Seriously, Y'ALL have to try this stuff...

Ummm, yep-that's what you think it is...Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka and it's made right here in Charleston. This stuff is absolutely the best liquor I've ever had. If you ask for it with water and a splash of lemon (and on the rocks), it tastes just like a glass of sweet tea. Not too sweet though and you can't taste ANY alcohol-NONE, zip, zilcho- so they are dangerous. Sip slowly!! Last night we had MOM's night out and a few of us ordered one and I think I quite possibly have my favorite cocktail now. Unfortunately right now they are only sold in 6 or so states and they are literally flying off the shelves in S.C., but hopefully they can keep up with demand so everyone can sample this stuff. Makes me proud to be southern I tell ya, I tell ya.

We are off to my cousin's wedding tomorrow night. It should be a blast. I feel like it's going to be like a reunion. So many people I haven't seen in a LONG time (since high school) are going to be there and then Dan and I are off to Vegas on Sunday. Can't wait to share details about our trip! I'll be back online next Thursday-have a great weekend!

She got $91 worth of WHAT?

Dear Regal Cinema Workers,

I thank you so dearly for offering the free summer movies during the week. It's been a great way to escape the sizzling heat and enjoy cheap popcorn and a drink. I love it when you tell me that it will be $2 for a popcorn and drink at the movies, instead of $80,0000. But anyway, I digress...the real reason I am writing you this letter is because of your lack helping the people waiting in line, instead focusing your efforts on filling the order of the lady who spent $91.00 for her concessions, yes $91.00! I know, I know I should be thankful that the movie was free and the food was cheap, but do you know how hard it was for me to get 3 young children dressed (myself included) and out the door to get to the theater by 10:00 to see the movie, only to have to wait in line for 20 minutes to wait for snacks? I saw you looking at me, me with my double stroller and 3 anxious children, patiently waiting to get in to the movie so my 3 year old could have his popcorn and drink in peace and my 16 month old twins could have their sippies and Annie's crackers. But did you help the others, did you try to hurry up the woman with the ginormous order? No, you took your sweet little time which made us 30 minutes late for the movie. My children didn't care because quite honestly the movie was not that good. In fact, it had what I felt was a scary part (which is when my son told me he did not like the movie anymore). So, we scooted out with popcorn and drink in tow. I now need another shower because I was drenched in sweat just trying to make it to the movie in time...just thought you should know.

Yours truly-
A very tired mommy just trying to show her kids a good time in this blazing, blazing heat
Steel Magnolia

Summer is flying by...

I feel like we have been so busy these last couple of weeks. Harrison had camp every day last week and loved it. It was a week all about dinosaurs. This week we have some activities planned during the day (free summer movie, open play at My Gym, playgroups, playdates, pool, errands) but primarily getting ready for my cousin's wedding on Saturday night and then leaving right after that for our trip to Las Vegas on Sunday. I.Can't.Wait! I'm so excited just to be able to read a book or magazine on the plane, sleep in, eat dinner without having to cut food up into little pieces, people watch to my heart's content-you get the drift. I LOVE my children deeply, but sometimes everyone needs a little break, even if it's just to appreciate them that much more.

We had a great, low-key weekend. It rained A LOT here (which we so desperately needed), but we did manage to hit the beach on Saturday morning. After this past weekend, it gets really packed with tourists here, so I really wanted to get to the beach before it got too crowded. On Sunday, I had a Charleston Junior Woman's Club Board retreat, which lasted most of the afternoon, but it did get me excited about our upcoming year and the charities we are supporting. It was held at a member's home (which was an incredibly beautiful home downtown Charleston-it was like a museum). All I kept thinking was my kids would destroy this place...she even had a child (granted a 3 year old girl, but still). Anyway, it was a potluck and I made Paula Deen's Better Than Sex Cake....it was pretty good. Here's the recipe....

Is it Really Better than Sex? Cake
Ingredients:
1 18.25-ounce box yellow cake mix, plus ingredients to prepare
1 20-ounce can crushed pineapple
1 1/3 cup sugar
1 3.4-ounce box French vanilla pudding, plus ingredients to prepare
1 1/2 cup heavy cream
1 cup flaked, sweetened toasted coconut
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Prepare yellow cake mix as directed using a greased 13x9x2-inch pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. While cake is baking, combine the pineapple, 1 cup of sugar in a saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium heat stirring constantly. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
Remove cake from oven and using a fork, pierce holes into cake. Pour pineapple mixture over hot cake and set aside.
Prepare pudding according to package directions. Spread pudding over cake and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled. Whip heavy cream and remaining sugar until stiff. Cover top of cake with whipped cream and sprinkle toasted coconut on top.
Yield: 16 to 20 servings Preparation time: 30 minutes Cooking time: 45 minutes Ease of preparation: easy
Recipe courtesy Paula Deen

Silly boys and a dog...

The boys and Bailey were being silly the other night after dinner...so I thought I'd capture the moment with my camera...
So Bailey doesn't LOOK very silly in this picture, but she really was being silly. And yes, Bailey is a girl-there needs to be another female in this house besides moi! She is so great with the boys-she actually spoils them a little, allowing them to climb all over her and not really caring at all. Please say a little prayer for her, we found another lump, this time on her leg and are taking her to the vet tomorrow. For those of you who don't know, she survived cancer last year and our vet has deemed her the miracle dog. She had 5 teeth and part of her upper jaw removed and she's still a trooper (she had an osteosarcoma in the mouth, this is usually lethal in dogs). Bailey-girl, we hope you will be OK and we love you very much.

Bathroom fit for a king....or 3 little princes

I have recently re-done the boys bathroom and am so excited how it turned out. We still need to paint it...but that will come. Here's the picture from the Pottery Barn Kids website of the shower curtain, bath mat and towels...their's are the blue and green, of course!

A new running partner?....NOT!

Saturday morning I got up at 6:00 am for my run. I was only going to run 6 miles because we had to drive to my sister's house in the morning and we had a party that night, so there was a ton of stuff to do around the house....I felt really good during the run and said, "What the heck, I'll just go ahead and run 9 and be done with it". I was plugging away, running my usual loops-when I turned the corner and saw what I believed to be a rubber tire in the middle of the street. I thought, "Hey, that's weird, but oh well". As I got closer "the tire" moved. Well, it wasn't a tire, but an ALLIGATOR people. That's right...I panicked! I was about 6 feet away from it (it was about 6-7 feet long)when I screamed and quickly turned around and ran back the other way. I was looking for someone to tell, but couldn't find anyone. At this point I was running so fast I couldn't catch my breath. My Garmin said I was running at 4:58mm. When I felt it was safe to slow down I did...but at this point I was done. I ran home and clocked in at 7.2 miles. We have alligators all over the ponds around here, but this is the first time I've ever seen one on the street before. I was a little freaked to say the least. My neighbor and I ran down that same street this morning and I have to say I was a little scared, but Mr. Alligator was no where to be seen. Hopefully, he will stay in his little pond and will not want to greet me on the street ever again.

Happy Father's Day!!

Happy Father's Day to the greatest dad and husband around. We love you so much!

Love, me, Brady, Jack, Harrison and Bailey the dog