Nothing like it

Before I was a parent, I never realized the amazing joy that comes from watching your own child delight in simple pleasures.  There is absolutely no other feeling that can replace being happy because your child is so incredible happy!  We are very lucky to live close to a wonderful, FREE splash park!  This morning we met up with some friends for our first water out of the season.  Oh did Charlotte love it!  At first she was a little cautious, as she tends to be.  But, once she discovered the excitement of running through the water there was  no stopping her!  I have a feeling this will be a weekly outing for us.

One of our favorite places

We spent our first weekend of the summer in Austin.  While we were there, we had the opportunity to show Charlotte around the UT campus for the first time.  It was summertime on a Monday, so the campus was quiet and we were able to get some great shots!  I was very excited to be there sharing one of my top 5 favorite places in the world with my daughter.  I know that there are so many more beautiful places that God made.  However, there is something about the emotional connection I have with this place that makes it a favorite.  It is where I met Mark and together we shared so many amazing memories and friends.  It always feels like coming home.

Summer time!

There has always been something fascinating to me about first/last day of school pictures.  It is amazing how much children can change in the course of 9 months.  I have taught 4th grade for 9 years now and at the beginning of every year, silly as it is, I am still always shocked at how young they look.  I guess because 2 months earlier I had gotten very used to looking at almost 5th graders, not kids just out of 3rd.  Anyways, all of that being said, I have made sure to start the tradition of taking Charlotte's picture at the beginning and end of each of her "school years".  I sent her off a baby and she came back a toddler.  How did that happen?

  Back in August

This summer we are going to work on teaching Charlotte the "true" meaning of summer - chilling, relaxing, swimming, and hanging out with friends and family!  She is at an incredibly fun age and we are really looking forward to getting to spend so much time with her.  After our last day of school today, I was working on getting Charlotte pumped about summer time!