Red Belt!!

So I am totally skipping aroud a bit but I wanted to share a great accomplishment with everyone...I received my red belt in Tae Kwon Do!!  I am considered a "high belt" in class now and must focus to set an example for new kids and those working towards their red and black stripe belts like me.  I must earn all 4 tips and then I get my black stripe belt!!!!

A fun day with Didi & Grandaddy!!

Friday I got to spend the day at the Tennessee aquarium with Didi and Grandaddy...we had a blast!  I love the touch tanks, stingrays and sharks were available to touch.  We also loved the bird show as well as the butterfly garden.  The jellyfish tanks are always one of my favorite things at an aquarium but the penguins really stole the show!!  

Birthday party #2...

...was in Tennessee and it was a pirate party!!  Unfortunately it was an outdoor pool party and it rained about 2 1/2 of the 3 hours but no worries cause the crowd I had were the best mateys ever.  There was no lightening or thunder so everyone was eager to swim as planned!!  I also had my first pinata, that was super fun but a bit more difficult to bust open than i anticipated.  Aaaaarrrgh, what an awesome time I have had turning 5!

More fun with Charlotte here for my bday weekend!!

and now I am 5!!!

So I cannot put into words how special this weekend has been as I celebrated turning 5!  Friday night me, Mommy and Daddy headed out and I had no idea where we were going...we ended up at the airport and I simply asked "did we forget our bags"??  A few minutes later Charlotte and her Mommy were riding down the escalator!!  I have missed them so very much and feel so blessed that they came all this way from Connecticut to celebrate my big day.  I am posting pics from today first and will recount this weekend a bit backwards.  WE HAD SO MUCH FUN!!!!!!!
Today we had a special brunch at the Ritz-Carlton in Charlotte, went for a quick swim and then headed to the airport for their return flight.  Such an amazing day!

Check out my new bike!!

check it out...no training wheels and a "handstand"...aka kickstand!!

celebrating turning 5...party #1!!

Yesterday was soooo much fun!!  I had a party at Ray's Splash Planet with my friends from school, Tae Kwon Do and the neighborhood.  I am super glad Mommy had an "inside" plan as it was 100 plus degrees yesterday...ugh!  Thanks to all my special friends for celebrating with me!!

4th of July celebrations!!

we started out the day at the Tega Cay parade around 9:30am...it was really alot of fun.  We found a great place to stand in the shade and I got lots of candy, a patriotic Popsicle and even a fresh baked chocolate chip cookie!!  It was also Tega Cay's 30th birthday so the crowd was very enthusiastic.  I continued with the red, white & blue theme as we went to the pool after a rain shower passed.  The pool was not crowded which is nice sometimes.  Anyway, check me out in the video throwing some fire crackers!!  Later, around 9:15 me and Daddy went to the fireworks show(Mommy was stuck with the dogs cause they are super scared)...Daddy said it was the best fireworks he has ever seen and I agree!!

thought i would share our version of animal kingdom...

we are enjoying all the beautiful animals our new bird feeders are bringing to 1420 Finsbury Lane!!

where else ya gonna be...

...when it is between 102-107 degrees??  Whew has it certainly been hot here in SC but I am happy to cool off in the pool.  We cannot stay more than about an hour and 1/2 cause Mommy says there is not a sunscreen on the market powerful enough to fight the rays when it is this hot.  
I wanted to add for those paying attention and noticed my swim cap that this was my Dad's from highschool!!  I have really been wanting a swim cap since I watched the swim team practice and Mommy ran across these while gathering things for goodwill.  Daddy was sure they would fall apart but oh no, I have had them on for 3 days now....