Wordless Wednesday. Bell Buckle, Tennessee

Suckie Free!

 My daughter was very attached to her "suckie" and that's why she was 3 when we eventually "sent them to the newborn babies in the hospital" but they are actually still in my pajama drawer. I couldn't get my self to trash them...don't tell her.

Little Man has been attached to "suckie" for quite some time now, and showing no signs of kicking the habit on his own...then I noticed a change in his teeth. Drastic times call for drastic measures....

I am going to miss these sweet post-nap-suckie-faces...sunglasses and all.

 I knew I didn't want him to have suckie when he was 3 and that means I had to start weaning him off it now, cause goodness knows how long it would take. So I cut a hole in one that already had a hole. Little at first, but smart little guy would turn it in his mouth so his tongue would cover the hole. On to my next next attempt: cut a cross in another suckie at the tip. (thanks to my friend Allison-who told me about this) I wanted him to still be able to have his suckie at night, to hold, and with the hole in it that's about all he can do. 

This was a very gradual process, about a month or so of little holes here and there and him telling me that it was broken. Not many tears, because it was just a fact, the suckie was broken and there was nothing he could do about it. It was sad because I wanted him to have that security he has had with suckie since he was a baby, but I also knew he would be fine without it.

Fast forward to last week, and he has thrown his suckies away on his own! One by one, day by day, because they are broken! I hate to trick the little guy, but it worked! And I am so proud. We have been suckie free ever since. 

Hooray!

Now to get him to use that potty...

Anniversary date night. Seattle style.

We decided to go downtown on our 5th wedding anniversary for old times sake and stroll pike place market again. We love the hustle and bustle of it all, plus I thought it would be fun to compare an old photo of back in our dating days...

Then: 

 Ahhh young love. Dont laugh.

 Now:

 8 years later.  Where has the time gone??!

 We went to 'Lola' to have appetizers and these beignets with vanilla-mascarpone frosting that were on the Food Network's show "The best thing I ever ate". And boy were they all they were talked up to be. Absolutely Heavenly.

I could hardly wait to get my paws on them.

Him either. ;)

After our appetizers and heavenly beingets we strolled around downtown hand-in-hand. Well not in this picture, and the 4 photos above - I had to have two hands for the camera of course. We are not really given the chance to hold hands all that often anymore, so we took advantage. 

And I loved it. 

Anyways,

I eventually asked my Hubby what movie we were going to go see. He replied "Why don't we get dessert to-go somewhere and walk down to the pier and watch the sunset instead."

"Whaaa?" I replied grinning. "Really?"
I couldn't have thought up a better night.
My husband can be pretty romantic, but usually not one

to skip a movie (in the theater) when given the chance. Especially ones that have been given 3 1/2 stars. Those are definite must-sees in his book.

 I'm pretty lucky. :)

 This guy came for a visit.

I think he eyed our desert. 

But flew away because we wouldn't give him a bite.
Such beggars those sea gulls.

Cheers to eating tiramisu and chocolate mousse and watching the sunset in peace.

This was definitely my kinda day.
 Good work honey!

t. fest!

First things first. A game of water basketball.

We loved their crazy faces.

 We thought about swimming. But sat on shoulders instead.

We lounged.

We played trucks. 

And the cousins played cribbage.

We read.

We built sand hills.

And jumped in the water.

There was a poker tourny.

And this guy cleaned up.

We said "Cheeeese".

 And dressed up like princesses. :)

We rode old stationary motorcycles.

And played more cribbage.

We smiled.

And wore feather boas.

We danced.

We realllllly danced.

And twirled.

Then danced some more.

We watched a Talent show.

We jammed. 

We listened to AJ.

And 'Boil that Cabbage Down' by the brothers.

 Then jammed some more.

We danced and tickled armpits at the same time.

And danced to the YMCA. Twice. I'm not ashamed.

Photo 1 of 4.

Photo 2 of 4.

Photo 3 of 4.

Photo 4 of 4. Oh my. :)

We took a picture of the outhouse.

We found a "hopper".

And made him our friend.

And this guy, who found a home under our tent.

We took a 4 generation photo of some good lookin men, if I don't say so myself.

We made lifelong friends.

Then packed up our "house tent".

And fit everything into our little car. Tetris style I might add.

Then we drove the 6 hours back home.

And

took a couple more

pictures.

We were impressed with these kite boarders, from the car of course.

Last but not least, me, sort of. Its the only picture taken of me by me the whole trip. Sad huh?