Summer Love

Summer is here and it's time for picnic lunches on the back porch and evening swims with dada. 

entering this one in this challenge 

I had a little fun and put a video together of Violet and Robby's swim. The song in the video always takes me straight to my summer in Nashville driving in the car, windows down with the warm breeze flying through my hair. 

note to self: turn phone hortizontal

Summer Attire

All of this warm weather has me excited for the fast approaching summer. I can't wait to cookout and play in the water all day with Violet. She is a water and outdoor kid, so this summer, now that she knows what's really going on, is sure to be a blast. Here are some things I plan on Violet and I wearing 24/7 May-August.  I got the black straw hat below last summer and never wore it! What was wrong with me? The stripped one-piece came in last week for Violet and I immediately tried it on her. It is so darling and retro. Since we already own some of these pieces I plan to add the rest to bring it all together. I can't wait to brown up those chunky legs (mine and Violet's). 

For Mama: 1.Target  2.Asos  3.Old Navy  4.H&M
For Violet: 5.Old Navy  6.Carters  7.Old Navy  8.Old Navy

Apparently Old Navy is where it's at for baby/toddler clothes.

Splashpad

One of the days we were in Texas last month visiting Uncle Tony, Aunt Natalie, Cousin Jude, Cousin Lilly, and Grandma and Grandpa we headed over to the splash pad near their house. It was Violets first time in any kind of water other than the bath. She mostly had the "concentrating/thinking" face going on. She never smiled, whined, or cried, but let out a little "ha" a couple of times. Jude on the other hand was having a blast. He was running and screaming with delight. It was so fun to watch him chase the water and get splashed. Sweet baby Lilly, not even a week old, snoozed it out in her sling. It was such a fun little time with the family.

 For the record, I didn't intentionally put her under the water. I think some kid ran by and put a foot over one of the spouts therefore causing the one next to us to splash right on top of Violet's head. She never even made a peep about it. 

July 4th

Our Fourth of July was so much fun this year. We spent Monday and Tuesday at my parent's house to celebrate with my family. We pulled up to the house and it was (not surprisingly) completely decked out in all things USA. My mom loves her a holiday and it gives her the chance to create such beautiful and 

unique scenes. I am in awe of her creativity and ability to put together such lovely parties and get togethers. Up on the hill of my parents land is their pool and next to it they put up a giant canopy tent with a gorgeous table setting for us to eat, drink, relax, and escape from the sun. 

We spent the evening of the fourth with my parents, brother, grandparents, and my cousin and his wife. There was lots of swimming, eating hotdogs and watermelon, drinking margaritas, shooting fireworks, and of course playing with baby. This fourth of July was so special and memorable because it was another first for Violet. She loved everyone talking to her. She was all smiles the whole night. When it got dark Robby and my brother set off the fireworks while the rest of us sat under the tent and watched. Violet got her bedtime bottle during the first part and sat up and watched the big explosions at the end. She never got scared. It was so amazing to watch her follow them up into the big black sky and see her face light up when they burst into different colors. It was the best ending to our first fourth of July with our daughter. 

The next day we woke up, ate breakfast, and headed out to the pool. We spent almost all day outside in the water or under the big tent. Violet swam herself out and fell asleep on my lap as we ate lunch. It was such a perfect, hot summer day.