To describe our growing up in the lowcountry of South Carolina, I would have to take you to the marsh on a spring day, flush the great blue heron from its silent occupation, scatter marsh hens as we sink to our knees in mud, open an oyster with a pocketknife and feed it to you from the shell and say, 'There. That taste. That's the taste of my childhood.' - Pat Conroy

October 8, 2015

Thursday Thoughts

Do you ever feel like there just isn't enough time in the day?
Honestly, January - September I don't feel that way.
My days are pretty productive and I always feel I have enough time to enjoy the last few hours of the day with my family whether it be lounging around in the house, playing outside or visiting with local friends and family...

...then comes October and wham! Busy, busy busy!

With October starting the holiday season it seems we always have something going on, let's break it down for you.

Last weekend we had our annual fall festival in town, well kind-of; with all the rain.
This weekend we have another fall festival and we're planning on going to the pumpkin patch.
Next weekend Cadence has something going on with school.
The following weekend we're planning on doing Boo at the Zoo.
Lastly, Halloween weekend we are in a parade and of course, all the normal Halloween festivities.

Mix in a ton of other things during the actual work week such as cheer practices, work parties, birthdays, deadlines and I feel like I can hardly catch my breath. I am excited about the work party though. It's the company that Tarl works for and they host it every year in October. They always cater in the best southern food and recognize their employees.

This year is going to be a great one too, because Tarl gets special recognition for having been with this company for ten years! I am so very proud of the man Tarl has become. We grew up together and met when we were in our mid-teens. To have grown up and truly grow with him from his immature boyishness to the most caring man ever has been such a blessing. He's the best provider, husband and father. The Lord knew just what he was doing with us :)

I do love this time of year though! October - December could rotate and I would love it, busy and all!

There are so many great festivals and pumpkin patches and haunted hayrides and corn mazes open this year that I wish we could do all of them, but alas, there just aren't enough days in the month.

//

I've started making notes for our Christmas advent calendar. I cannot believe that it's getting so close. It won't be long we'll be seeing Christmas commercials and ABC Family will be counting down the 25 days of Christmas.

This year we want to take an overnight trip somewhere special to see Christmas lights, lots and lots of Christmas lights. Cadence adores Christmas lights. Simply adores them. She gets it honestly.

The last six years we've had a party for her, which is always kinda tough since her birthday is in December. Try planning something that works for everyone, especially when they have their own Christmas parties and work functions to attend-it's no easy task.

This year we're thinking of mixing it up a bit but we're still not 100% sure. In lieu of having a party we're thinking of just gathering my parents, Tarls parents and maybe a couple other close family members. Cooking a quick dinner like spaghetti at our home, having a little cake and then surprising Cadence with an overnight trip somewhere spectacular to see a lot of Christmas lights as a big birthday present from us to her.

This way she still gets to have a little party with close family, and of course, a birthday cake and then get a special treat with just the three of us.

If we do go along with this we'd have our families over on a Thursday evening, and surprise her with the little trip that night, then leave the following morning. This way it completely surprises her.

A few places we're thinking...

St. Augustine Festival of Lights
I know when you think St. Augustine you don't really picture a seven year old enjoying it, but we'd see all the lights in a horse drawn carriage, what little princess wouldn't love that?

James Island, Charleston - Festival of Lights
This is something we do each year regardless. It's a tradition for us that we adore. We've never made it an overnight trip though, and if we did this for her birthday we'd go see the lights, let her pick wherever she wanted to for dinner, and then take her to the toy store in Charleston to pick her out something special.

Riverbanks Zoo Lights Before Christmas
Twinkling lights all throughout the zoo, along with hot cocoa, parades and other fun things. I think Cadence would love this, plus it's something none of us has ever seen.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
What would be more magical on your birthday then being in Magic Kingdom, standing on Main Street USA while the snow started falling? We've discussed this the past two nights. Surprisingly enough Tarl is the one who brought this idea up. I knew better than to even mention it to him when he first said we should do something special in lieu of a big party for her birthday this year to mix it up a bit. Of course, MVMCP ran through my mind, but with our big trip in April, I wasn't about to even let the thought come out of my mouth, but that man sure did. I love that I have a Disney loving husband. This would obviously be a bigger expense than the others, but we're discussing :)

Is there any other special place in South Carolina, North Carolina, North Florida or Southeast Georgia that you know about for Christmas? If so, do tell, I'm all ears...

//

We have got to do some clothes shopping for Cadence. Y'all, the transition from 5 years to 7 years has been the quickest since she was a baby and grew out of clothes after only a few months. Every year we'll spend about $75 and buy a couple pairs of jeans, a pair of leggings, and then some long sleeve shirts. Most of the time those shirts will still fit when the following Fall rolls around, at least until we can go and buy some new long sleeve shirts. Well, not size 6. We purchased 5 long sleeve size 6 shirts last winter. We just tried them all on her last night and every single one was too short in the belly or sleeves, every single shirt. It looks like our girl is a complete size 7 now. We're coming to see you this weekend Gymboree!

Speaking of...I got an email from Gymboree this morning and they're having their $16.99 and under sale. Every thing in store is, you guessed it, $16.99 and under. Perfect time to shop! They are also having a huge sale online at the moment. A lot of cute mix and match options are available too.

We love their PJs! I wish they made them in adult sizes.

//

I'm looking forward to the pumpkin patch this weekend.
I cannot wait to bring out my Nikon and take pictures, and watch the pig races, and take the hayride to pick out our pumpkins! Afterwards is the harvest festival at a local Church and then to Savannah to start taking some Christmas shopping notes. Don't judge!

Seriously though, I get the best ideas for people for Christmas by just walking through the stores. Now is the perfect time to start making those lists...don't wait until the last minute.

Happy Thursday y'all!

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