Day 22: A Case of the Mondays

Our weekend was jam-packed and we four Smiths weren't alone for one minute of it.

I'm an extrovert who thrives on socializing, but Bradley is not - and even I need a little downtime after the busy-fest October has been so far.

Any day that starts this way is headed in the right direction.

Today has been just as mundane as I'd hoped: philanthropy work, kiddie play time, a push-myself run and a long walk with a friend, MB beaming up at me from her Bjorn.

A lot of parenting is hard work, with days that feel longer than they are; today wasn't one of those.

Mac testing out B's prototype bar stool for our far-too-tall counter.
Why build a counter taller than any chair on the market? Craziness.

Mac asked to be held this morning and sat beside me most of the day. It wasn't in a needy, draining way; he just wanted to be near me. He told me funny stories, complied when I asked for a little time to work and engaged with me as only a three-year-old can. I hope I remember days like these.

Me in an ancient tee and a post-run grin.
Mac in khakis and the pj shirt he wore 'til nearly suppertime.

I'm barely getting this post in before the midnight Day 22 cutoff, but I've been soaking up an easy, full Monday at home.

Tomorrow morning kicks off another crazy stretch, so I'm off to bed before it's officially Tuesday.

Hope your week started off wonderfully, y'all!

*This post is day 22 in my 31 Days of What Matters.

Day 21: Old Friends

Yesterday we had another fabulous time in Tigertown. Noon games are always hard for non-morning types like me, but the payoff is well worth it.

The other photographer was crazy tall, hence my space out, upward stare.

Mac and Mary Brooks had a fun day with their grandparents while Bradley and I enjoyed a Tiger victory and a few hours with grown-ups.

Friday and Saturday nights we hosted our friends Traci and Matt from the Lowcountry; we were excited to have them back for their first Clemson game in ages. Mary Brooks enjoyed four new arms to squeeze her, and Mac took advantage of fresh voices to read him his favorite stories.

We had a low-key lasagna and veggie supper on Friday, Bradley whipped up his signature Lowcountry boil (mmm, shrimp!) after the game Saturday evening. We wrapped up the weekend with a big Southern breakfast and now we're looking ahead to another busy week.

I think both our babies wanted to go home with Traci!

We miss these faces already! I'm so thankful football season gives us an excuse to catch up with old friends.

*This post is day 21 in my 31 Days of What Matters.

Day 20: C-L-E-M-S-O-N

Today we'll be in Clemson cheering on the Tigers and catching up with some friends we haven't seen in ages. I love big games that bring folks in from far out of state!

Mac and MB will be with their grandparents while we tailgate, but since it's a lunchtime game we'll all be back home for a Lowcountry boil at suppertime. (Not sure if you've ever eaten B's version, but you won't find anything tastier.)

Have a gorgeous Saturday! xox

*This post is day 20 in my 31 Days of What Matters. 

We Have a Winner!

I'm so excited to announce the winner of The Beaufort Bonnet Company giveaway! I tossed in all the comments that made it up by 10:00 am, and the winning entry was....

Congratulations to Ashley of @TheStratPack! I'll put you in touch with The Beaufort Bonnet Company so you can design your little one's newest accessory.

So much to monogram, so little time!

For those of us who didn't win, The Beaufort Bonnet Company has offered to extend their $1 monogram promotion with the code AnneSays$1Mono. 

 

The discount will be valid on any TBBC bonnet, bucket hat, gift or clothing item until next Wednesday, October 24, at noon EST.

I hope to snag some monogrammed pieces for Christmas gifts; you know I can't pass up a good coupon code! There are lots of spirit bonnet options for your tiny fashionistas to sport at tailgates this fall, too.

Not my team, but I do love the houndstooth!

Many thanks to The Beaufort Bonnet Company, and thank y'all for participating. Ashley, we want to see a picture of your little man in that Beaufort bucket hat!

Now get to shopping and monogramming, girls!

Day 19: Luna

Source

Yesterday Uma Thurman, who gave birth this summer and has been photographed with her baby daughter many times since, finally announced her newest child's name.

I'd wonder why she waited so long to reveal it, but I think her child's initials speak for themselves: RAAAFT-B. That's pretty similar to my exclamation upon reading her name in its entirety: Rosalind Arusha Arkadina Altalune Florence Thurman-Busson.

I realize the actress was born Uma Karuna Thurman, but even she was saddled with just three little names. Baby "Luna," as she will be called, might reach legal driving age before she's able to spell each of those inspired selections.

Her older brother and sister, Maya and Levon, won't bat an eyelash at the addendum Luna's birth certificate will require. Their other younger half siblings, via their dad Ethan Hawke and his new wife, are Clementine and Indiana.

Meryl Streep's children must feel like real Hollywood outcasts with their monikers. Ms. Streep, born Mary Louise and called "Meryl" for decades now, has four children: Henry Wolfe, Mary Willa ("Mamie"), Grace Jane and Louisa Jacobson Gummer.

Considering Mamie's headlining a new fall TV show, I suppose their gentried acting background and classic names have served the Streep/Gummer clan well.
Take a look at these other celebrity names, or click my "names" tag below, to see that sweet Luna is in good, if unfortunate, company.

Next time I feel bad that Mac goes by the first half of his middle name, or that Mary Brooks goes by both her first and the second half of her middle name, I'll remind myself there's not an Arkadina or Pilot Inspektor in the bunch...

(And surely using only family names give me a little leeway, right? Or is that what Uma said to herself before shoving all 14 words together and calling it a name? Eep! What've I done?)
Don't forget to leave a comment on Tuesday's post to win a Beaufort bonnet or Beaufort bucket hat from The Beaufort Bonnet Company! The giveaway closes this morning at 10:00 am EST.

*This post is day 19 in my 31 Days of What Matters.

Day 18: Sweet, Awkward Moments

Last night as I put him to bed, Mac asked me to stay behind and snuggle with him for a minute; I couldn't turn him down. He recovered from his stomach bug, but is cutting his two-year-old molars, and MB is a few days behind him on that tummy stuff. It hasn't been our most cheerful week, though it's nothing we can't handle.

Mac wanted me to lie down for "just one minute" because he didn't want to "start sleepin' alone. I can do it by myself, but I wanna start with you." Who could resist?

As I got in bed, with his white noise blaring and his lights off, it was hard to keep my eyes open. He knew how to keep me awake and interacting, though - he sang to me.

The number was something he wrote on the fly all by himself, and the melody was as repetitive as it was simple. It's the best song I've ever heard:

"I love you, Mama. You are my one. You love God and Jesus and they love youuuuuuu. I am so proud of you. You are my Mama."

I nearly died. "My one?" This kid knows how to lay it on thick, and I ate it up.

A few minutes later, understanding that flattery is the surest way to earn extra snuggle time my heart, this gem came out of his mouth:

"You know what you're good at, Mama? Lots of things. Cooking, sitting down on the potty, washing dishes, opening curtains, finding my shoes, closing curtains, putting your pants on, sleeping with people... All kinds of things."

My son thinks I cook and wash dishes (victory!); he also thinks I'm good at sleeping with people.

I suppose Mac meant snuggling, but still - this is one story I hope he doesn't relay word for word to his teacher. I'll let you know if she starts giving me "you skank!" looks.

Don't forget to leave a comment on Tuesday's post to win a Beaufort bonnet or Beaufort bucket hat from The Beaufort Bonnet Company! The giveaway closes tomorrow morning.

*This post is day 18 in my 31 Days of What Matters.

Day 17: Running Tunes

After six full weeks of antibiotics, steroid shots and more oral steroids (I'm reaching Arnold Schwarzenegger status), I'm well and ready to hit the pavement again. October weather is perfect for outdoor exercise - cool enough that you don't melt but not so cold you want to stay under the covers.

I need serious beats and up-tempo music to keep me motivated while running. Anything that slows down makes me want to screech to a halt, not push through the pain to get a decent workout in.

To that end, I've downloaded a few new tunes and updated my running playlist. It's different from my "regular" workout playlist in that the music worms itself into my brain and drowns out the "stop, stop, stop, you can't do this, let's take a nap!" voice that follows me when I run.

Here's what I've got so far - I'd love your favorite new running song suggestions!

Disclosure: Don't judge. I buy "clean" iTunes versions so I'm not humming four-letter words to myself when reading Mac his evening Bible story.

I need LOTS of options so I can turn off anything that doesn't cut it at the moment. Also, I fancy myself something of a hip hop maven when wearing spandex, hence the old school Eminem and Jay Z tunes. Whatever gets my legs going and drowns out my to do list!

Cheers (Drink to That) - Rihanna
Whip My Hair - Willow
What the Hell - Avril Lavigne
Want U Back - Cher Lloyd**
Part of Me - Katy Perry
Gangnam Style - PSY
You've Got the Love - Florence + the Machine
Lose Yourself - Eminem
Lights - Ellie Goulding**
We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together - Taylor Swift
Universal Mind Control - Common
Domino - Jessie J
Club Can't Handle Me - Flo Rida
Blow - Ke$haJ
Let It Rock - Kevin Rudolf and Lil Wayne
Closer - NeYo
Hard - Rihanna and Jeezy
Magic - Robin Thicke
Pon de Replay - Rihanna
Party Rock Anthem - LMFAO
Don't Stop the Music - Rihanna
Breakin' Dishes - Rihanna
Big Pimpin' - Jay Z
Dirt Off Your Shoulder - Jay Z**
I Just Wanna Love U - Jay Z
Run This Town - Jay Z and Rihanna
Izzo - Jay Z
Empire State of Mind - Jay Z and Alicia Keys
All I Do Is Win - DJ Khaled
I Know You Want Me - Pitbull
Look at Me Now - Karmin Cover
Clocks - Coldplay
So What - P!nk
Die Young - Ke$ha
Bad Girls - MIA**
Girls Gone Wild - Madonna
Paper Planes - MIA
No Church in the Wild (Clean) - Kanye and Jay Z**
Flesh and Bone - The Killers
Titanium - David Guetta and Sia
Pound the Alaram - Nicki Minaj
Wide Awake - Katy Perry (cool down/warm up)
**The absolute essential songs to make me move these days.

Don't forget to leave a comment on yesterday's post to win a Beaufort bonnet or Beaufort bucket hat from The Beaufort Bonnet Company!

*This post is day 17 in my 31 Days of What Matters.