Lilies on the River.

On Saturday, myself, momma, Paige, and MeMe T. attended the Lilies on the River Luncheon/Silent Auction/Lily Release at Berkley Hall. The event was to raise money for Hope Haven of the Lowcountry which serves women and children in various capacities. Several of my friends from BFT were involved in putting it on---they put quite a bit of hard work into it and it certainly showed. We enjoyed the social time, the luncheon, the cause, and the silent auction part which mom walked away with a couple of items and Meme was bidding on a large basket full of wine that included a Wiseguys gift card (which I would have gladly taken off her hands!!).

Me, Paige, MeMe, and Momma
My dress reflected the light big time and was like a beacon during the pictures!

Me and my pal Jodi--we worked together a few years back at the same school. She was the SLP and I was the OT assigned to that school. Boy do I miss working with her!!!

So many pretty lilies to release!

MeMe and Momma after releasing thier lilies.

It really was a great way to celebrate mother's day and a great cause!

Splish, Splash!

Last Tuesday for playgroup, we were invited to go to the Hampton Lake pool. Calling it just a pool is a gross understatement! This place is kiddo's dream come true. It is like a waterpark! They have a graded entry pool, lazy river, an area that is flat and has water spraying up from the ground like a fountain--did I mention that is it padded??, a beach on the lake, and a playground attached. I hope to spend every playgroup at the pool this summer at Hampton Lake---it is that fun.



This was Anderson's first time in the pool and he absolutely could not get enough of it. He loves the bath, so I was not surprised. However, he was not as smiley as I thought he would be during the experience, I wonder if I was just too excited for him! I took a million pictures and I tried so hard to get that huge toothless grin! It did crack through a few times and thankfully caught the moments!

Sunday Afternoon Boat Cruise.

Mid-afternoon last Sunday, we went on a boat cruise with members of Brad's Rotary Club. Brad was charged with planning the event and it turned out to be perfect weather for a nice cruise! We cruised from Shelter Cove Harbor, up Broad Creek, through the Calibouge Sound, around Daufuskie and Bull Island and back to Shelter Cove. Because of the botch sunscreen application from Saturday at the beach, I wore a sweater the whole time! And yes, it was hot. But I did not want to be twice baked and be peeling for Paige's upcoming wedding!

Brad and Me

Back of my head, Lauren w/ Michael, Brad, and David w/ Jack
Anderson was at home w/ Alex (the trusty babysitter)

Friend following the boat!

It was jumping along w/ the boat!

This was not the first time that we have had flipper join in on the boating fun. Last summer out in our boat we had a similar experience! My friend Silvia, from Beaufort, was with us and took these w/ her phone! Here you go, Sea World--HHI.

I LOVE MY OT GIRLS!

I have been wanting to do this post since Sunday, but have had to spend every free moment trying to finish the book club selection, The Brief and Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao, for the upcoming meeting---tonight! Not the beach read books that I am used to reading, but I do feel smarter for reading it at least! HA!

Last weekend was the annual gathering of my BFF's from MUSC. We were all great friends in OT (occupational therapy) school and survived gross anatomy, late and at the time felt like endless study sessions, project after paper, etc..together! I am grateful to have found such wonderful friends and thank my lucky stars that I had them through 3 years of OT school! This year all the girls (almost) came to HHI! We were missing 2: Rachel who lives in MA and is pregnant with twins due end of July and was not allowed to travel and also Holly who ended up in the ER with major gastro issues that is still a mystery at the moment. We missed them terribly, but managed to have a little bit of fun!

They arrived Friday afternoon with enough time to give the outlets a workout. Amazing how things have changed as we spent most of our time in children's stores buying for the little ones! I am sure that most of you are not going to be surprised that we went to Wiseguys Friday night! Kasey was the DD this year as she is due 4/4! Little did we know that we also had a another DD--Melanie is pregnant again (she has twin girls) and due 11/21!

Me, Melanie, Kasey, and Shelley

Pomegranate-Pear Martini's

Saturday we went to the beach at Port Royal Plantation all day and enjoyed the sun. I did a botch job on sunscreen application and looked like a patchwork quilt after the fact. Nice. When we were leaving a parrot flew onto a pool chair? Then flew off again. Huh?

Saturday night we headed to San Miguel's to enjoy some live music and coastal atmosphere down at the Shelter Cove Harbor (these girls are landlocked at home!).

Later that night we threw a mini-shower for Kasey and she got lots of goodies for her little boy!

Fun times! I was sad to see everyone leave and am looking forward to next year!

Sitting on the Dock of the Bay...

The dock of the Battery Creek, really. But you get the idea. Sunday afternoon, Anderson and I made the short jaunt to Beaufort to spend some time with one of my BFF's from Beaufort, Jodie. She lives in Maryland but has been back to Beaufort quite a bit since her daughter, Murphy, was born. Love that. She was down this time b/c her brother is a Marine and is days away from a rather lengthy deployment to Afghanistan. The visit was to spend some time with her brother (Jonathan) before he leaves and say goodbye :( I know they are all proud he is going to serve our country! Anderson and Murphy enjoyed playing beside each other on the dock! These pictures are were lifted from her blog b/c I forgot my camera--I think I need to get a spare and just keep it in my purse!

Anderson and Murphy

My sweet baby

That thing he has in his hand is a foam "road sign" that is part of a larger set of foam bath toys. He absolutely loves chewing on it b/c it is just the right sponginess. The larger set belongs to his pal, Henry, who gave Anderson several pieces to chew on. Thanks Amy.....it has given him exactly what he wants to gnaw on!

A Summons.

For the second time in my life, I received a Summons for Jury Service. The first time was when I was in college and was excused. This time I was thinking, oh my, am I really going to have to do this. And of course it is not local. That would be to easy. I am to report Tuesday, June 9, 2009 at 8:30 am in Columbia at the United States Courthouse. I am all about doing your duty as a citizen but, um, just not now please! Before I started making plans in my head, I thought I should read through the paperwork and see what all had to be done and fill out the novel of a questionnaire. What did I find on the Jury postponement request form...."I have active care and custody of children under ten years of age." Yes, Anderson, age 8 months! Read down a bit farther and it says "Requests are not automatically granted." Well, I guess I will be calling the
1-800 number to check my status!

Smocking 101.

My long time pal Katy agreed to teach me how to smock--she is a great teacher and I mean it when I say she has the patience of Job, because I am a slow learner and might have issues with comprehension! I think I have asked her a million times "is this right?", "how do you do the knot again?", "how have I messed it up this time?", etc. Her hubs, Chris, plays here on the island (he is a musician) and this past Saturday evening Katy came with him and hung out with me while he did his show. I started my first outfit for Anderson after practicing stitches on a practice pleat so I was SO glad to have her here for support!

The first smocking project!

I am starting with a VERY easy geometric design. I hope to graduate to picture smocking!

The orange lines are the guidelines. You pull them out after you are done.

I have worked some more on it since I took these pictures and I am now about 1/3 of the way done! I am excited for the finished product!!