Easter Egg Hunt and Easter Week

It may be officially Spring, but it sure doesn't feel like it around here.

Temps dropped into the 20's overnight this weekend and we celebrated a high of 50 both Saturday and Sunday.

Even so, we tried to make the most of it as we enter Easter week.

This year, we did the hunt at Historic Rosedale again.

It's small, simple, and short.

Not to mention the grounds make for decent photos.

 I'm all into having my friend here in town make Shelby monogrammed shirts for the different holiday occasions.

This shirt wasn't meant for a turtleneck, but we made do.

 There's no way she would have sat with the Easter bunny alone.

This is as good as it gets!!

 Then, the hunt begins!

 She was a lot more into it this year, even though the older kids snatched up most of them.

She still walked away with about 10, and they were empty.

Daddy was helping Shelby count up her loot!!

 Instead of stuffing eggs this year, the plantation home decided to give each kid a goodie bag with candy and other treats.

Works for me!

 They also had a lady there making bunny crowns for all the kids.

This would be such a fun thing to have at a birthday party!

 Adorable or what??

 Fun times!

Just like last year, we went up to Brad's parents house after the hunt where Shelby got all her fun Easter goodies from Grammy and we were able to spend the rest of the weekend with them.

 We spent the afternoon at Morgan Ridge Vineyards near my in-laws house where they were having a big birthday celebration for one of the owners.

They had live music, the entire placed decked out and it was packed!

 Shelby danced he heart out to the band, we entertained her with a little Play Doh fun, and more.

 It was such a great afternoon!

 Today we got up early and headed home because I wasn't feeling great.

Allergy + sinuses = No good for me.

I went to the Urgent Care and got some med, then took Shelby out for some afternoon fun.

FroYo!

 And, a 'touch a truck' event.

It was nearly over by the time we go there, but something to do nonetheless.

 Brad went out on the boat with a friend so it was just the two of us.

 Now, I'm ready for bed.

Big week for me, as I travel to Dallas until Thursday evening. 

Then, it's onward to my parents.

So, that likely means, this might be my only post this week.

If so, HAPPY EASTER!!

Working Mom

I wrote this post(click here) a couple of years ago before I had Shelby and I still stand by it.

I truly enjoy being a working Mom and I'm proud to say that.

I know, there are many of you stay at home moms, that feel the same way.

As most of you know, I'm a TV/Video Producer and have been in broadcasting my entire career.

What you might not know is that I originally wanted to be in front of the camera!

That's right, having been a pageant girl and with my love of writing, I knew I was destined to be a TV news reporter.

That was, until I did an internship in college at the local ABC affiliate(who I later worked full-time for).

I was assigned to go out with a photojournalist to cover a car accident that we had heard about over the scanner.

All I can say is...

UGH.

It was towards the end of the work day and it was a mom who had left the grocery store with her 3 children.

I sat there and watched them all be cut out of the SUV while the photojournalist shot video of it.

We went back to the station and I couldn't get those images out of my mind.

As the day and days ahead passed by, you would have thought I knew the family.

I dreamed about them, thought about them non-stop, even tried to find out their status at the hospital.

That's when I knew I wasn't cut out to be in front of the camera.

To make a long story short, I decided to become a producer, who basically, tells those reporters to go and cover stories like that and even worse.

But, it's different not having to see it first hand.

You know it's really happened but being back in the newsroom writing about it is very different.

The whole point of this post, is that now that I'm out of news, and in 'bank' TV, I do get the chance to be in front of the camera more than I ever thought.

Including this week, where I got to play the 'customer' role for a training video.

Generally, they hire actors, but I was asked to do it for this video.

Different but fun!

I've actually done this several time and it makes for a long day, but it's fun.

I feel so lucky to have such a great job that is something I truly love to do.

It also makes it even better that I am able to work in a place that is flexible and great for working parents.

I pray daily that I'm setting a good example for Shelby by keeping my career and doing what I love.

How about you?

Thoughts on working outside the home?

Weekend in Pictures...

We laid low this weekend here in town.

I was gone last weekend then we're gone the next 2 weekends so it was/is needed.

Friday nights are pretty boring around here. 

We cook dinner, watch a movie, have a cocktail... but this week Shelby got a big surprise from her Daddy!

He hand crafted a stool for her! Monogram and all!!!

He was so proud of himself for burning her name into the wood.

So am I!!

She loves her stools, that's for sure.....

 Saturday morning Shelby went to her first 'real deal' birthday party with kids her age.

It was held at a bounce house place near our house, which was also, a first for her.

To say she loved it, was an understatement!!

I know it sounds so dumb to those of you who have multiple kids, but seeing her at this little party was about the cutest thing ever.

She does this at school all the time, but this is the first time I've seen her outside of that doing it.

Seriously, melted my heart seeing how big she is getting!!

 Fraser turned 3 and his Mom and Dad, Jamie and Allison, did a fabulous job!

 Shelby had a blast!!

 After the party we went home and freshened up, from sweating at the bounce houses, and met friends at Old Mecklenburg Brewery since it was such a nice day outside.

Check out how cute these two are together.

It's our neighbor's little boy, Ayden.

Shelby adores him!

 Breweries at the new thing here in Charlotte and they've made them so family friendly.

It's fun for us, because it gives us a place to meet up with friends and their kids and still have food and a beer or two!

 We even ran into one of Shelby's classmates and her family!!

 Our weekend ended with dinner at home with my cousin Alayna and her husband then Sunday we ran errands, then went to the Charlotte airport overlook for the first time.

Shelby enjoyed seeing the planes take off and land.

Now I'm getting in full-out Easter mood, if the weather would just cooperate this weekend!

They're talking about a high of 55 on Saturday! 

YUCK!!

Thursday's Musings..

 Happy Thursday!

The weather is dreary, overcast, cold and rainy here in Charlotte today.

I worked from home today because Shelby stayed home sick from school.

Runny nose, fever, cough... it's going around.

I'm hoping she's feeling better and back at school tomorrow.

So, since I have a little extra time, I've decided to put a hodge podge post together with pictures from the past week.

Believe it or not, this past weekend was our first road trip since right after Thanksgiving.

Since then Shelby received a pair of Minnie Mouse headphones, and we finally busted them out.

She loved them!

We have a DVD player in our car, but our rules are, that it is only turned on for long road trips.

There's no need for her to watch TV just cruising around town.

Shelby is still all about the baby dolls.

My Mom found a bunch of my old doll clothes and got them out for Shelby.

I was shocked that they fit the Bitty Baby perfect!

 The weather was super nice earlier this week.

I'm talking 80's Sunday through Tuesday.

Today, the high was 48.

With that we took full advantage of the sunshine and warmth.

We went for walks and even enjoyed an impromptu picnic.

 On our way home from my parents I bought Shelby her first milkshake ever.

The shamrock shake was always a favorite of mine growing up.

Shelby kept saying, 'it's good in my tummy!'

She only drank 1/2 of it, then gave up.

The sign said this sucker had 660 calories in it!

WOWZERS!

 With Shelby being sick today, she spent a majority of the day watching movies, while I went through email, sat on calls, etc.

But, we did get a break or two to do a few things around the house, one being converting the tree in her room from St. Patrick's Day to Easter!

This is the last conversion, then this sucker is going up until Christmas.

Someone asked if I was going to do a Halloween tree, but honestly, we just aren't Halloween people.

Not judging those who are...

Anyway, Easter tree conversion in full force!!

 WAH-LAH!!

 My Mom bought most of the items.

I think it turned out perfect.

What do you think??

 The rest of our sick day was a little cleaning...

And, some dress up!

I'm ready for the weekend and for tonight.

My LSU Tigers are playing in the tournament!!

Happy Friday Eve!