babysitting Hudson...

Over the weekend Lauren and David had an engagement party to attend and asked Uncle Tison and Aunt Lindsey to babysit! This was the longest time either of us have spent with Hudson one-on-one ever! I was a bit nervous about entertaining him from 2-8. I had mommy friends on call, I made lists of things to do, Lauren even made a list for me too. I think she sensed my anxiousness. I don't know what I was so scared of though! Hudson was the most precious, calm, and curious little boy I have ever had the privileged of spending time with- the entire time {except when I got soap in his eyes during bath time.} I'd say I've improved a little since this time babysitting, don't you?

 I tried to document our few hours together. I captured just about everything but the hour we spent on the couch reading together- he, nuzzling up under my arm turning the pages, me, swooning over his sweetness. I could have sat there with him forever.

Hudson just loves to be chased. We got creative with the water sprinkler. Tison and I had so much fun with chasing him around. I mean- look at that smile!

{The new cool thing to do- put your finger in your belly button.}

He's the next Picasso.

Since water and chasing were making him giggle, I decided to blow up this water toy. When he showed hesitation in approaching it, I knew I was going to have to go in and play. He was very interested in how the little tikes ball squirted out the water. After awhile, we were both soaked and were ready for inside games.

After we changed clothes, we sang songs, read books, played games, and ate dinner...

...to my surprise, it was time for a bath and a bedtime story! I couldn't believe how fast the time had flown. Lauren and David, thanks for letting us play. He's such a peach. I can't believe you're about to have another little one running around in less than a month!!! xoxo

just a couple a lucys...

A couple of weekends ago, my parents along with Tison, and I experienced our first couples date together. A first of many to come I'm sure. We piled in mom's car and hit the road toward East Texas. On the west side of Marshall in Harleton, Texas lies a vineyard named Enoch's Stomp where acres upon acres of rolling hills are covered with grapes on the vine. I'm awfully glad this fifth generation grape grower found his way from South Africa to America. The evening was filled with wine tasting, dinner, grape stomping, and vineyard touring. It was extremely hot, especially after Mom and I completed the grape stomping competition, but the atmosphere reminded me of A Walk in the Clouds.  Remember that one?

My coworker and friend Katie and her roommate Britney met us there.

After dinner the grape stomping competition began. My mom and I split the 10 minute stomp in two. I can tell you, it is a real workout stomping for 5 minutes straight. and don't get me started on the pressure! Mom and I are competitive!

I really thought we had it, but alas. Someone out stomped us. Isn't the color of that grape juice disgusting? Who wants a glass?

There was some confusion with the purchasing of our tickets, but when Dad upgraded Mom and I, a perk was getting t-shirts! Thanks, Dad. (even though you called me and Mom a couple of Lucy's)

All in all, it was a wonderful first date with my parents. ;)

a walk down an olympic memory lane...

My first trip to Greece was in 2004 with a group of students and two teachers from Centenary College. It was part of a module required for graduation. This trip was probably one of the most monumental in my experience traveling abroad to date. I still remember it so vividly. I loved the Greek culture from the moment I stepped off the plane. I loved the fact that the trip was planned out by the teachers, so it was literally carefree. I enjoyed not knowing anyone in the group before leaving, but returning with new friends. The trip was filled with educational landmarks with enough time in each location to get lost and take it all in. In fact, the tour bus did leave me behind in one location because I had wondered off exploring... thank goodness someone noticed 15 minutes later that I wasn't in my seat or I might still be there! It was such a growth opportunity for me at a mere 20 years old.

Every time the Olympic Games roll around I think of this trip to Greece and our time spent in Athens, as they were just few months out from hosting the event in 2004. We got to view the stadium, stand next to the Olympic flame, and even run where the first Olympic Games took place. Did you know that the first ancient Olympic Games were held in Olympia, Greece in 776 BC? Let's take a walk down memory lane...

 Yes, we saw Troy in Greece! Can you believe they had an intermission for a smoke and bathroom break?!

The beaches were in-cre-di-bly beautiful! I may or may not have gone to a topless beach...

 The little old ladies in the small towns were the cutest, dressed in all black dresses and scurrying through the narrow streets. Most of them really did look like the My Big Fat Greek Wedding grandmother, Yia Yia.

These pictures make it look like I went to Greece in 1972! Isn't amazing how technology has changed so much in 8 years! I hope you all are watching and enjoying the Olympic Games as much as I am.

Ευχαριστώ πολύ 

for visiting.

dreams are nothing more than wishes...

{Sunday evening: birthday weekend}

Before heading over to my parents house for dinner and b-day cake, we stopped into Oyster Bar to meet Russell and Philip for a margarita - no salt, on the rocks. mmmmmm...

I just couldn't stand that our Shreveport-Bossier Film Tour didn't end on 15 locations on the 15th of July, so I am considering my Dad's birthday song serenade worthy of movie status. Hudson obviously agrees with me.

Mom made a superb meal for the family. Uncle Garry, Aunt Pam, and Stephen joined us and the "special plate" was used, naturally! {wink, wink} We read birthday horoscopes, talked about the Bachelorette, Facebook updates, and how we would like "to go."

Well, I have really strung out this birthday weekend! Check out part 1, part 2, part 3, and part 4. It's going to be a great year!

Shreveport-Bossier Film Trail...

{Sunday afternoon: birthday weekend}

Tison, Lauren, and I went on a photo scavenger hunt Sunday afternoon, inspired by all the sites in Shreveport-Bossier that have been used by the movie industry. Go on your own tour using this pdf. We didn't exactly go in the exact order suggested by the map or even make it to all the places on the list, but we sure did enjoy our afternoon exploration.

 

 {unbelievable acoustics, imported hand carved teak wood, German glass light fixtures etched by hand, and the simplest dressing rooms imaginable}

{This jail cell prop is from an actually film set left in the basement of the Municipal. It looks like steal, but it's made out of wood. Cinemagic, eh?

 {Tison also walked up yellow fever hill. During the time of the yellow fever outbreak, the grave diggers couldn't make the plots fast enough, so they buried approximately 1000 Shreveportians in a mass grave. Nothing like going to a cemetery on your birthday!}

 Just in case you missed it above, here's the film tour brochure.

time well spent at Marilynn's Place...

{Sunday morning: birthday weekend}

This makes the fourth time I have been to Marilynn's Place, two of which have been for Sunday brunch. I have to admit I much prefer the brunch menu. I ordered the mexican breakfast and it was very favorful. It is a tower of jalapeno cornbread served with eggs and bacon, topped with a spicy cream sauce and green onion. Tison and Lauren selected the shrimp and grits, which I ate directly off of their plates. The roasted tomatoes matched with the cheesy grits were melt in your mouth good. The beignets were a perfect side dish for the three of us- one a piece. They tasted like Grands flaky biscuits with powdered sugar on top, but I'm not complaining. The strawberry preserves were a perfect compliment to this sweet treat. The newly enclosed patio is very loud and when it started to rain, it leaked through the ceiling. This old gas station is a work in progress, although it is quickly becoming my favorite brunch spot.

after ballooning...

{Saturday: birthday weekend}

I was up so early for my ballooning adventure on Saturday that I wasn't even sure what to do with myself at 7:45 am when I was done. I went and had coffee with my parents, then met with Chessi and Stafford for a champagne breakfast. We picked up Another Broken Egg to-go, played with Stafford, and did some yoga. {my hamstrings are STILL sore!}

He is such a ham ;) After I left Chessi's house, Lauren and I went to Hollywood Nails in Pierremont Mall for pedicures. The electricity when out in the middle of it, leaving the massage chair punching into my back and my feet in cold water, but my toes look pretty in purple! When I got home, Tison asked me what I wanted to do for the evening and "lasagna" burst out of my mouth. Soon we were on the way to the store to get ingredients for homemade lasagna and a bottle of wine, of course.

Blame it on my age or on my early wake up call, but a tv tray with my favorite dish and complete control of the remote is my idea of a good night.

Thanks for the excellent service, Tison. Dinner was delicioso! Do you like my outfit? Fancy, right! And yes, I have Strawberry Abita in my hand and wine on my tray. After all, it was my birthday weekend!