Bowlin Beige

It's hard to believe my little girls is now 3 years old. Where did the time go? This past weekend we celebrated with a fun birthday party (after a busy morning of soccer class and a dance recital)! We rented a moon bounce, easily one of our best ideas ever! The kids were entertained, the adults could visit, and all were exhausted by the end of the night. Ainsley had such a good time playing in the moon bounce and running around the yard with her friends. Now a little look down memory lane as we celebrate 3 years with a special little bug. Ainsley Mae Bowlin, born May 21, 2009. Trying cereal for the first time! 6 months old. First Christmas - 2009 Baptism and 1st Birthday - May 2010 Quite a sassy 16-month old! Halloween 2010 (her first time trick-or-treating!) Second Christmas 2010 in Tennessee 2nd Birthday Party - Enjoying some icing! Pawley's Island with family - Summer 2011 Just chillin' at the lake! September 2011 Ove...

Even though Parker's personality has not yet completely developed, it is quite clear that he takes after his daddy. Ainsley, even from an early age, was a very active child. Well, active is a nice way to put it. Hyperactive is more accurate. She never stops moving - always bouncing from one thing to the next (her sitter calls her Tigger). She is a little version of me, much like I am a version of my father. Parker, thankfully, appears to have taken after Eric - laid back, happy to relax, and LOVES to sleep. As much as I appreciate my daughter's limitless energy, I don't think I could keep up with two Tiggers! Parker, my handsome little man, is always ready to sleep. Much like his daddy, if Parker doesn't get enough sleep he is very grumpy. He'll put on a happy face and tolerate the day, but he is really just looking forward to his next nap. He's going to spend the next several years just trying to keep up with his big sister, but for now he's happy to sleep ...

Last night was the dress rehearsal for Ainsley's dance recital. I must admit that I was not very optimistic going in to it. Put a bunch of two year olds in big scratchy costumes and then throw them on a stage in front of an audience and bright lights? I was fully prepared to watch her stand on stage and pick her nose for 5 minutes. While we were waiting for them to come on stage I was talking with another mom about the ridiculousness of their costumes. Gloves? For two-year olds? Do you have any idea how long it takes to get gloves on those little fingers? The sequins lining the sleeves and neckline were the biggest problem - they scratched her skin and caused several screams and tears. We were supposed to put some make-up on them ("so they don't get washed out under those bright lights"). I was hesitant to say the least - she's two! I had visions in my head of those crazy beauty contest moms who put pounds of make-up on their babies. But I didn't want her to b...

Our friends often refer to "Bowlin Beige" as something plain or boring. It is, in fact, very descriptive of our home. The floors are various colors of beige and cream, our furniture is almost entirely solid colors featuring earth tones of brown, sand, olive, and most of our walls are...well, you get the picture. We aren't exactly risk-takers (I married an auditor, what do you expect?) Although we don't experiment much with our decorating, we have learned to find other ways of letting loose and getting a little more crazy - especially with our children! As I struggle to find the right balance of being a good mother, a loving and supportive wife, a productive employee, and a loyal friend, I sometimes get lost in the chaos and forget to appreciate and enjoy the simple moments. Here is my opportunity to share some stories from our everyday beige life with family and friends.