Addie's First Clemson Game of the Year

Tommy and I were so excited because the Wake Forest game was supposed to be low 70's and sunny - a far cry from every other home game so far this season (of which she and I have stayed home). Well, it was hardly 70's and sunny - more like 40's and rainy. But, we tredged on, and hoped for the best.

Well, it didn't fare so well for us. We just couldn't expect Addie to sit out in that kind of weather for an entire football game. So, we did the next best thing, and stayed in TD's to watch the game. By halftime though, Addie had gotten restless, so we shopped for the second half, which we also loved! Addie's MawMaw had also had enough sitting through rainy games this season, so she was able to stay with us too. Nice for me as well - I needed her help!

Addie getting her paw - check out these facial expressions!

This is BY FAR my favorite!

And enjoying our lunch and game watching at TD's (please excuse both my outfit - there is nothing cute for that kind of weather, and my open mouth!) (And rest assured, Addie Kate had on a few outfits! Not just one thin one!)

A close-up of my girl! Check out those gorgeous eyes! (And yes, that is paint in her ear! And on her sweater, and shirt, and arm...)

And dancing to the Tiger Rag!

TOUCHDOWN!!!

While waiting on the guys to come back, Addie Kate had an absolute blast playing in the back of the car. This girl cracks me up! Luckily, we always have a ton of toys with us, including extra for this day!

(These are her "cheese" faces!)

Sesame Street Live

We were so excited to go see Sesame Street Live a few weeks ago! We had planned to take Addie Kate to a show in December, but Tommy came home from a Clemson game saying that Littlejohn was having Sesame Street Live there in October! I'm not sure if we (the parents) were more excited than the kids or not, but we sure acted that way!

Being leary of Addie Kate's fear of people in costumes, we bought mid-level seats. Next time, we'll have to do front row! She did great!

In the entrance to Littlejohn, Chick-fil-A, Papa Johns, and Dunkin' Donuts all had their mascots out greeting the kids and handing out coupons. As soon as we walked in, AK freaked! I was terrified of what the night would bring. But, she warmed up and actually went to see the cow, pizza, and donut!

When the show started, Addie Kate jumped right into my arms. That fear didn't last long though. She stayed in my lap, but she loved it! About halfway through the first half, she and Cody were dancing in the aisle and loving it!

It was a priceless evening and we definitely plan to go again!

Loving some Ancheaux before the show:

Mommy and her girl!

The whole fam:

My girl just chilling before it started!

And now mesmerized because it started:

One of the few prohibited pictures that we took:

In awe:

Doing the "Itsy Bitsy Spider" - this was our FAVORITE part!

This is what she does for "washed the spider out!"

Getting a little sleepy... but won't give it up of course!

Look!

And my AK dancing!

A super happy girl (and Daddy) on the walk back to the car!

Happy 2nd Birthday to My Sweet Angel Baby!

Happy Birth-Day: 10.22.07, 9:21 AM

Happy First Birthday, 10.22.08
Night before 2nd birthday: 10.21.09

My dearest Addie girl,

Oh, you are two. And I believe it more and more every day! You have acted like you were two since you were about 18 months old. You are trying your hardest to grow up too fast! I'm so glad that you catch on to everything so fast and that you have new skills and things to do, but I wish you'd slow down the growing up!

You have taught me SO much my sweet girl. Since becoming pregnant with you, I have truly become a changed person. It is no secret that I have always been quite uptight, but now that I have you, I take time to "smell the roses." I guess I'm too afraid of missing a moment with you and never getting it back again, that I drop it all, for you my girl!

I no longer sweat the small stuff. All I have to do is look at you and know how fortunate I am, and all that small stuff just goes on by! This, I know for sure, is a gift, from God, and was given to me through you.

You have taught me how to play again! For some reason, many adults forget that life is fun! Not with you around! You make it ALL fun, my girl!

Ever since you were born, I have always said that you never cease to amaze me. That is proven more and more each day. Here are some things that you can do now:

- sing every word of "Jesus Loves Me," "Happy Birthday," "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" and a few other songs.
- you know all of your ABC's, can recognize them all in upper case and most in lower case.
- you can tell me something(s) that start with every letter of the alphabet ("Z" for zebra, etc.)
- you can almost count to 20! That blows me away!
- you are the most compassionate, encouraging, and caring child I have ever met at your age.
- you love to sing and dance (I'm SO excited about this!) (Just this week in Kindermusik, I was swinging you while singing/listening to "My Bonny Lies Over the Ocean." I couldn't see you. The director came over to me and asked me, "Do you know she's singing?" And you aren't even one of the older kids there!)

You can turn the gray-est day into the happiest in a matter of moments. Your happiness and love is contagious. Everyone around you feels it and I pray that that kind of happiness continues to radiate through you throughout your life.

Addie girl, I am sure one day, as you are writing a letter to your two-year old, you will then know how much I love you. At least I pray that you will. I love you so much, and my heart is so full, it feels as if it will burst. Unfortunately, I think it takes something big, like motherhood, to make you realize that kind of love and that someone has that kind of love for you.

I pray that you are always as happy as you are now. I pray that your daddy and I do everything we can to teach you how to continue to be a respectful, kind, sharing, courteous, giving, and happy person. I pray that you always know what is important in life and keep it in perspective. I pray that you keep God as your center and your focus, and that everything falls into place because of that. And most of all, I pray that you know how very happy you have made me.

My dear sweet girl, happy 2nd birthday. I can't wait to celebrate many, many, many more with you.

I love you with all my heart and soul!

Mommy

While Daddy's Away....

Addie will play,

Mommy will not clean up the house,

We will eat out for every meal,

We will relax and play together and not worry about a thing!

Tommy had to go to Vegas a few weeks ago (I know, bless his heart.). On the last night, after I put Addie to bed, I decided I better clean up before he got home. This was what I was facing - and this was only the living room!

Her new love is coloring in coloring books! Luckily, I'm a teacher and have an endless supply of bulletin board paper to cover all destroyable surfaces! She's also loving changing all of her babies diapers - hence the diaper changing materials in the middle of the floor!

I never get sick of this...

She loves to put them on top her head, just like Mommy!

Addie Kate put on my glasses the other day. I was, of course, laughing at her. She looked at me and said, "N0 - Hollywood!" She was upset with me because I wasn't calling her "Hollywood" like we always do when she wears "da-kes." Such a mess, and I love it!

JellyBeans Haircut

I took Addie Kate to get her second haircut at this children's salon, JellyBeans. I have to be honest - I lied and told them it was her first haircut, because then it only cost me a penny! She didn't need much taken off - it just was looking a little unkempt, which drives me insane. I strictly instructed the stylist to just trim that top layer of hair. She followed my directions well!

I thought she would love it - they have cars or animals that kids can sit on instead of the typical chair, but for whatever reason, she freaked out about that and chose to sit in the chair! That was after the stylist gave her a toy, which she loved.

She did great, just like before. She wasn't a fan of the blowdryer. Thankfully, that's not something we have to use regularly (yet).

She did love waiting for her haircut. That place has more toys than I've ever seen. They also have a chalkboard wall - which is on my list to do for her for her next playroom. They have the V-Smile video game systems, and since it wasn't mine or my television, I let her go for it! Then, an older kid came up and asked her (politely, not that it mattered) if she'd quit so he could play it. I told her, not him, that she was fine and she could continue playing (no, she was not actually playing it correctly, but I didn't see where that mattered). Then he came up and asked me if she actually knew how to play. I told him that that was how she learned. I guess he finally figured out that I was a teacher and meant business and he left!

She didn't get her balloon or jellybeans when it was over - I guess because I really wasn't a paying customer. I was fine by that, since she didn't actually see or know that everyone else got them. I did think it was a nice touch though.

I doubt we'll be going back - I'd just rather my stylist cut her hair, that way I know it's going to be cute! I do recommend it for anyone else though!
Below are a few pictures of her while there:

(The V-Smile that caused me to bust out my teacher-voice in public!)

She kept saying "I write Addie!"

The toy that made it all better!

Getting a little frustrated!

And trying to get away from that blowdryer!

One happy little stinker! (And Mommy!)

Sky Top Apple Orchard

(I smocked this, Mom put it together!)

I've been wanting to go to Sky Top ever since I was pregnant with Addie Kate. Apparently, everyone in Greenville goes to Sky Top in the fall. I just didn't know that not growing up here, but I do know why now! It was absolutely gorgeous up there. I'd been to Flat Rock numerous times, and love that cute little town too, but Sky Top is breathtaking. It will definitely be an annual event for the Sweatmans!

Addie Kate loved it. She was, of course, dressed for the occasion, and was fine, but next year, I doubt she'll be sitting in the stroller, and will probably need to wear pants! Tommy dressed in his usual golf shirt and deck shoes - probably needed tennis shoes. I wore jeans and layers, but flip flops - not a good idea! No one told me that Sky Top was actually on TOP of a mountain! There was quite a bit of hiking that we weren't prepared for. That's ok though, we made it and had a blast! We'll know for next year!

We also had talked about taking a picnic lunch, but never made the grocery store trip. I knew of a great little bakery/cafe in Flat Rock, so I figured we could go there. Turns out, since I've last been to Flat Rock, it now only sells pizza and salads. It was also the only place open, so the line was ridiculous. We headed into Hendersonville, and hunted something down. Our choices were fast food or The Cracker Barrell (luckily, Tommy travels to Asheville quite a bit these days and knew exactly where it was!), so Cracker Barrell it was. It was also packed, at 2:30 in the afternoon. Very strange!

All in all, the day was wonderful. Cool, crisp mountain air, just the three of us, a scenic drive, what more could anyone ask for?

First view of the orchard:

Addie Kate and her basket, so stinkin' cute!

Getting a boost from Daddy:

And him showing her how to pick them:

The first pick!

Addie trying to get some of her own:

Mommy trying to help her out, she wasn't quite ready to pick them on her own:

Addie's first taste:

And after we were finished picking, Big T bought us this beautiful house! Ha!

One of the gorgeous views:

Addie Kate for some reason flocked towards the sign for Galas. She was actually pointing out the letters, but I think she was drawn to it because of the large amount of Galas that I ate while I was pregnant with her! It was the only kind of apple I wanted!

(I had to change her shoes. It was so muddy from the monsoon we had had the week before. Didn't think to bring Mommy and Daddy a change of anything! I ended up having to change her clothes too after lunch. We have more clothing changes now that she's a toddler than when she was a baby!)

And a little photo op with Mommy, but she was just too busy playing!

And with Daddy:

Our goods! We tried to keep our numbers low, but we still ended up getting almost a whole peck. I've been looking up apple recipes, no doubt!

Let me also note here that Addie Kate enjoyed her first yellow jacket sting. They yellow jackets were bad up there, if you were near rotten apples. As long as you were in the open areas, you were fine. I guess in an apple orchard, there's nothing you can do about it. Regardless, she held her little finger up to show me the "bug" (as she called it!), and I immediately got it off. Then later, I saw her rubbing her little wrist and we saw the sting. Bless her heart, she never shed one single tear. She's such a sweet little trooper!

When we were packing the diaper bag, Addie saw me putting a juice box in there. She flipped out and begged for it (they are a rare treat!) so her daddy promised her some good apple juice when we got there. Luckily, they had these little sippers (which cost as much as a gallon of cider), and they were yummy! She loved it!

Love this! I'd seen many of my friends' children's pictures here, and now my own! I can't wait to put them all together one day!

Such a mess!

She was very unsure about this scarecrow. She kept asking me what it was. I don't even think she knows what a scarecrow is, but I guess it did look a little creepy, plus the name has the word "scare" in it! She didn't get upset, but was just a little uneasy once she saw it there!

They had a little playground, swingset, and several playhouses there for all the kids. She was able to play in some while Daddy waited in the long line for the famous apple doughnuts! They were delicious1

And at the Cracker Barrell for lunch. She was two hours past naptime, hungry, and a perfect angel. She loved rocking outside and playing with the checkers. (I had to crop the UNC garb out of this picture, or Tommy wouldn't have let me take it at all!)

What a perfect day!