THE LAST WEEKEND OF AUGUST...

...was so lovely! We spent the day together Saturday, uninterrupted by work, and most of the day Sunday hanging out with your dad! He had to work all day Saturday on a shoot, so we had some quality mommy-Maeve time! We met grandma at NCMA (my favorite museum in the triangle) and took one of the museum's guided tours. I've been going to the museum since I was a little girl, but never took a guided tour. I was reluctant at first, only because I thought you might get bored or fussy, but with grandma's encouragement we took the tour. And it was great. Half of it took place outside, so you were in your element (you love the outdoors). And you loved people watching while we toured the West Building.

You didn't really get into the art until we went into the older East Building where you, truly, listened intently to our guide talk about Rabble, a sculpture made of mechanized butterflies hanging from the ceiling. You were so into it.

After the tour we walked around a bit more, worked up an appetite, and had lunch at Iris, the museum restaurant. Grandma and I took turns feeding you from your bottle and sharing bites of a savory cheesecake with smoked salmon. It turned out to be such a great day!

When we got up Sunday morning your dad had already left for his shoot so we listened to Christmas music (our favorite) in bed and sang songs before your bath and breakfast. Your dad got home around lunchtime so the three of us walked to Weaver Street where we met up with grams and grandpa and listened to some live music. Afterwards we walked to the toy store where you picked out a new rattle!

The rest of our day was pretty mellow. I made a peach cobbler with the peaches you picked out at the farmers' market last week and your dad made a big batch of spaghetti. We swung by uncle Taylor and Aunt Gina's house and you got to see Isla and Louis for a bit. They gave you a half birthday present, which was so sweet! We're looking forward to spending more time with them this week!

Back at home we served you sweet potato for dinner. You made a yuck! face but kept eating. And kept eating. And kept eating. We think sweet potato is your favorite food so far! We are so proud of you. Oh, and your enthusiasm earned you a second bath for the day! Both you and I somehow ended up with sweet potato in our hair so it was completely necessary.

Summer is winding down, Maeve, and it feels bittersweet. There's so much to look forward to this fall (your first Thanksgiving and Halloween, long walks in the brisk air!) but sometimes I just wish I could freeze time. It's all going so fast. I will never forget your first summer. My very favorite summer so far!

ps: Below are some photos I took at a wonderful exhibit at the museum last spring. Local florists created works inspired by pieces in the museum's collection. You were so young that you stayed home with daddy during that exhibit, but I wanted to share some photos with you...