Labor Day Leisure

It is Labor Day weekend (hard to believe) and we are taking it easy for a change; well, sort of easy. On Saturday, we took Evelyn to Faust Park to ride the famous carousel and visit the Butterfly House. She had a great time riding the carousel and chasing the butterflies. Daddy's good friend, Todd, came up for a visit. They went to a John McCain rally on Sunday. Mommy and Evelyn would have gone, but Evelyn has had an upset stomach and Mommy didn't feel comfortable taking her. As of now, there aren't big plans for Labor Day other than visit with the neighbors at an annual gathering. Hope everyone had a wonderful and leisurely Labor Day!

What's Going Been Going On?

It has been a few weeks since we lasted posted because we have been a family on the go! After the haircut, we traveled to Hayti to visit family. While there, we visited the Urgent Care as Evelyn developed a large lump from a mosquito bite. Turns out that she is a child who will swell with bites and can have infections as a result (totally worries Mommy). The following weekend, we packed up and headed north to Wisconsin to visit The Grandfather. While there, we visited the Milwaukee City Museum, the Jelly Belly factory, and a local waterpark. Evelyn LOVED the waterpark--especially the small yellow slide! Daddy could barely keep up with our little fish! Once home, Mommy started back to work and Daddy is starting law school once again. So, in a nutshell, that is what has been going on around here!

Snip Snip

Evelyn had her very first haircut today! At 12:30, we went to a children's hair studio called The Hairy Elephant. Prior to being called back, Evelyn enjoyed playing with the Legos and various other toys. Then, Miss Jessica called us back to the chair, which was an airplane. Evelyn really enjoyed trying to "fly" the plane! Miss Jessica put a Baby Einstein video in and began snipping away at Evelyn's hair. Mommy did tear up at the first snip, but Evelyn handled it all like a pro. Miss Jessica informed Mommy that Evelyn has fine hair, but that it will probably thicken as the back seems to have quite a bit of hair. At the end, Evelyn got to choose two white ladybug barrettes to put into her hair. Miss Jessica gave Mommy a certificate with Evelyn's picture and a lock of hair to commemorate the occasion.

Gotcha Day

It is so hard for us to believe, but yesterday was Evelyn's first Gotcha Day celebration. For the life of us, we can't remember where the past year has gone! At 11:15, Rob called home to ask if I remembered what we were doing at that very moment one year ago. We were holding our little angel for the first time in LAX. When I think back to the moment we first saw and held her, I am overcome with the same emotions all over again. I remember how tiny she was and the smile that came over her face when she saw us. Fast forward to one year later, and that same sweet smile is there (only with some teeth now). We celebrated the occasion with our good friends, the Paynes, at Han Gook Kwan; which is a local Korean restaurant. Evelyn enjoyed eating the sprouts and dak bulgogi. Afterwards, we headed over to the Asian Market to buy some sweet treats. Our final stop for the night was for some ice cream. Evelyn shared some with her Daddy. As I watch her toddle around, I say a prayer of thankfulness for God allowing us to be her parents. We are so blessed to have this sweet miracle in our lives. Happy Gotcha Day, Evelyn!

Grant's Farm

On Saturday morning, we headed to South County to visit Grant's Farm. The morning was cloudy and cool (for this time of year)as we pulled into the parking lot. It was 9:00 a.m. so there wasn't the normal large crowd yet. Evelyn LOVED riding the tram around the property and getting to see the deer and various other creatures up close. Once we got off the tram, Evelyn watched the baby goats being fed, the tortoises drinking water, and even discovered the answer to the question, "Why did the chicken cross the road?" (A: To see Evelyn up close!) She enjoyed watching the African elephants and the famous Clydesdales; however, she was a little intimidated by their size. Before leaving the Farm, Evelyn met a children's author named Byron von Rosenberg. He read one of his stories to her and we purchased a copy of the book, which he personalized. We headed out around 11:00 a.m., just as the sun began to peak from the clouds and tour buses full of people began to pull in to the Farm. It was a fun-filled morning for the Simmons' family!

Step By Step

July 15, 2008 at 5:30 p.m., Evelyn took her first independent steps! We were in the kitchen and she had cruised her way over to the laundry room door. As I turned around from the sink, I watched as she turned herself around and took two independent steps towards the kitchen chair! I could hardly believe my eyes! Mommy rushed over to her and praised her beyond all belief. Then, I scooped her up and ran outside to where Daddy was mowing the yard to share the good news. This was a moment we have long waited for as she has only been willing to walk as long as someone was holding her hand. Let the independent toddling begin!

Weekend Getaway

Over the weekend, we headed out of town to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city life. It was a much needed break for us all--especially Daddy. It was a four hour drive to Lake Barkley in KY. This area is very special to us as Murray State is where Rob and I met. We stayed at a B&B named Harbor House and it was a beautiful old home built in 1730 that overlooks the lake. Our good friends Rick and Amy Casey along with Gibby and his new wife, Laci met us there. We spent Friday on the boat out on the lake. Evelyn donned her life vest that we purchased for her. Bless her heart, she struggled to move around in it much, but at least she was safe! The next day, we went to a cookout by the lake with Rick and Amy's families. Evelyn dipped her toes into the lake to cool off and later spent time on the playground nearby. Then, Sunday morning, Mommy and Evelyn took an early morning stroll lakeside. The morning was cool and a little misty, but the air was filled with the smell of a campfire burning. Mommy's mind was flooded with wonderful memories of going camping with her family as a little girl. I hope that someday, Evelyn will have the same fond memories of her childhood. This weekend was definitely a good start to creating them!