our fourth

In the grand scheme of things, our Fourth of July kind of rocked.

We thought about driving into the city for fireworks and such but ex-nayed that as crowds and toddlers don't usually mix. Mr. P wanted to stick close to home and avoid that whole cluster so we decided to just grill out at the lake with the bff and her kids and let the kids swim before cleaning up and watching the fireworks here in town. Perfect plan.

We spent the morning unpacking (it will NEVER be done) and cleaning while BG played. After naps for the two kiddos of the house (never the Mom), we packed up and headed over to J's to swim for a bit.

The kids had a BLAST. There was the bickering which always occurs when you put two girls together (BG will probably stay an only child, because oh my stars the bickering), but overall, they had a blast.

As has been the norm this entire summer, the fun was rained out all too quickly and we literally had to grab everything and sprint as the clouds all too soon opened up and the daily downpour commenced.

*SIDENOTE: what is UP with the weather this year? Wettest summer ever.*

Once it cleared up again, we packed up the goods for lunch and headed down to the lake where J and I quickly found a spot to lay while the kids played and Mr. P grilled. Should have been perfection.

And it was. But we're Moms and all too soon the kids were over letting us do nothing and were throwing things in the lake and talking our ears off. We wouldn't trade them for the world though. ;)

After lunch, we let them play down at the lake for a bit before we hustled everyone back to the house for showers before getting ready to see the fireworks.

Only it poured again. So laying at the pool watching the show didn't happen. Because they canceled it. Boo.

We trekked down to the lake again where we found a couple of guys setting off fireworks of their own. We found a bench and curled up together and watched as they attempted a show of some sort that really was not going well. The kids were losing interest about five minutes in when the guys messed up and shot the fireworks backwards; directly at us.

Obviously we're okay but it was kind of scary and my poor child is now completely TERRIFIED of fireworks and has told us every night since that she's good on fireworks and is okay if they never go off again.

Fun.

But all in all? a day spent with friends and family, good food and cold drinks? Total win. Hope you all enjoyed your holiday as well.

birthdays in may.

So this past weekend was EPIC.

We packed up and headed about 3 1/2 hours west back over to Anderson for BG's little bff's third birthday party. We were all stoked that we were able to make it and could not wait to get over there and see old friends. Both of BG's school buddies were going to be there along with Miss Brittany (pretty much BG's favorite person ever) and her little one, MK.

BG was beyond excited to go and the ride there actually flew by as she chatted about all the fun she was fixing to have. And fun was definitely had.
These three didn't miss a beat. They were immediately three peas in a pod again and couldn't stay away from each other as they ran, played with jewelry, read books, and did whatever other activities they could pack in their short time together.

I'm not going to lie; it hurt my heart a little bit to go back. While it's so great to see old friends and to keep that connection, it becomes very evident that life goes on without you once you leave. New friendships are formed, others are strengthened. It's a good thing for sure, but it leaves you feeling a bit like an outsider. At one point I met eyes with Mr. P across the room and I could tell he felt it too. BG also walked off by herself for a minute and I'm sure she was overwhelmed at being around so many people that she doesn't see daily anymore. It's just an odd feeling.

But the odd feeling passed and we quickly soaked in our last few minutes of the girls being together and of time with our friends. It was way too short a visit :(

After we left, we headed about two hours north to celebrate my best friend's 30th birthday with her in Charlotte. Mr. P and BG tagged along and rented a hotel room for the evening where they indulged in room service and movies while we had a grand 'ol girls' night downtown.

We girls might have had a bit too much fun. We were all moving pretty slow the next morning, but it was worth it. I adore my friends. They are absolutely insane but I love them.

I'm grateful for these friendships. I'm also grateful birthdays only come once a year. This girl can't hang.

"me and my best friend."

This past weekend while we were in Savannah for this trip, we snuck in a bit of time before we left to go over to KK's house for a belated Christmas with our bffs.

We actually had enough time to just sit around the house and let the girls play for a while while K, Mr. P, and I chatted and caught up on life a bit. It was perfection. The girls had a blast and I caught myself choking up as I watched them ride motorized cars around the house knowing all too soon those cars won't be motorized. They are just so fun at this age. Gah, some days I just want to bottle this up.

But enough chatter, pictures?
Mr. P watching tv with the scariest doll ever.
I'm so thankful for this friendship. For friends that grow through life with you. For friends who love your kid like you do and spoil her with her first Barbie doll ever.

I'm especially thankful for a friendship that never skips a beat. That every time we get together with these girls, it's easy and comfortable. I'm so thankful for best friends like that.

a heart so full moment.

Last night one of my nearest and dearest friends was in town for some work stuff. We quickly decided that we were going to make a night of it and have one of our old school sleepovers that we were so fond of in high school.

We did however, skip the all night fashion show we had when we were fifteen. Having to work the next morning will kill that buzz. Oh grown up stuff...

Anyways, after hanging out at the house for a bit, we headed off for a girls' night of good pizza and fantastic beer in town. It was just what the doctor ordered. We had an absolute blast. We caught up on so much and spent the evening in hysterics as we reminisced and swapped stories of our kiddos.

At one point I received a text from Mr. P with a video of the little. As I watched it with one of my oldest friends next to me, my heart was close to bursting with just how fantastic my life is and how lucky I am that I have these people in my life.

We headed home after that where we managed to kill a bottle of wine and stay up a bit too late chatting. But it was totally worth it. Even if I did almost fall asleep at my desk this morning. Oops.

our anderson christmas

This past weekend, BG and I went down to Anderson for a weekend with our best friends.

Other than almost losing her at a rest station and the endless "are we there yet??" questions, the trip down was actually pretty uneventful. We met up with Stacy and Zo at the mall in Greenville to just look around some before heading on down to Anderson.

BG and I got there first and perused the kids' clothing section for a bit while we waited on the girls. We also avoided the Santa hanging out in the department like the plague. That was fun.

When they showed up and the two littles locked eyes, it was over. They both gave each other shy smiles and then it was like no time had even passed. They giggled, they chased each other, they wrestled around the mall play place. It was fantastic.

We had to separate them for the drive back to Anderson and I basically had to swear on my life to BG that they would be back together soon. They were not okay with being apart again. Thank goodness we had a weekend of fun planned for them.

S and her husband planned a little cookout for that night so we got to see a few more old friends and have a few laughs over drinks and football before we girls decided to pack up the kiddos and head into town to check out the Lights of Hope. We drove through twice as the kiddos "oohed" and "aahed" over every single light and we girls managed to continue to catch up over the squeals of joy and the sounds of Christmas music on the radio. It was fantastic.

After the second loop through the lights, we decided to park and check out Santa's Village. Based on the girls' reaction to Santa at the mall earlier that day (they were fine to wave from afar but there would be NO lap sitting apparently), I was a bit nervous to see how this Santa trip would go. I needn't have worried.

Zo wanted zero to do with him, but BG? BG loved him. And even though she had an accident in my perfectly planned out Christmas outfit before even leaving the house, leaving her in a less than "Christmasey" outfit, I had to oblige her getting to sit with him. And then I had to oblige my "Mom needs every picture ever" and had to buy one. Because duh. And also because that smile. Duh.

After letting the kids run out a bit of their rambunctiousness in Santa's Village, we packed it back up and headed home. S and I did everything we could to get the girls calm and ready for bed, but it was all for naught. They weren't having it. They were too, too excited to be together.

They wanted to sleep together, but that was a hot mess of disaster that we finally had to split up when Zo's crying was frustrating BG so bad that she tried to make it stop with a pillow. True story. They got separated.

Finally, they hit the hay and S and I got some much needed catch up time over a couple of bottles of wine. It was good for my soul. I so miss my friend.

Way too few hours later, the girls were up. And raring to go. S and Zo spoiled us and BG had a few presents to open that morning. Ms. Stacy knows my girl. You can't fake that kind of smile.

That afternoon, we all packed up and headed downtown for the annual Christmas parade. BG and I have been to this parade every year she's been alive and I was so thrilled we were able to make it this year. This year was also the best one yet as most of BG's favorite people (family not included) were there. She was literally giddy with excitement when she laid eyes on "Miss Bitme" and MK.

The parade was amazing. BG and Zo danced and clapped and had an absolute blast. They managed to climb into Britt's lap for a good portion of the show leaving her almost immobile with a lap full of babies, but they weren't stepping more than two inches from her. They sure do love that lady.

We had an absolute blast. I was so sad when the parade was over.

But Britt had another surprise in store. She took us to one of the town's spas that was holding an "afterparty" of sorts full of cupcakes and face painting and yep, even Santa! MK and BG climbed up their together, but once again, Zo was not having it. No Santa picture for that girl this year!

After cupcakes, we made our way to the face painting where B managed to convince BG that she needed a reindeer on her face. Since my child pretty much adores Britt, that didn't take too much convincing. So she climbed right on up. Only the lady didn't do a tiny, little reindeer on her cheek like we were expecting. Oh no. The lady painted my sweet girl's entire face into a reindeer (or a Cats cast member, you be the judge), and while we adults were absolutely crying with laughter, my sweet girl sat as still as a stone while she got her face painted for "Miss Bitme".

Seriously. Sometimes this child is so sweet I can literally feel my heart aching.

When it was done, she took off to go show Britt how it looked. She was a little proud I would say.

I'm telling you, if you manage to find friends that love your children as you do, you are beyond blessed. Mr. P and I? we are beyond blessed in that department.

All too soon, it was time to wrap it up. The last thing I wanted to do was get in that car and drive away from that town. From these people.

Coming home to Mr. P was amazing, but I'd be lying if a little piece of my heart isn't back with these people in Anderson.

And clearly so is BG's. When I picked her up from school the next day, I asked her how her day was and if she liked her class.

She responded "yep" to which I said "Oh good! So you want to go back to school tomorrow?".

To which she responded "I'll go back to school tomorrow. But it's going to be Miss Bitme's school".

Ouch. Sigh.

Guess we'll be putting another trip on the calendar soon.

the spirit of friendship

This time of year makes me all sorts of sentimental. The other night, I had a Facebook conversation going with two of my best friends and I was in hysterics over what was being said. As soon as I signed off, it hit me; that pang of just plain missing someone.

I have amazing friends. AMAZING. We've been through so much together and we've made it to the other side. I've noticed that the older I get, the less amount of true friends I have, but the more genuine those friendships are. And I'll take quality over quantity any day.

There is absolutely nothing better than time spent with good friends. I adore my family, but sometimes I think they see me too much as "Mom" or "wife" and not enough as "Megan". And while I love being wife and Mom, I was Megan for 22 years without being those two titles. That hat, just plain Megan, deserves it's fair share of time too and no one makes me feel like "Megan" better than my girls.

continue reading....

pumpkin patch: trip 1

So it's November and I'm still blogging about October. Typical.

Last month, was such a blast. Even though we are in a new town, we've made it a point to get out and check things out and to find lots of activities that BG would enjoy. And we found tons of things to do. Like I said, last month was a blast.

Right after moving here, I got pretty dang lucky and got to meet up with Whitney and her little one. Needless to say, BG and I adored them and couldn't wait til we could hang out again. They're just awesome sauce.

We became fast friends and luckily the girls get along well too, so we've managed to get together quite a bit. When Whitney invited us out to the pumpkin patch with the two of them and their play group, we jumped at the chance.

Hang out with them? Cool. Meet other Moms in a town where I know no one? Ummm... yes please.

So we went. And we had a total blast.

We went on a "hay ride" out to the pumpkin patch, which was way picked over, but the kids loved it and that's all that matters.

There were still a few pumpkins left though and they were just the right size for the kiddos.
BG thoroughly enjoyed running around like a crazy person but wasn't quite as fond of picking up the pumpkins. For a child as active as she is, she sure hates to get her hands dirty.
After the kiddos had picked out a pumpkin for each of them, it was back on the wagon and back to the front of the farm where the kids were allowed to hit up the games. BG quickly found the cow train and was less than impressed that it wasn't running.
So she took off to join everyone else on the bounce thing and the crazy fast slides.

I spent most of the rest of the afternoon just trying to keep up with my crazy kid.
She was less than impressed that I kept making her stop for five seconds to take a picture. Hard life.
Of course after all that play we had to refuel with ice-cream.
We had an absolute blast.

Need proof?
This was my view not even five minutes down the road. And that? never happens.

We are so thankful for new friends in this town. So thanks Whitney and L for inviting us!!