for the fun and relaxed sort of party/get-togethers and this one definitely was.  I heard several dads say that it was the most fun family party they’d been to – which made me really thankful and appreciative for the blessing of our home and the people we have in our lives!!

 

Party Prepping

by Filed Under: Events, Life, Party Ideas Leave a Comment

I have been a little MIA this week mainly due to the fact that Andrew and I have been party prepping.  We have been working really hard to get our yard and home ready for our annual ‘Welcome Summer Party’ that we are hosting tomorrow night.  Every year it seems like we have so much time until it gets here and then WHAM! it’s here.  And we’re looking at each other like, uh….

So the yard is ready, big thanks to our kids who spent several really warm evenings running around outside while we rearranged, cut grass, edged, and planted new flowers.  Tomorrow morning {when it’s not 98° outside!} I have a few lanterns to hang in various fun places and then minor things to put out tomorrow afternoon before the crowd gets here.

The house is nearly there also – I have been picking up toys and magnets {the death of me} for the last hour.  I’ve pulled out all the buckets, the plates, napkins, cups and other fun things like these umbrella straws I found at World Market this afternoon!  {in the middle of the picture below ↓}

Party Prepping

 

We are nearly there.

I’ll have a recap for y’all by Monday on all the fun.  Because there will be a lot of fun tomorrow night!

The key to a great party {in my very humble and inexperienced opinion} is don’t overdo it.  We catered food this year because last year was so great, so many people came, we literally ran out of food.  We also eat off of plastic plates, drink out of plastic cups {or whatever adult beverage container you bring} and use plastic flatware.  It’s casual here.  Kids run around like wild banshees all night long and it’s okay.  We rent a bounce house, we put out our corn hole game.  We set up the hammock and have casual areas for people to gather and fellowship.  It’s great.  Andrew and I wanted our home to be a fun place where people could come, fellowship with one another and not feel like things are fussed over.  {Just ignore me at 11 p.m. when I’m vacuuming and moping my floors…}

I’m thankful to have a place where we can open the doors and say, “Come on in, y’all!”

What’s your favorite annual party?

As May Comes To An End

by Filed Under: Being a Mom, Events, Faith, Life, Travel Leave a Comment

I am just amazed at how fast this month went by!  But thankful for all the memories we made this month!  Here are a few of the things I/we did.

Reading – I read through most the SRT study on Proverbs: The way of Wisdom, which was really fantastic.  This study was more of some brief readings, focused on one topic {anger, humility, pride, etc.}, with questions to follow.  That was some deep thinking for me at 5 a.m. while on the treadmill…

I also got to read several of my magazines on our trip to Disney {7 hrs in the car!}, which was a blessing to me because they were really starting to pile up again…

Playing – Same as April, we’ve played a lot outside this past month.  From the backyard to the playground, to the upstairs before bedtime, there are lots of laughs that make my heart rejoice!

Watching – We haven’t watched much of anything of late.  Sunday evening I was thrilled to have been able to sit on the couch after 9 p.m. to watch Caribbean Life.  That’s just a glimpse of my very interesting life…

Showing -This is a fun one….my baby bump is starting to show ;)

Cooking – I haven’t cooked a whole lot lately…but I just tore out some recipes from the May issue of Real Simple that I’m super pumped about…like this Perfect Chicken Salad {I ♥ chicken salad…a lot}

Eating – I am really trying to eat healthy so I don’t have another baby the size of Reynolds {9.5 lbs at birth}; Eliza Jane was only 6.5 lbs because I watched much more closely what I ate with her…so here’s to small portions of carbs :)

Drinking – Water…gone are the days of mimosas…

Calling – I haven’t called anybody in a while…honestly, the last couple of weeks have been super busy with getting ready for our trip and then being at Disney – it was wild.  I did call my mom on Sunday to let her know that no, we were not stuck in the flood on I-95, but that we were in fact home.

Texting – Andrew asked me if I wanted a milkshake from Chick-Fil-A, and while I answered “No. Thank u :)”, I really wanted one…

Tweeting – About our Disney trip – I was really hoping to find out who this girl was that got our kids to dance in the conga line!  She was completely amazing!Disney Character

Pinning – Food for the kiddos {WHY are they so PICKY?!} and hair styles.   I found this pretty little twisted side braid from one of my favorite bloggers, Gal Meets Glam and tried it out last night.  While my hands may have gotten a bit tricked up from going from the side to the back, I was quite pleased with my first ever real braid {I know, I’m so old to finally be learning how to braid!!!}.

Going – We are done with the going.  Disney was amazing and I am SO thankful and excited {still!} that we were able to go last week.  What a fantastic place, with my favorite people!

Our announcement about the 3rd set of ears that will be joining our family in November!

Our announcement about the 3rd set of ears that will be joining our family in November!  {The kids’ shirts were made by →Institches Designs←!!}

Loving – My babies and my husband.  I know,  y’all get tired of the gushing, but even after a week of really close quarters and a LOT of time spent together, I love them so much more!!

Hating – Summer heat?  Is that too strong?  Last week it was 90ish every day in Orlando and it was brutal.  What happened to Spring?

Thinking – About the fun we had in Disney!  I can’t wait to share the pictures and stories with you – starting tomorrow!

Feeling – Thankful.  I’m just so thankful.  The Lord has been so good.  I am also really excited about the little one we get to meet in November ♥ .

Hoping – That everybody sleeps tonight?  R’s legs were hurting him last night so that had Andrew up.  EJ was soaked at 3 a.m., so that was fun changing her out of FOOTIE pjs…hello!? Best and worst pjs ever, all at the same time.

Listening – I love to hear the birds singing on our nightly walks…and to share their rejoicing with the kids.  It is so easy just to go out for a run or walk, put in your earbuds or just tune everything out and miss so much.  The birds bring me great joy because I know they are singing the praises of their Maker.

Smelling – GAH.  I love my babies!  So friends that live down the street inherited some pretty amazing rose bushes.  And when we go for our walks, I’ve taught the kids to {literally} stop and smell the roses.

From tonight...

From tonight…

Celebrating – The blessing of pregnancy.  I do not take it for granted because I know how hard it is for some to have this experience.  I am overjoyed with thanksgiving.

Ordering – Today I ordered some new pjs from Carter’s for Eliza Jane {NO footies!!!} and a new duvet for our bed.  Turns out that new duvet cover I got from Pottery Barn is a California King…and the duvet I got from IKEA is only a King.  There is a slight difference in size…

I am also going to order a book of our Disney pictures so that the kids will have that to look at to remember all the wonderful things we did last week.  Other than Shutterfly, is there another recommendation from anyone?

Thanking – The Lord for His blessings.  Far too many things to count or name.

Considering – We have our annual Welcome Summer Party coming up and I’m trying to figure out the food situation.  Last year we did shrimp tacos {which were amazing, thank you, Andrew} but we ran out of food we had so many fun guests show up!  This year, we’re totally catering…I just have to figure out what.

Starting – Nesting.  Is it too soon?  I’ve decided to go one room at a time and clean up and out.  Out being the key word.  Andrew also has encouraged me to get help from a designer {I love him so much!} so more to come on that, but I’m excited about the possibilities!

Finishing – I feel like there is a lot that needs to be finished.  Right now though, I’m going to finish cleaning up the kitchen so I can go to bed.

 

Do you know, last week in the craziness of our trip to Disney, I got 8-9 hours of sleep EVERY night?!  It was amazing.  When we’re home, I’m lucky to get 7.  Tonight I am determined to get all 7 hours.  So good night, friends!  I hope you have something to rejoice over this May…it’s come to an end, and June will be here in the morning!

Once : The Musical

by Filed Under: Events, Life 2 Comments

Last night Andrew and I had the really great opportunity to see the musical Once.  It was fantastic.

First of all, we were on the third row, which meant before the show started and at intermission, we got to go on stage and have a drink {beer or wine} with the cast playing a “jam-session”.  It was so incredible, it was bizarre.Once 6

Dana and DJ went with us and while Dana was all giddy and “this is so great!”, I was standing there like, is this for real? Are we really on stage with these people as they’re doing their thing?  It was really fun.

So as we moved to our seats, the show slowly started.

I wasn’t prepared for how great it was going to be.  Sam, who plays the Guy, was beyond fantastic.  His voice was completely insane.  All of the music, all of it was beautiful and it drew you in. {There’s a link at the bottom of this post where you can hear a sample of the music!}Once 4Once 2

And somehow, at the end, I think I was the only one in tears.  It was so sweet, it was sad to me!  I’m not going to ruin it for anyone who hasn’t seen it.  And for my friends in Columbia, or anywhere on the tour-route {Charlotte friends, they’re coming to you on Friday!!}, you must go see the show {there’s another show tonight in Columbia}.  It really is soo good.  My only warning is that the f-word gets dropped several times.  The first few were startling, but then like Jersey Boys, it’s just part of the vocab.

I can’t say it enough…I wanted the show to go on.  It was wonderful.  I hope you can go see it.

For a snippet: Once National Tour 2016

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