I should have some fab-o pic to put here but I don't.
If you are ever in Charleston, don't listen to Old Man on the plane next to me giving advice to the inbound ladies group. Skip Hyman's unless you really really love fried Seafood. And if you do, go to the Wreck of Richard and Charlene or something like that in Mt Pleasant.
Here are my Top 5 after MUCH trial and error:
1. The Fat Hen on John's Island. Hands down. Our fave.
2. Magnolia's = awesome spot + designed for visitors = perfect!
3. Coast Restaurant (seafood). But don't order the whole trout. It comes as a whole trout (eyeball and all). But you have to sit outside and enjoy the VERY Charleston ivy/brick building/gate view. It's right behind Rue de Jean (and I think owned by the same people) which we found to be good but not outstanding. However, many consider it to be outstanding. Guess we ordered the wrong thing.
4. For brunch: 3 Little Birds behind the Windermere center in West Ashley. Small and quaint and I'd challenge you to find a better fresh omelet.
5. Red Drum Gastropub = for the 30-40-something bar crowd with excellent food (in Mt. Pleasant). It labels itself TexMex but nobody outside Texas really knows what Tex Mex is. That said, the food is great and there's fun live music and a hoppin' atmosphere.
Runner up: Visit the Old Village in Mt. Pleasant. Southern Living is always talking about Pitt St. and the Pharmacy, but you cannot go wrong with a girls' lunch at the Village Bakery on Pitt Street with a quick stop at the Out of Hand Boutique a few doors down. Great views as you walk around, great lunch stop. Part of the Dine with Sal (you can google it) chain, ALL of their restaurants are great.
So there's what I've learned. I still have a few more stops to check out, and of course, for the over 21 crowd: do not miss the experience of the roof top bars near the waterfront (i.e., Vendue Inn) for exceptional views and atmosphere. Who cares about the food.
Do a carriage tour to get a quick overview of the important history (and there are PLENTY of landmarks if you are so interested) and if you are there between May and October on a Wednesday night, enjoy the Wine Strolls for phenomenal value out at Middleton Plantation. Uberesque Charleston views and atmosphere there.
That is what I learned in Charleston! Have a strange feeling you may not see such a list after our time in Mongtgomery, AL but that's OK. We will all be together for a year and that's so great for us right now as a family. Cheers :)
4.05.2011
Life Back to Normal
Jesse is back from 3 months in DC and thankfully, life is back to normal. My "treat" is that Kaitlin and I get to travel for a girls trip to Houston coming up. This is great but it's on Southwest and I will admit that I hate Jack-in-the-boxes to start with and I certainly don't want to become one lest part of the plane fly off like they are doing lately. I guess we should dress warm--30K feet is COLD.
In other big news, we're moving! So much for normal. Off to Montgomery, AL for one year starting sometime in July (our current house = the two story; our new one is the other one). You might roll your eyes (I did) at the idea of Montgomery, plus we will go crazy without half our family there, but we are super excited about our neighborhood--LOTS of people are also there for just a year so I have a feeling it's going to be the SAHM version of dorm life. Yay! Lots of great amenities within spitting distance which will be a nice change. Things in Charleston, though nothing is technically far by big city standards, tend to be spread out a bit more.
Kaitlin is wrapping up K4 and is full up reading. Slowly, still, but it was like a light just clicked on inside her head one day and off she went. She read the word 'Jerusalem' in an Easter book without missing a beat and I almost passed out. Do they whip them at this school to get them progressing so fast?! I was a fairly early reader--and that was mid-late K5/Kindergarten. It's crazy. Her Elementary school in Alabama where she will attend Kindergarten has the Aviators as their mascot. How appropriate and fun!
Carson is presently playing on his sit and spin and using it to climb on to reach things he shouldn't. He's at that age where he does a lot of things he shouldn't. Removing all the outlet safety plugs, pegging his sister in the head with a hard ball, climbing on everything, throwing food, name it. He is ready for swim season and it's going to take my full attention to keep him above water. Not so much like his sister in the fear department--he has none. But he loves his "La La" as he calls her. And he is my happy boy. We were listening to the Comedy Channel the other day on the radio--he was laughing and clapping with the audience. I love that. We are about to pack up and sell his baby bedding and move him (when we move) into a more "big boy" motif. Pastel lambs only cut it for so long. I can't believe that stage is already passing. TOO Fast.
So there is our update. We are madly eating our way around Charleston, (with the super fun help of my parents a couple weeks ago!), frustrated we did not appreciate this food when we first got here. Now we "get it" and LOVE all this lowcountry grub. So go enjoy some grits w/bacon and cheese!
In other big news, we're moving! So much for normal. Off to Montgomery, AL for one year starting sometime in July (our current house = the two story; our new one is the other one). You might roll your eyes (I did) at the idea of Montgomery, plus we will go crazy without half our family there, but we are super excited about our neighborhood--LOTS of people are also there for just a year so I have a feeling it's going to be the SAHM version of dorm life. Yay! Lots of great amenities within spitting distance which will be a nice change. Things in Charleston, though nothing is technically far by big city standards, tend to be spread out a bit more.
Kaitlin is wrapping up K4 and is full up reading. Slowly, still, but it was like a light just clicked on inside her head one day and off she went. She read the word 'Jerusalem' in an Easter book without missing a beat and I almost passed out. Do they whip them at this school to get them progressing so fast?! I was a fairly early reader--and that was mid-late K5/Kindergarten. It's crazy. Her Elementary school in Alabama where she will attend Kindergarten has the Aviators as their mascot. How appropriate and fun!
Carson is presently playing on his sit and spin and using it to climb on to reach things he shouldn't. He's at that age where he does a lot of things he shouldn't. Removing all the outlet safety plugs, pegging his sister in the head with a hard ball, climbing on everything, throwing food, name it. He is ready for swim season and it's going to take my full attention to keep him above water. Not so much like his sister in the fear department--he has none. But he loves his "La La" as he calls her. And he is my happy boy. We were listening to the Comedy Channel the other day on the radio--he was laughing and clapping with the audience. I love that. We are about to pack up and sell his baby bedding and move him (when we move) into a more "big boy" motif. Pastel lambs only cut it for so long. I can't believe that stage is already passing. TOO Fast.
So there is our update. We are madly eating our way around Charleston, (with the super fun help of my parents a couple weeks ago!), frustrated we did not appreciate this food when we first got here. Now we "get it" and LOVE all this lowcountry grub. So go enjoy some grits w/bacon and cheese!
2.11.2011
Back in DC - LONG read. For a blog.
So this past week the kids and I spent with Jesse back in DC--LOVE IT. I think I'm the only military wife I know that doesn't groan when their other half receives the 'dreaded' assignment to the Pentagon/greater-DC area. Too bad it's very temporary this time. My love for DC...maybe it's because J had it easy the first time around at the Pentagon with fabulous leadership and great co-workers, or maybe it's that I prefer the Pentagon-schedule-craziness to the flying-"schedule"-craziness. Or maybe it's that I now have an appreciation for more ethnic foods and now we drive past these hole-in-the-wall-Moroccan places and I think "STOP!!! I really want to try that place!" Or it could be as simple as Trader Joe's.
But being back here....there is a palpable energy, a sense that what you are doing really does matter to the rest of the nation and maybe even the rest of the world. Even as a Mom. WHAT?!? YES! Even as a stay-at-home, doing nothing-more-significant-than-laundry Mom. Laundry Mom who watches over Fairfax Street in bustling Arlington (Ballston/VA Square area) from her 6th story apartment window and sinisterly laughs at the pedestrian commuters who chance it, jaywalking, and darned near get pummeled by cars. On the ice. Really, I've seen a few close ones and as sick as this is, I laugh to myself as I imagine my frantic 9-1-1 call. "He went. He really thought he could do it. But not so much." Had I thought to bring a good camera, I'd take pictures so you'd believe me. I really would invite you over for a glass of wine and some Frogger.
The only downside is of course, the traffic. I read directions to somewhere I was going the otheday, and I quote: "Drive 0.8 miles and at the SEVENTH [emphasis mine] light turn right."
Ok, it's not a quote directly but it's at best a slight exaggerations and it made me shake my head and say "only in DC...."
Meanwhile, Kaitlin is reading some of Carson's books all by herself (WHO taught her to read?!? Don't they know that means I can't spell naughty stuff in front of her anymore?!?). And in the car yesterday, she busted out the word "exasperated." I'm not even sure I spelled it right, but she used it perfectly in context. When questioned, she admitted she heard it from Donald Duck. Don't you hippies try to guilt me out of letting my kids watch the Disney Channel (Disney Jr starts Monday! "Valemtine's Day!" Kaitlin has no idea what that means but I've been directed to Tivo EVERYTHING!!)
Last, we are off to Georgetown Cupcake tomorrow (of TLC's DC Cupcakes fame.) Wish we had time for the Baltimore commute to Charm City Cakes (if you don't know who Duff Goldman is, I'm not sure we can be friends) but since I don't have Jesse or the kids' interest on snapping a photo from the street after an hour's drive, I guess Georgetown will have to do. Bummer? Nah, I can still get a killer cupcake. Pics next blog.
But being back here....there is a palpable energy, a sense that what you are doing really does matter to the rest of the nation and maybe even the rest of the world. Even as a Mom. WHAT?!? YES! Even as a stay-at-home, doing nothing-more-significant-than-laundry Mom. Laundry Mom who watches over Fairfax Street in bustling Arlington (Ballston/VA Square area) from her 6th story apartment window and sinisterly laughs at the pedestrian commuters who chance it, jaywalking, and darned near get pummeled by cars. On the ice. Really, I've seen a few close ones and as sick as this is, I laugh to myself as I imagine my frantic 9-1-1 call. "He went. He really thought he could do it. But not so much." Had I thought to bring a good camera, I'd take pictures so you'd believe me. I really would invite you over for a glass of wine and some Frogger.
The only downside is of course, the traffic. I read directions to somewhere I was going the otheday, and I quote: "Drive 0.8 miles and at the SEVENTH [emphasis mine] light turn right."
Ok, it's not a quote directly but it's at best a slight exaggerations and it made me shake my head and say "only in DC...."
Meanwhile, Kaitlin is reading some of Carson's books all by herself (WHO taught her to read?!? Don't they know that means I can't spell naughty stuff in front of her anymore?!?). And in the car yesterday, she busted out the word "exasperated." I'm not even sure I spelled it right, but she used it perfectly in context. When questioned, she admitted she heard it from Donald Duck. Don't you hippies try to guilt me out of letting my kids watch the Disney Channel (Disney Jr starts Monday! "Valemtine's Day!" Kaitlin has no idea what that means but I've been directed to Tivo EVERYTHING!!)
Last, we are off to Georgetown Cupcake tomorrow (of TLC's DC Cupcakes fame.) Wish we had time for the Baltimore commute to Charm City Cakes (if you don't know who Duff Goldman is, I'm not sure we can be friends) but since I don't have Jesse or the kids' interest on snapping a photo from the street after an hour's drive, I guess Georgetown will have to do. Bummer? Nah, I can still get a killer cupcake. Pics next blog.
12.20.2010
The Truth Hurts
Me: Kaitlin, do you smell that? Did Carson poop?
Kaitlin: No, Mommy, I think it's your coffee breath.
Ouch.
Off to furiously scrub my teeth.
NOTE: And for the record, it WAS Carson ;)
Kaitlin: No, Mommy, I think it's your coffee breath.
Ouch.
Off to furiously scrub my teeth.
NOTE: And for the record, it WAS Carson ;)
12.07.2010
Wise Words From a Friend Today
Especially in this should-be-joyful season:
"We are not called human doings, we are human BEings."
Lord, help me to BE, to be present, with my family, my friends, and with You as we celebrate the birth of Christ, your provision, and this life you have given to us.
"We are not called human doings, we are human BEings."
Lord, help me to BE, to be present, with my family, my friends, and with You as we celebrate the birth of Christ, your provision, and this life you have given to us.
11.28.2010
Learning is SO hard when you are in your 30's
Therefore, I can't imagine what 10 more years of mommy brain and wine will do to me in my 40's. Ya'll talk to me while I still can.
I lost my "Cutest Blog on the Block" page set up for this blog and had to find a new one. Then nothing was working right and all my links were messed up. Hopefully I fixed them, but when you have three rears to wipe, time is of the essence.
Sooo....since August and the last pics were of Carson's First Birthday. Kaitlin started school at James Island Christian School, a private K-12 school. If you know anything about SC, you know to be weary of their public schools! I think they rank about 48th in the nation. I'd like her to read before 8th grade, so we decided on a private school where she could remain with the same friends as long as we remain here in SC. The less changes, sometimes, the better.
My parents drove all the way out from Texas in their cozy new car (NOT that I'm jealous...) in September and we enjoyed the second Charleston visit much better than the first. It's always great when you can not do all the "mandatory tourist stuff" and instead do whatever the heck you want to do and love. To that end, we shopped and ate at least 4 or 5 different places in search of Charleston's best crabcakes. So far Magnolia's is a fave all around. My kids just eat up the attention of grandparents and love any day that is different from the norm. Kaitlin had a hard time playing hookey from school, but she caught on and handled it well in the end ;)
The kids dressed up as Dorothy and the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz for Halloween--Carson did great! He is full up walking and loved eating his candy. Paper wrappers and all. Kaitlin is finally brave enough for big inflatable slides and such; she turned 5 on Nov 8th. Carson is, too. He turned 1 on August 5th. We definitely see two different personalities there. Kaitlin would be told "no" and just calmly adn respectfully obey. Carson gets his kicks out of playing the harmonica and disobeying and pulling all the outlet covers out. Nonetheless, he is a funny little guy and keeps us both on our toes and laughing. They are both healthy (well, minus little colds right now) and we are indeed blessed.
November we enjoyed celebrating Kaitln's Birthday with both school friends and old friends at the Little Gym and she loved it. She loves being five and with that has come the sillies. Full on, girlie giggling sillies. That I was not ready for but we laugh anyways. How can you not?!? We also enjoyed a beautiful Thanksgiving meal at our inlaws' home and loved being part of that big group and for the kids to see 3 of their 4 Baker aunties and also one of the auntie's fiancee and his family. Plus I had a friend join us so it was a huge group, lots of amazing food, and as always my inlaws are gracious hostesses and just love my kiddos (and us!) to death and are showing us that love all the time. Thanks guys :)
So we are ready to enter December with all of the joy and craziness it brings. I am long overdue for a trip back home and am looking forward to that. As Jesse ages in Air Force years (not much different than dog years), we know an assignment is possible anytime after the two year point, which for us, is this February. So we wait and imagine the possibilities of what could come next and still try to be thankful for where we are and the many, many, many blessings God has chosen to give us. May you, and may we, always see them as such. Happy beginnning-to-the-Holiday-season!!
I lost my "Cutest Blog on the Block" page set up for this blog and had to find a new one. Then nothing was working right and all my links were messed up. Hopefully I fixed them, but when you have three rears to wipe, time is of the essence.
Sooo....since August and the last pics were of Carson's First Birthday. Kaitlin started school at James Island Christian School, a private K-12 school. If you know anything about SC, you know to be weary of their public schools! I think they rank about 48th in the nation. I'd like her to read before 8th grade, so we decided on a private school where she could remain with the same friends as long as we remain here in SC. The less changes, sometimes, the better.
My parents drove all the way out from Texas in their cozy new car (NOT that I'm jealous...) in September and we enjoyed the second Charleston visit much better than the first. It's always great when you can not do all the "mandatory tourist stuff" and instead do whatever the heck you want to do and love. To that end, we shopped and ate at least 4 or 5 different places in search of Charleston's best crabcakes. So far Magnolia's is a fave all around. My kids just eat up the attention of grandparents and love any day that is different from the norm. Kaitlin had a hard time playing hookey from school, but she caught on and handled it well in the end ;)
The kids dressed up as Dorothy and the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz for Halloween--Carson did great! He is full up walking and loved eating his candy. Paper wrappers and all. Kaitlin is finally brave enough for big inflatable slides and such; she turned 5 on Nov 8th. Carson is, too. He turned 1 on August 5th. We definitely see two different personalities there. Kaitlin would be told "no" and just calmly adn respectfully obey. Carson gets his kicks out of playing the harmonica and disobeying and pulling all the outlet covers out. Nonetheless, he is a funny little guy and keeps us both on our toes and laughing. They are both healthy (well, minus little colds right now) and we are indeed blessed.
November we enjoyed celebrating Kaitln's Birthday with both school friends and old friends at the Little Gym and she loved it. She loves being five and with that has come the sillies. Full on, girlie giggling sillies. That I was not ready for but we laugh anyways. How can you not?!? We also enjoyed a beautiful Thanksgiving meal at our inlaws' home and loved being part of that big group and for the kids to see 3 of their 4 Baker aunties and also one of the auntie's fiancee and his family. Plus I had a friend join us so it was a huge group, lots of amazing food, and as always my inlaws are gracious hostesses and just love my kiddos (and us!) to death and are showing us that love all the time. Thanks guys :)
So we are ready to enter December with all of the joy and craziness it brings. I am long overdue for a trip back home and am looking forward to that. As Jesse ages in Air Force years (not much different than dog years), we know an assignment is possible anytime after the two year point, which for us, is this February. So we wait and imagine the possibilities of what could come next and still try to be thankful for where we are and the many, many, many blessings God has chosen to give us. May you, and may we, always see them as such. Happy beginnning-to-the-Holiday-season!!
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