The Sharp Family

{Happy Birthday To You}

{The Dinosaur Birthday}

Party for Two

Jackson turns THREE and Rayburn turns TWO!
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{It all started with the invitation....}
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{Guest followed the sign to the dig}

{The Cakes}

Heather did a wonderful job on the cakes--exactly what I requested!

And as always absolutely delicious!

{And the party begins-Rayburn}
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{The Sharp Excavation Site}

Which included hidden fossils, bones and a dino skull! How neat!

{Jackson with a dump truck full of dino bones!}

{Party Guest--Ms. Lillian}

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{Excavation Site--Party Guest Braeden brings in the big

equipment for some serious digging!}

{Party Guest-Ms. Reese}

{It's Gift Time}

Look at my little man's grin--he definitely knows what is about to happen!

{Check Out My Helicopter Mom!}

{The End }

Evacuated--But ready to go back home!

Because of GUSTAV (and the mental scars left by Katrina) we left our home Saturday evening to head for my sister-in-laws home in Southhaven, MS (just south of Memphis, TN). After a very long and tiresome journey we finally arrived 8 hours later (this is normally a five hour trip). We finally received damage reports from my dearest husband(whom I miss soooo much right now), who stayed back home (because of work), --My moms house did have minor tree damage but everyone else seemed to do just fine!!! Hope all is well for everyone else:) I don't know about everyone else who evacuated but I am so ready to go back HOME!!! I know we still do not have power and St. Tammany Parish is officially closed for re-entry at this time--but I could so get in my car and drive the 5 hours it takes right at this moment!!!! I am just so anxious about what is going on and it is getting more difficult to get in touch with my husband and other family members on cell phones. Can't wait to get home--everyone stay safe.

One more thing, even though it was nothing like Katrina--I am so glad we did not stay at home with my 2-year old and 3-year old!

mandy

New Additions to Our Family!

These two beta fish are now the newest additions to The Sharp Family. May I introduce to you Lighting McQueen Sharp (Red Fish) and King Sharp or Doc Sharp (Blue Fish)!

Jackson and Mimi went to the pet store the other day and this is what Mimi (my dearest younger sister--the middle one) decided my children needed. FISH! That is just what I need something else to feed and take care of. Anyway the kids are having the best time just staring at them b/c that is all you can do with fish--RIGHT?

CAN ANYONE GUESS OUR FAVORITE MOVIE?

mandy

My two little men....

I had to post these pics--it is very rare that these two actually smile at the camera. I think they have to be the most adorable boys in the world!!!!!! Check out the cheetos on the face.

I know this pic is almost identical to the one above, but I had to post it. For those who know about Rayburn's little teeth accident (and for those who don't) check out the chip in this open mouth smile!!!!! It just adds a little more character.

Boys Will Be Boys...

Check out Jackson's face in this pic!

A day after a lot of rain--my "boys" (my husband, jackson and rayburn) decided what better to do than to ride the four wheeler through lots and lots of water. They had the best time going through the same puddles over and over again. This is why we moved to the "country"!!! Could you see them trying to do this in our old neighborhood--not a chance.

Rainy Day Play Outdoors!

Something about this pic of Rayburn is so adorable--I am not sure if it is the dirt all over his legs or the cut under his eye--but he just looks so cute! It rained on and off today so we did not get much time outdoors until late this evening--which was probably for the best because the heat and humidity were almost unbearable! Well, when we finally did make it outdoors this it what one of the two (the one that actually does not mind me taking his pic) ended up looking like. One cut under the eye (crash with dump truck), a cut lip (slipped on the steps trying to get to the slide) and a lot of mud later...he relaxes with his sippy cup!

Check-out the wet, dirty pants and the navy crocs--they look a little black from all the dirt!

Tennis 101...Sharp Style!

The tennis lessons begin! Jackson decided about a week ago that he wanted to play tennis--I was so EXCITED! You see I played tennis in high school, a little in college and after college, actually until I was about 5 months pregnant with Jackson (the belly kinda got in the way)! My husband however has a different opinion of tennis--he really thinks that our boys should not play that it is baseball all the WAY! Well, as for now I will enjoy my time with the boys and tennis--so our lesson starts....

We first practice how to stand, hold the racket, etc. Then it is time to hit the ball...wow with a little assistance from mom to get the feel of a swing he hits it...

but into the net it goes. That's ok though--he was just so excited to hit the ball. Oh by the way they both looked adorable with their little itty bitty tennis rackets!

We try again..look at that follow through--mommy is so proud! This ball went over the net!!!! I think he is a natural!

Of course I could not leave out my little man--he did so well! He actually listened to mommy and did exactly what I said--WOW! Here he is hitting his first ball--check out his face, so excited!

And now the follow-through, what a WONDERFUL follow through!! Maybe I'm partial because it is my son, but to bad he's the next Pete Sampras/Andre Agassi of my days of watching tennis! We had so much fun playing tennis, I think we will definitely go back this week and try some more swings! Did I mention, I LOVE TENNIS!!!!!!!!! Oh one more thing, all of this wonderful instruction was complete in less than 30 minutes!!!!

Another Sharp Adventure...Gulfport, MS

Just another adventure this summer--Jackson was pointing to an airplane, the airport in Gulfport is not far from the beach, so you can actually see the "big planes" flying in and out!

I love this pic of Rayburn! Very focused on digging in the sand!

Bringing mommy the sand that he has in his shovel--my little boy is bringing his not so sandy mom a present! How sweet!

This is what boys do on the beach--make tracks!

My waterbug loves to lay in the water and let the waves just roll in under him!

Making Cupcakes 101

First, Jackson adds the oil--while Rayburn the assistant watches patiently for his turn or maybe just to lick the bowl!!

Add the eggs,

Mix it up,

Then enjoy! I know you bake or something in there somewhere, right? They take after their mommy way to much and just forget the baking, lets go for the bowl!

And enjoy a little more! Just another day at The Sharp House or for those who know me pretty well The Sharp "Temporary" House!!!!!!

Audubon Aquarium of the Americas

We decided to take a little adventure across the "really, really long bridge" to visit some "fishes" at the aquarium a few weekends ago--here are a few pics from our trip:

I think they stood at this window for about 15 minutes, (hmmm...I wonder what they were thinking?)

In the Amazon Jungle--touring the treehouse with Daddy!

Jackson got to pet a SHARK!!!! He was so excited!!

Check out that alligator--he did not move the entire time! Is it real?

Oh, by the way--after we left the aquarium we decided to walk along the Riverfront of the Mississippi River so Jackson and Rayburn could look at the "big boats". Well, the reason we have no pics of this excursion is because as we were taking our leisurely stroll down the river a wonderful summer storm came across the river and SOAKED US--we ended up under some random pavillion, with some very RANDOM people(you know what kind of people I am talking about--we are on the riverfront in New Orleans). Needless to say we all walked away a little wet, but with our lives and all of our belongings!!!!! It was now time for lunch at Landry's Seafood-mmmm....mmmm...good! After lunch our next stop was the NEW and OH SO COOL INSECTARIUM!!!!!!

Audubon Insectarium

This is the entrance to our next adventure--As an interior designer, this space from the beginning to end is a wonderful experience. The kids had a blast and found all of the BUGS very interesting--even my hubby and I learned a lot from all of the BUGS!

Jackson watching the Leafcutter ants hard at work--very cool exhibit! It is like a giant ant farm, showing the ants from cutting the leaves to bringing the leaves up a tree and into their mumble abode!!! (Oh-check out the wet shirt! Another southern shower released itself as we were walking the two blocks from Landry's to the Insectarium!

I know this pic is sideways--but Jackson and Rayburn were "learning" about a type of caterpillar that is native to our area and turns into this really ugly moth! I Love it--they are actually paying attention to something other than that purple dinosaur or that "cheeky" little blue engine!

The picture of the butterfly is from the Butterfly Garden--you first have to go through this really bizarre air chamber to make sure that the butterflies do not escape. Then once inside it is wonderful, a little warm and humid (hmmm..sounds familiar, something we in the south should all be to familiar with!) The butterflies are flying everywhere--One thing I did learn in the butterfly garden that I did not know--butterflies can be aggressive! A little in front of us was "attacked" by a bright blue butterfly--who would of thought it!!!! Well, all in all our trip to the "big city" for the today was wonderful, a little wet--but fun!!!!