2nd Grade - already? So what does baby sister think?

It's hard to believe but my sweet Lauren has started 2nd grade this year. It seems like yesterday we were preparing to have a Kindergartener. She is very excited to start the school year, but I think that's mostly so she'll have plenty of kids to play with everyday. We have some great kids here in the hood, but nothing like school friends that play everyday. 

Sweet Lexie is lost without her big sister. Every morning she comes down saying "Hey" to a sister that's already gone to school. So far, we've played blocks, called on the pretend phone, climbed into chairs and pulled stuff off of the counters and table, defeated the baby gate and made it upstairs into rooms that are not designed for babies. My challenge is presenting her with enough to do during the day, yet not so much as to bore her quickly. I have noticed in the last few days that she seems to be picking up words much faster than before. You can't really understand what she might be saying, but I think with a little context you can get the gist. She definitely likes to fuss at you if you tell her "NO" or take her away from something she really wanted to be doing. It's actually quite funny.

Lauren came home with her first homework - real homework since 1st grade was a month's worth of suggestions that did or did not have to be done. So far she has jumped into it and finished it right up when she gets home. Let's hope this trend continues so she'll be good at getting it done and then go out to play and wear out some of that extra energy. 

I can't believe how quickly Kindergarten and First Grade went by. While I enjoy quick and easy days, I do find myself trying to make each one count with the girls. They will only be little this one time and so on days that are hard, whiney or extremely difficuly I try my best to be thankful for my sweet little ones. I kiss them everynight and tuck them into bed. I pray over them constantly. I am so proud of my girls. They are good friends and very smart. I look forward to everything La is going to learn this year. I hope she masters the art of Math and continues to keep up with her reading. 

Babies

Better late than never, but our sweet Lexie was born on December 21, 2009. Our best Christmas present ever!

This sweet girl that has come into our lives is amazing. Not just the "she's the cutest thing ever" way, but how god answered my prayers with her. She has the sweetest disposition. She is always smiling. She is amazingly patient. LOVEs to sleep. Is a great nurser and overall eater. Amazing. Have I told you? : )

Babies are truly a gift from our father in heaven. I love waking up to her talking (babbling really) and just delight in the fact that it's a new day. Recently she has started playing while standing up and holiding onto something. It's hillarious and extremely scary. But she's ok. I find that with the second child I'm not as crazy about her falling down or trying things out for herself.

Her big sister is in total heaven. Loves this little baby as if she were her own most days. Wants to hold her all the time. I am really enjoying my front row seat in the relationship that is developing between them. I hope they will always love each other and truly want to spend time together.

Summer time

Sorry to be an ever absent blogger. Life is busy. But you all know that. There is too much going on and I just can't seem to keep up with Lala being out of school and lots of work to do. I'm going to be taking a break from blogging (as if I haven't already) to enjoy time with my daughter, afternoons at the pool, trips to visit family and of course my regular work load. 

I do hope your summer is fun and exciting. I will be back. Take care internet friends.

Wedding Fun

Holy Smokes! I didn't realize it had been so long since I'd posted anything. We have been very busy at our house and just returned home from a wonderful wedding weekend. My best friend got married up at Brasstown Valley Resort in north Georgia this past saturday. She looked absolutely amazing and we had so much fun. I'm going to post some of them so you can see just how much fun was had. 

Our weekend started by going up early on Thursday s

o the bride could relax and we could finish putting together her goodies for her guests stay and the reception. After that we spent plenty of time relaxing and having a good time without children present. It was a fun night.

Friday was a busy day. It began with a light breakfast and then getting ready for the bridesmaid's luncheon. Held in the tack room at Brasstown Valley Resort, we were treated to a delicious lunch and fantastic gifts from the bride. My daughter, the flower fairy, was able to check out the horses and run around without bothering too many people. After the luncheon we had a few hours to relax and see more of the property. 

The rehearsal began promptly at 4 in the afternoon with the bridal party wearing the shirts given to us from the bride. Pictures were taken, laughs exchanged and a bit of crying as the maid of honor (sister) stood watching her older sister practice her vows. It was a bitter sweet moment and I'm so honored to have been a part of the entire process. After our tears were dried, clothes changed and moods lightened, we all headed to Crane Creek Vineyards to enjoy a fabulous dinner accompanied by delicious wine. Blake and I had been there before for another one of our friends' wedding. We were amazed at all of the changes that had taken place since we'd last been there. 

The children played in and around the vines, took in the view at the lake and picked the flowers (sorry guys!). They were cute and pretty well behaved considering it was bedtime. 

For now, I'll leave you with some pictures from Crane Creek and I'll work on a wedding day post for tomorrow. 

Preschool Easter Party

The Easter party at the school went very well this year. All of the kids were excited to hunt eggs inside. Our weather was very raining looking and the teachers didn't want to risk getting rained on. I'm not sure the kids would have noticed!

The party mom's brought in some yummy food and continued the tradition of shaped sandwichs. The kids really seem to love them. One boys mom even brought in face paint and bunny ears for all of the kids. They looked so cute. I'm sure you'll agree. Who couldn't resist a sweet bunny face?

More fun to continue this weekend!

Just some photos to catch up

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. It's been a crazy year so far. So, I'll just leave you with some Valentine photos till I have time to write a proper post. We had a cookie decorating craft for the kids as well as the bracelet craft I brought for them to make. Once I get some photos of that, I'll post them. It's a great afternoon project for the kids if you need to get something done.


Hope your Valentine's Day was great!

Beginning the New Year

(David at Chic-fil-A bowl)

Well, the end of 2007 was quite busy. Luckily, Blake was off and was able to be home to entertain Lala. I on the other hand was busy with the Chic-fil-A bowl. I worked once again with Bob on the photography team and it was a bit more fun this year. Since it was our 2nd time around, Bob was a bit more comfortable letting me see and do some of the activities I didn't get to do last year. I was still the Jedi and had to maintain the files and organize them, which is no big deal, but I also had a blast. The same guys plus one were there shooting and everyone was more relaxed and easy going.

We were stationed at the Hilton with the Auburn team. They were great. The coach was so friendly and the players were pretty nice, when you saw them. The Clemson team was across the street and the players were more friendly, but their coach wasn't so much. I can understand that, being that he's at a bowl game, trying to keep his team in line so they can play well.

Everyone knows at this point that Auburn won, but it was still a great game. My brother and his wife used the tickets we gave them for Christmas and sat in the nose bleeders - sorry David and Missy, but Missy did say how awesome it was to be able to see the entire field and be able to actually follow the ball! Anyhow, I was on the field for most of the game, and even got to take a few shots. They are in the books we published and will soon be available for purchase. I'll put up a link once I have it. So, there we are. Game over and the work after it almost done as well.

So, 2008. What's in store? Well, B was offered a different job with the bank that pays more (yeah god!) and will be moving over there in Feburary. I'm hoping he'll still be close enough to come home for lunch, but maybe not, though it's been so much fun while it's lasted. I have been working on books for the bowl and have a potential opportunity to do more work with one of the wedding photographers I work for. That would be another answer to prayer. Now, to figure out what to do about housing.

I have been getting that "move to another place" feeling for quite some time now, but I know that God has a plan and purpose for us and I'm waiting for him to move us. These last couple of days have been a bit of an answer and so I feel that it's ok to move forward with at least looking. If the financial aspects continue to back us up, God provides a place, then we can get this place finished and on the market. It is so scary to actually type that. I've been thinking it for quite some time, and we've slowly but surely been working on things here and there. I am finally seeing just how much we need to do now and it's a bit overwhelming.

So, now that you know what's up, let me get back to what I should be doing! Have a great day!

(Missy at the bowl)

Lizary :: our new friend

Well, as some of you now know, we have a Carolina Anole living at our house. In a cage. He chose us as his winter vacation resort this year. We were just as suprised as he was. Anyhow, we've gotten him a larger cage and some food from Petsmart. I don't know how long Lizary will be living with us, but we've already bought the book, gotten the crickets, pimped out the cage, and we're thinking of getting a more permanent place for him to stay. At least while it's cold, or that's what we keep telling ourselves. Lala thinks we'll have him forever. Oh dear!

So far, Lizary (lala's name for him) seems to be a pretty happy camper. I'm worried that he'll get too cold in our house, but my husband says all he needs is a desk lamp and some leaves and the occasional cleaning of the cage and he'll be just fine. Does this mean that I'm in charge of all of this? Ummmm, no. I won't touch a cricket and you can forget cleaning lizard poop. I can't imagine there's all that much of it but people I have done my duty. I saved the little guy from our Jack Russell's. The husband? He can do it.

Carolina wha?

UPDATED ** Check out the photo of Lizary. Yes, Lala has named him. At least, we think Lizary is a boy.


This is how our lunch started out today.

me: Honey?
him: yes.
Lala: Daddy! Daddy! Come. here.
him: sighing, ok.
me: can you help me get the lid off of this box so you can capture Lala's lizard.
him: her what?
me: Lizard. You know, the thing with the tail?
him: oooook.

*we are looking around to find the elusive lizard that's been living in my office since last thursday. Our 2 Jack Russell Terriers kept wimpering at the wall, and I just thought they were high or something. No, turns out they had cornered a lizard and I was just too lazy to investigate it. Back to the conversation.

me: now, make sure it goes in the box, Lala really wants to look at it.
him: I don't know if I can get him in the box, but I'll try.
me: ok. (backing up)
him: Oh, this is just a Carolina Anole. Harmless.
me: A what? Carolina who? Aren't we in Georgia?
him: (a bit exhasberated) Carolina Anole honey.
me: Whatever, did you get him?
him: yes.
Lala: Cool! I'm going to keep him. Forever.

So now, for the moment, we have a Carolina Anole in our kitchen (in a bug box). I'll post the picture in a bit when the little one has calmed down a bit more. Now to find out what they eat.

A fun dress

For Lala's 3rd birthday, her Uncle JD, Aunt Laurie and buddy C sent some gifts. One of them was a really cute purple patterened dress from Old Navy. I took her outside to get some pics of her in it for them. I thought they turned out cute. What do you think? I worry that I'm already going to have a handful when she's a teenager!