Trailer Trash

It's official, the Patricks are trailer trash! We took our very first trip in our new camper to celebrate Jack's birthday this weekend. Max, Jack and I loaded up and headed to SC to Oconee State Park and met Nanny and Kinsey for a little one-night trial camp. We really enjoyed the air-conditioned camper (other than my back REALLY hating the mattress--OUCH!) and had a great time at the park which included a lake, a putt-putt course and some fun playground time.

Here's a picture of the inside of the trailer and Nanny reading bedtime stories...



...and from the lake. Max just learned to swim this week and is really starting to get good!

New Wheels

Happy Father's Day and Happy Birthday to Jack. Here's his "new" ride we got tonight!

Evening Swim

Farm Fun

So Laura and I decided we were going to take the kids to pick some blueberries for our second morning of "cousin fun" so we headed to Washington Farms pretty early to try to beat the heat. The kids enjoyed picking for a little while, then got hot and distracted by the playground, which made some not-so-helpful pickers. After we finished our bucket, we went over to the farm/playground area and played in the corn pit and checked out the animals.

Cousin Pool Fun

This week has started off GREAT with my sis and cutie little nephew in town for a few days. After some hilarious bounce house time and group bath last night, we woke up this morning, played toys for a bit then packed a picnic lunch and hit the pool. While chasing three kids between the baby pool, the big pool and the kiddie "hot tub," we stayed busy, but the cousins had a really good time playing with each other. Kinsey had a blast because her best next door neighbor, Mimi, came along with us giving her some "big girl" time away from the boys. We were all worn out and ready for a nap by the time we got home.

Later that evening, we decided to go out for a yummy dinner on the patio at our favorite seafood restaurant in Athens. Fun night!

Birthday Weekend

For anyone who knows me or my family, you know that there is no such thing as a birthDAY! Usually the festivities last a weekend or even the whole week. This year, for Kinsey, was no exception. After a fun puppet show last weekend, we continued with a great movie, special lunch date with Daddy, pizza out with the granparents, etc. Friday, Nanny and Papadad came to town to help get ready for Kinsey's birthday party. That night, we all went to Stone Mountain for the Laser Show. Before the show, Max and Kinsey got a real treat when Nanny and Papa took them on a train ride. Max is simply obsessed with "choo choos." Everyone seemed to enjoy the show, although Max thought the fireworks were too loud.

Saturday, Aunt Lar-Lar, Uncle Paul and Thomas came up early to help with decorations and party preparations. Later that afternoon, Kinsey and her buddies had a wonderful time at her Wizard of Oz birthday party at a local drama studio. My friend Hillary did an awesome job playing games and teaching the kids a precious little dance as well.


Of course, Jack and Papadad created once again a masterpiece cake that everyone loved.



Sunday, we took both sets of grandparents out for a yummy Father's Day brunch and then hit the pool for a break from the crazy Georgia heat.

I'm looking forward to a few days with my sister and nephew, as they are headed back into town for a little visit...

Birthday Princess!

Five years ago today, my life, as I knew it then, would change forever as I became a mother for the first time. What amazing blessings I have received in these years and what wonderful memories have been made.

Today, we celebrated Kinsey's birthday with some girl time at home watching "Ho-dogs for Tell," followed by a special lunch with Mommy, Daddy and Kinsey at the "Secret Place," going to see Up in 3D with a best bud, and pizza and cookie cake at Fox's with Nan and Granddaddy. After supper, she picked out a toy (bubble gum making-kit) and we experimented together before bedtime.

Happy Birthday, sweet girl! I LOVE YOU!

Introducing...

Caroline Kinsey Patrick!

Caroline was born today at Babyland General Hospital in Cleveland, GA. For Kinsey's upcoming 5th birthday, Nan and Granddaddy took her to adopt her very own original Cabbage Patch doll. And she couldn't have been more excited! She came home and within minutes, all of her baby doll bottles, clothes, strollers, etc, that have not been used in MONTHS, were all over the house!

Goober Max loves his new adoptive "sister" too!

From Greenville to Atlanta...

What a fun weekend we had to wrap up a great summer week. The kids and I spent almost every day at the pool this week and Jack took them to Vacation Bible School each night as well. They were BEAT! Friday night, we had a fun dinner out with the Griner clan followed by another good movie night in the basement watching Lemony Snickets. I personally still have to finish the movie since I fell asleep only a few moments into it! Bad habit I have!!!

Saturday, my dear friend from high school, Becca, had a baby shower in Greenville and since the annual Touch-a-Truck festival was going on there as well, we decided to pack up the whole crew and go to my hometown for the day. The three cousins had a great time climbing on everything from fire trucks and buses to boats and trolley cars. While I went to the baby shower and enjoyed the Brick Street Cafe's famous "Love Muffin," the rest of the Putman, Patrick and Pitmans went to lunch and played in some fountains to cool off.

Sunday, Max enjoyed some one-on-one time with his Nan and Granddaddy, while Jack and I took Kinsey to a special "pre-birthday" celebration in Atlanta. After a yummy lunch at my new favorite resaurant, Melton's App and Tapp, we met up with cousin Anna (and eventually Alex) at the Center for Puppetry Arts to see "The Little Pirate Mermaid." What amazing creativity!!! If you've never been, you really should try it. We will definitely be going back in the very near future. All of us really, really enjoyed the show and the puppet museum as well. On top of that, we got to make our own fish puppets (Max thanks Alex and Anna for making him one, too) at the create-a-puppet workshop.




Let the birthday festivities begin (or shall I say continue)... :)

Beer and Buffett=Summertime Fun

Last night, while Jack and the kids were at VBS at church (I know, I see the irony here), I went out with a couple of gals from work to the first Concerts on the Lawn of the summer season. It was a Jimmy Buffett cover band and while there was one or two itty bitty moments when guilt hit me because I knew the kids would've loved the music, they faded quickly, and I really enjoyed a relaxing night out. Plus, having my kids there would've meant I couldn't stare at this beautiful baby Walker all evening. He sure is precious, Julie!

Home

It's been two weeks of beach fun, but now we are home for the most part for the rest of the summer. The kids and I spent this last week at Myrtle Beach for the annual Townsend beach trip. This is my mom's side of the family, where four out of five of my aunts were able to make it along with a few of my cousins. The weather was gorgeous, the food delicious (yay Mrs. Fish), and the company, especially all the precious children, was great. We learned that Max really, REALLY loves babies (thank Emily for loaning us Baby Whit so much) and that Kinsey wants a new baby, but only if she can trade her brother in!!! :) Some of my favorite parts of the week were Cousins Night Out at Dick's (boy that place is interesting), Low Country Boil and Game Night on the lawn, Myrtle Waves with Kinsey, Alex and Kinsey's best bud from home, Hannah, Alex's and my bike ride to the MB bars and arcade, full moon walk in the sand, National Donut Day and of course just hanging out with Mom and the family on the sunny beach.

Jack was able to come for the last two nights of the trip. Our family enjoyed the Sun Fun Festival and Saturday night Jack cooked us steaks while Max made us some homemade ice cream.

It was a wonderfu week with great family and I look forward to next year's trip and hope everyone can make it!