Friday's Trip To The Nature Museum

This past Friday we had a brand new adventure -- a trip to the Nature Museum. The Nature Museum, located close to Freedom Park in Charlotte, is owned by Discovery Place (which we are also big fans of). It's significantly smaller than Discovery Place, but it was easier to get to and the perfect way to spend a couple of hours with friends. 

Camille had the perfect little shirt and bloomer set that my mom made her ... butterflies, snails, and worms!

I think the part the girls enjoyed the most was the butterfly pavillion. They got to see all different colors of butterflies flying around and landing on the flowers. 

And my fearless daughter also got THISCLOSE to a bird.

(I think the bird was interested in that little piece of Goldfish stuck to her pinky)

And a skunk! A real live skunk ... behind glass, thank goodness. 

Other than this, the girls splashed at the water table, played with lots of fun nature-inspired toys, went down the slide, and saw a puppet show with a good life lesson about respecting nature. Both Camille and Gigi fell in love with this cute push toy. It's always fun to see what toys children gravitate towards when it's not at their home.

I would definitely recommend the Nature Museum as a great way to spend an hour or two with little ones! I know we will be back.

Saturday Sip + Shop

Sip:

Black Cherry Bourbon Cola Smash
Recipe HERE from Supergolden Bakes

Shop:



Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips
I'm ready for a little faux bronzing now that summer is coming to an end!
$7.99 and free shipping on Amazon

Five On Friday

It's time for another edition of Five on Friday and I do hope you'll join along!

Remember, all you have to do is post about five things on your mind, add our logo (found at the bottom of this post), and join the party using the linky tools below. Easy, and a great way to find new blogs and be found. :)

O N E
I am ready to step up my mug game. I love these choices I found from World Market, Anthropologie, and Urban Outfitters!

Clockwise, top left: 

I Woke Up Like This // Make It Happen // Hers 

Elephant // Cat Face // Love You Like Coffee

  

T W O
I saw these amazing looking Oreo bars (three ingredients ... basically an Oreo version of Rice Krispie treats!) on Ally's Five On Friday post last week, and I purchased my Oreos and marshmallows yesterday. Can't wait to whip up a batch for the weekend. Thanks Ally for the idea!

Recipe HERE

T H R E E
We had SUCH a fun time yesterday at Freedom Park with my friend Christina from Carolina Charm! Don't Caroline and Camille look thrilled?! Well, it was getting close to naptime (which is probably why Christina and I look ELATED). I was so happy to meet Thomas yesterday and just spend two hours talking non-stop with her. Thanks, sweet friend, for some good girlie time.

F O U R
So, I mentioned last Friday that I was on the hunt for a melon baller, and I wasn't sure whether going with a cheapie was a bad decision? WELL, I am here to report that cheap = perfectly good! I was in Bed Bath & Beyond this week picking up some marriage-savers, WHOOPS, I mean comforter clips, and I spied a melon baller for just over $2 there! I am happy to report that it is totally legit and worked so well on the melon salad I linked to last week (which is as delicious as I was hoping it would be). So, pick up a cheapie melon baller, and NOT that $20 one. Yikes.

(And PS, not really kidding about the comforter clips being marriage-savers. No more "you gave me the side with no comforter in the duvet!" gripes from either of us.)

F I V E
Just a mushy moment, thank you to all of you who link up with us each week. I enjoy popping in and reading your blogs, and it means so much to me that you share a little peek into your lives with me and everyone else!

TGIF y'all, and hope you will join in on Five on Friday this week! Cheers to the weekend!

A Few More Beach Photos

Last year as I fearfully shielded our 3-month old baby under the beach tent, freaking out internally, I had no idea how much FUN the beach would be a short year later. I couldn't resist sharing a few more photos from our Oak Island trip this past month. We had the best time and already are looking forward to a return trip next year!

I know, I know, LOTS of Camille photos, but with such a smiley happy beach baby, I couldn't help myself!

Letter For A Veteran In Hospice

Hopping in quickly today to let you know about an opportunity to take a minute or two for someone who has served our country and could use a little lift in spirits. My friend Sarah learned about this gentleman through her husband's Purple Heart chapter.

 

Mr. Strong is a homeless veteran that is dying in hospice in Asheville, NC's VA hospital. He has no family, and his final request was to be buried in his dress uniform. The Purple Heart chapter has donated the uniform - but the veteran is feeling very alone in his final days. We want to flood him with gratitude and thanks for his service (he lost a leg in Vietnam).

 

If you'd like to send a card or drawing, here's the info:

 

Mr. Robert Strong

VA hospital - Hospice

1100 Tunnel Road

Asheville, NC 28805 

 

A Great-Grandparents Visit

I scored big when it came to my grandparents-in-law. Sadly, I lost one set of grandparents when I was in middle school and the other set when I was in college. So early.

Meeting Ian's late father's mother and stepfather was a big turning point for me ... a time when I felt like I had loving grandparents in my life again. They love me like I was born into their family, and they ADORE Camille. 

Here are some photos from a recent visit they paid us from DC. They are in their 90s and still extremely active. They are not afraid to pack up the car and drive, drive, drive. They are an inspiration! We treasure these photos.