Wordless Wednesday- Sunflower-y Days!

Hook and Ladder (cont.)

Firewomen Katy to the rescue!

Every year, since Katy was born, we've taken the time to bake and deliver Christmas cookies to our local fire station. Even in the small ways, we want help teach Katy to have a thankful heart and a giving nature.

The first year we did this, we delivered cookies to the downtown Concord station. Now that we live in Harrisburg, we deliver the cookies to the Harrisburg Fire station. Some years, we end up having to leave the cookies at the door because nobody is home. Other years- like this year- the firemen are all present and more than happy to give a tour of the trucks and station. Lil' Miss enjoyed walking around the trucks but was too shy to actually climb into the cab. However, I was proud of her for personally handing the cookies to the captain and saying in a clear voice, "Thank you for helping us!"

We are so thankful for the emergency response teams throughout the community that help to keep us safe!!

Happy Halloween 2014- Word Girl Takes on the Downtown Concord Candy Crawl!

"Word Up!"

Candy Crawl with Friends.

"Katy is my Sunshine, my only Sunshine...!"

Because Halloween fell on a Friday, this year, that meant that the annual Downtown Concord Candy Crawl was on the same day as trick-or-treating (translation- Sugar Coma!!). After preschool, Lil' Miss enjoyed doing the Candy Crawl with friends. She racked up the treats, bounced off some energy in the bounce houses and even had her picture taken by the Independent Tribune!

Katy definitely enjoyed Halloween, this year!!

Fourth of July Festivities

Coloring a picture for our service men and women stationed overseas.

Merry-go-round Fun! Whee!

A Sweet Treat! (That melted quickly in the hot, humid weather!)

Chasing Balloons!

Last night, we braved the sporadic rain/thunder showers and ventured out to Harrisburg park to take part of their Fourth of July festivities. We originally thought we were just going for some fireworks (and maybe the playground), but when we got there, we realized that there was lots to do! Not only was there live music, but there were food vendors, and craft vendors. There were games and crafts set up for the kids. They even had carnival rides set up!

It was lots of fun and Katy had a blast taking part in an assortment of activities (and snacks! :-). And, luck was with us because even though we ended up sitting on a very soggy blanket (the blanket had a waterproof underside, mind you. The ground was THAT soaked from the days of rain we've been having, lately), we got to watch a very nice fireworks display without the interference of Mother Nature!

Happy Fourth of July!

Perfect Day for the Park

While the West was sweltering and the East Coast was shivering (crazy Spring weather!), North Carolina weather was beautiful, today. The perfect day to go to our neighborhood playground (Have we mentioned how much we LOVE our new neighborhood?!?!?)

Katy swung like a monkey...

...ran like a banshee...

..."climbed every mountain"...

...and showed off her sassy side... ;-)

Harrisburg Movies in the Park- "Wreck-It Ralph"

"Last night was the first (of the 2013 season) Harrisburg Movies in the Park. Mommy, Daddy and I got there early."

"First, I did a little climbing at the playground..."

"Then, I did a little bouncing.... okay, okay, okay I did A LOT of bouncing!!" 

(Look at that air!)

"Next, I did some slip-sliding down the inflatable slide..."

"Mommy and Daddy made me take a little break to eat some dinner."

"After dinner, though, I danced, danced, DANCED to the music playing over the speakers! Wheee- here I am spinning!"

 "Fun family night!"

*Once the sun set and it finally got dark enough, we watched "Wreck-it Ralph" on the really BIG, inflatable screen. The movie didn't start until close to nine PM and we didn't leave the park until 10:30PM. Lil' Miss managed to stay awake and enthralled throughout the whole movie, though!

First Pool Visit of the Season 2013!

Ready for a Swim!

Our new neighborhood pool opens May 1st, every year. The weeks proceeding May were warm- in the 80s- but then, once May hit, it was 60s all the way! Brrr! 

So, today, when I heard it was supposed to be 80 degrees and sunny, I knew we had to hit the pool for the first time. We slathered on the sunscreen, packed up our new red wagon and walked the short way to the pool. We only stayed about an hour- the water was still quite chilly!- but Katy had a blast! I have no doubt we'll be frequenting the pool quite a lot, this summer!

Memorial Gardens- Stair Master

September 2010

April 26, 2013

Same stairs at Memorial Gardens... two different approaches. My, how time flies!

Trains, Trolleys and Horse-drawn Carriages- Things That GO!

Bundled up and ready to go!

Coloring some paper ornaments.

The city of Concord always does their Christmas Tree Lighting before Thanksgiving and last night was the date of choice, this year. It's a tad bit early in the season, but we still enjoy attending. It helps get us into the holiday spirit.So, after Ted got home and we ate a quick dinner, we bundled up and walked downtown to join in the holiday festivities. 

First stop-horse-drawn carriages around town! Usually, this line is super long and we never like waiting that long. However, this time, we only had to wait one round and then we were fortunate enough to get on. We found out that the horses/wagon were from the Lazy-5 Ranch, so it felt just like when we rode them at a birthday party, a couple weeks ago (minus all the animals and feed, that is ;-P).

Next stop- Trolley Ride! This line was fairly short, as well, and we were able to sit up front. We listened to the historian talk about Concord history while riding around town. Katy was quite attentive throughout the history lesson/ride.

After the horse-drawn carriage and trolley ride, we walked over to Market street to do a little coloring and take part in the "kids activities." We bumped into several families that we knew. We've been attending the Christmas Tree Lighting for more than a few years, and I'd have to say that last night's attendance was quite low. I'm not really sure why since the weather was nice and clear and definitely not as chilly as years past. Oh well- more space for those that attended!

After Katy had had enough of the crowded kids area, she and I took a ride on the kiddie train together. The "conductor" was quite circuitous in his route and we ended up slip-sliding around in our seats (thank goodness I rode with her- the ride was quite curvy!). Of course, Katy had a blast and wanted to ride again! Wild child!

The night's activities culminated in the lighting of the tree and a nice fireworks display. Katy loved the fireworks and didn't even flinch at the loud noises. I thought for sure she'd be more sensitive to the noise, this year, but nope! She loved the fireworks!

After the fireworks, we walked home briskly and ended our night with cups of hot cocoa (with marshmallows, of course!) and a Charlie Brown Christmas. Fun, holiday times!

Jam Packed- Union Street Live!

Enjoying the concert with Grandma Tinkey!

My parents stopped for the night, last night, while on their way en route to my sister's house in Pittsburgh. We only got to visit with them for a little more than 12 hours, but we sure know how pack in some fun in a short amount of time!

The last of the season's Union Street Live! outdoor concerts happened last night. So, after my parents unloaded their stuff, we walked downtown to enjoy the music, the beautiful Fall weather and some dinner. Mom, Katy and I found a good spot to set up camp while Dad and Ted went to pick up the pizza we had called in ahead of time at The Pizza Loft at Gianni's. I'm so glad that we called in our order because the place was SWAMPED and Ted said they were getting longing looks from those waiting in line to order as he walked in and out with a hot, steaming pie. (The pizza- half carnivore, half vegetarian, split by gender ;-)- was delicious, by the way. I would totally recommend The Pizza Loft at Gianni's!)

Katy had a ball dancing and grooving to the music. She got more than a few "awws" and "So cute!" from people walking by. She was in rare form, last night and her energy way outlasted ours! It was so nice to enjoy Union Street Live! without the added heat and bugs from the summer. We couldn't have asked for better weather- cool, no bugs, clear sky! We even managed to stay until after it got dark (a first!) before calling it a night.

Bead Lady

"There is this quaint little shop next to the library called 'The Bead Lady.'"

"It's all about jewelry and beads and all things glittery and bling! I love it!"

"Oooh, I like that pink necklace!

"No, wait- I definitely think that blue one will match my dress better (Katy actually said that)."

Porch Party

There's always more than one way to get into a swing....

Cheesy Smile (but boy, do I love that smile!!)

Growing Like a Flower!

Our little girl is growing up and getting so big!

Memorial Gardens, September 2010

Memorial Gardens, September 2011

Memorial Gardens, May 3, 2012

Neighbor Bella

Our next door neighbor has a dog named Bella. Every time I see our neighbor walking the dog I say, "NeighborBella" as if it is one word.

"I REALLY like puppy dogs!"

"Nice puppy."

"Oh boy! Bella just gave me a 'kiss'!"

Thunder and (No) Lightning

No walk is complete without saying "Hi!" to Thunder, the cat.

Our neighbor has and outdoor cat named Thunder. It is necessary, in Katy's opinion, to stop and wave "Hi!" and "Bye!" to Thunder EVERY time we walk by his house. Our neighbors must think we are stalking them, or something because Katy loves to stop and talk to Thunder for minutes on end (don't worry, we're not!). I like Thunder because Katy gets to enjoy a cat without the sneezing and sniffles on my behalf- Achoo!

Hook and Ladder

"Helping" Mommy decorate cookies to give to the local fire station.

Katy taste-testing the icing- gotta make sure it tastes good before we give it away! ;-P

Concord Fire Dept.

Watch out world- Katy takes the wheel in the fire truck!

Today, we delivered a plate of decorated sugar cookies to our local fire station. We want to teach Katy to have a giving and thankful heart- and not just focus on Santa and presents at Christmastime- and thanking the men and women that keep us safe throughout the year is one small way we can do that.

When we walked up to the station, there was a fireman standing outside. He was kind enough to let us in and show us around the station. At first, Katy was kind of afraid of all of the large trucks, flashing lights and equipment. However, once the fireman said that Katy could "drive" the truck, Katy immediately perked up and got very excited. She even told Daddy to "get down" so that she could sit in the driver's seat all by herself.

Thank you to those that serve and protect us throughout the year!

Concord Christmas Parade

Mitten Check before we brave the elements and watch the parade.

Watching an old airplane drive (!) down Union Street.

NASCAR car and mascot, Lug Nut driving by.

Yesterday, we continued the holiday festivities by attending the Concord Christmas Parade. The crowds were plentiful and we weren't able to meet up with our Kinetic friends because of all of the people. However, we enjoyed watching all of the floats, bands and various dance, church and other organizations go by. Katy especially loved the floats with loud music and anything resembling a "cool bus" (school bus). She didn't even flinch at the sound of sirens when the police and fire engines rode by.

The Concord Christmas parade is a local tradition and a little slice of "Americana." However, it tends to be LONG and drawn out! We stayed for about two hours but then it started to get a bit chilly and Katy was starting to get fussy. Katy was NOT happy about leaving the parade. As we were walking home, she kept pointing to the direction of the parade saying, "Dat way! That way!"