Haarlow Family

Merry Christmas

2011-12-29T15:12:00.006-05:00

We had a great Christmas Eve with Dad, Betty, Catherine and Chris. We went to church and had a yummy dinner. Santa's elves were up till about 1, so the kiddos and us slept late Christmas morning! We had a fun day opening presents and spending time together as a family. With Jeff's busy basketball schedule, it is so nice to be together and spend time as a family. Will loved all his cars, trucks and action guys. Molly loves her new American Girl doll bed, art supplies, pet shop toys. They both are loving the Wii! Mom and Dad do too!! Mario cart is a favorite, Will is funny, he just drives in circles while the game tells him to make a u-turn. Molly loves the drawing pad and the sports games. I think she may be a little competitive like her daddy!

Some Wii action!!

"I wonder what this is..." That is what Will said as he opened his presents.

Christmas day fun!
Will and his guys. He loves action heroes, all of them!!
Spiderman helicopter guy.
Some "power tools" to help daddy in the yard.
Bapa and Betty on Christmas Eve.
Ice Cream maker!!
2 Christmas goofballs!
Molly and some stocking stuffers.

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-26T18:28:00.010-05:00

I can only get them in the pictures. I can not get them to smile, but that is ok. They are cute anyway!!

Will is such a turkey!!

Whip cream for dessert!

They sure do love their daddy!!
Christmas Cookie Sprinkle Snitcher is a Haarlow family tradition. Molly read it to us this year!!!

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Fun times with family and good food and no stress with presents. We are so blessed to have such wonderful family, especially those who traveled to come see us! Moe and Mimi came to spend Turkey Day with us. We cooked, laughed, enjoyed being together. Bapa and Betty came too, and brought yummy smoked turkey and sides. We had a great day eating and enjoying being together. Family is the best!!

Halloween Preview

2011-10-23T20:22:00.003-04:00

And grumpy Eyore he is when I try to take his picture!!
Miss Mulan

We went to a friend's house for a fall fun party. Costumes, great food, hayride, smores. What more can you ask for...friends and fun. Molls is going to be Mulan this year and Will is going to be Eyore (or Piglet...whatever he is feeling when we walk out the door to trick or treat.)

Soccer

2011-10-23T20:00:00.005-04:00

Tribefest
No more pics please mom!!
Throwing the ball in
Go Molls!!
Mia Hamm who??

Molly wanted to play soccer this fall. She really looks forward to practice and games and really loves to chase the ball. She scored her first goal this week, however didn't know she did until I congratulated her after the game. The goalie on the other team was twisting hair or counting butterflies...something I remember Molly doing a couple of years ago! It was a great day for her. She continues to excel in school with all A's on her latest report card. We love you Molls!!

Second grade at her primary school is a big year. The school grades go up to 2nd, so they are the big ones on campus! The second grade always performs at Tribefest, a carnival of sorts to support the area primary, middle and high schools. She was chosen out of the many who came to sing to hold the flag for the National Anthem and Pledge. She was so excited. She also "auditioned" to sing at this month's PTO meeting and was one of about 30 to perform. The auditions were for about 140 kids. The music teacher at her school is so wonderful and makes all the kids feel so special.

Train Ride

2011-10-16T10:58:00.005-04:00

Is it time yet...he asked about 50 times before we left if it was time to get on choo choo rain.
Looking out the window.

Cuties!!
All aboard!!

September and October

2011-10-16T10:45:00.005-04:00

Will celebrating his bday at Mountain Day with family. He got flashlights for his bday! He loves them!!

Silly kids.

Fun day at Mountain Day!
I am three!!

Excited to be three!

Mountain Day at Berry

August

2011-10-16T10:17:00.005-04:00

Happy Birthday Molls! 7!!!

Bday fun at Bapa and Betty's

Boca Grande Vacation

2011-08-05T18:27:00.004-04:00

Serious sheller. We all brought home tons of shells.
Chillin in the shade.
Love my Molls.
Fireworks fun on the beach.
By the end of the week, he was jumping with no floats!!

Grandparents and Cousins

2011-06-12T10:54:00.005-04:00

Cousins enjoying the pool at Moe and Mimi's new house. We love their new house, even if we are sad they had to move from Hilton Head. Molls and McCanless had a great week together.

Will in his spot.

Mary Clare decorating cookies. Yummy!!
Cousins chillin!
We wrapped our heads in support for Mary Clare who had some brain studies done to get to the bottom of her epilepsy.

Beautiful girl growing up so fast!!

This one too!

Happy Birthday Moe/Bapa
Molly and all her swimming gear!

Camping

2011-06-12T10:00:00.007-04:00

Hide and seek.
Our first night meal...steak kabobs and veggies. Yum!!
Campground playground.

Sweaty kids.

Passed out the first night.
Cloudland Canyon State Park view...beautiful!
Cooling off!

No pool? No problem. It does not take much to keep them busy and happy while camping!
Our camp director.
Second day nap, fell asleep while reading!
Chattanooga visit.
Will in the camper.
Our home away from home.

We love our camper and our camping trips. The weather was great and the kids had fun. Cloudland Canyon was a great camping spot.

Molly's Author's Day

2011-06-12T09:52:00.003-04:00

Molly sharing her favorite page in her book.

Molly and others in her first grade class wrote a book this year and got to share it with parents on Author's Day. Bapa was so nice to come too! She wrote her book about dancing and she did such a great job. We will treasure it!!

Just Hangin Out

2011-05-22T16:13:00.006-04:00

Dad came up to help Jeff stain the deck. It really looks nice.

Little man on the run.
Eatin popsicles.

Sometimes photogenic....
Sometimes not...

She however, loves the camera!

Getting ready for lazy days of summer! Molly has one more week of school and then she is a second grader! I am done except for a few days of planning. We are headed for our first camping trip this year at Cloudland Canyon for Memorial Day weekend. Then Jeff starts his busy summer of camps and recruiting. I am ready for no schedules, staying up late and sleeping late and just hanging out. We are excited about a week in Boca Grande, Fla with dad and Betty and Catherine. Love summertime!!

I treated myself to a new camera, I am so excited to take some pics while camping and at the beach. Here are a few of the kids just hanging out, playing and eating popsicles.

Easter

2011-04-24T20:38:00.006-04:00

Getting ready to hunt eggs in the dark!

Molly took this. We look tall!
We sure do love these two and they love each other. We have so much to be thankful for!!
Two cuties getting ready for church.

Cousin Syd with the duck.

Molly is loving these ducks and taking care of them.
A day of playing outside made Will hungry. He never sits at the table to eat!!
Egg hunt with cousins. They are lined up from oldest to youngest. Will wouldn't get in line for a picture.
But he did eat all the candy he got from his eggs.
Then he passed out before we got out of my dad's neighborhood.
Molly too!

We had a great weekend. We went to Dad and Betty's and everyone from both families was there today for lunch. We went to church at their church and had a wonderful time together. We started the Easter festivities last night with an egg hunt in the dark, in Dad's neighborhood. What a fun way to hunt eggs!

The ducks are growing quickly! We even took them with us so all the cousins could play with them. I don't think they liked the car, but they made it.

It was a beautiful weekend, and I am soooo looking forward to the summer and no schedules! Only a few more weeks for all of us and we can relax and play!

I have never done this before....

2011-04-21T20:13:00.005-04:00

Our local hardware and nursery has "chick days" about this time of year. We took the kids today and look what we brought home....

2 baby ducks, along with feed, a heat lamp and feed and water bowls.
Jeff said no, but I couldn't resist and Molly has loved caring for them so far today.

They are pretty cute and cuddly!! Their names are Thomas Alex Haarlow (Will's) and Molly's is Jewel Princess Haarlow. I am sure their names will change 10 times tomorrow. I have never had a pet other than a dog or cat, so I told the people at Lavendar Mountain I needed lots of instructions. They will be ready to fly in about 6 weeks and we will take them to the pond behind our house. Happy Easter Molly and Will.

Sweet Heart Baby

2011-03-11T22:09:00.005-05:00

Mary Clare being the princess she is.

Our sweet niece Mary Clare was born almost four years ago with half a heart, with HLHS a congenital heart defect. She is such a strong little girl and will undergo her 3rd open heart surgery this month. I made her this heart quilt to take to the hospital with her. Coincidentally, someone else sent her a princess hospital gown and pillow made with the same cute princess fabric. She will be the princess of the hospital in Charleston. Our prayers are with her and her family as they prepare for her surgery.

1st Lost Tooth!!

2011-02-19T10:37:00.003-05:00

So close up pics are not good! Molly lost her first tooth this week. She is too cute!!

Dreaming of the Beach

2011-01-22T12:18:00.002-05:00

Tired of this weather and want to start a countdown to a beach trip. Is is too early for that?

Snow!! Again!!

2011-01-11T12:51:00.012-05:00

Even Pawley got out. She was a little confused about everything and where she should go to the bathroom. She loved it though.

We had snow on Christmas day and now 15 days or so later, snow again! We have had 2 days off of school and are getting a little stir crazy. The kids have watched Toy Story too many times and the stomach bug has made its way through our house for round two. Will last week, Molly this week.
Getting out in the snow yesterday was fun and it felt good to be out it it! Except for Will, he is not a fan of this cold wet stuff. He cried the whole time while we were outside. I don't know if it was the multiple layers of clothes or the baggies over his socks to keep his feet dry. It was pretty funny. What a winter so far, I don't think this is the end of it! Molly and Jeff loved making a snowman together. They used an old golf club shaft for arms (you can't really see it in the picture). It sure is pretty outside!

2011-01-02T10:18:00.008-05:00

Christmas Eve Polar Express in our new jammies from ReeRee.
Bapa and Betty (really just Betty!) got Molly the most glamorous makeup kit for Christmas. Thanks Betty!! Molly needs some tips on application, I think she was going for the clown look on this one.
Catherine and I got makeovers too!
Rudolph! We had a fun evening a few days before Christmas with my aunt and uncle (mom's brother) and my two cousins and family. We had not all been together in a long time, and this time it was a happy occasion and not a funeral! We had a fun day and opened a few presents early with Bapa and Betty.
Making cookies for Santa.

Making sure they taste good enough for the big guy!
White Christmas! Apparently this had not happened in over 100 years. What a fun day! It was beautiful!
Will...not so sure about this cold wet stuff.
Molly loved it though. She could have stayed out all day. Uncle Chris helped her make a snowman. Catherine and Chris made it through the snow and ice to have lunch and exchange gifts. Bapa and Betty couldn't get through, so we had Christmas with them in Daytona.
Pawley went crazy.

After a long day of playing in and outside, watching Toy Story and relaxing on the couch. I love those two!! We asked Molly to stay in our bed on Christmas morning and call for us when she was ready to get up so Molly and Will could come down together. At 4:30!!! Molly announced it was time to get up. Thankfully she went back to sleep till 7. They were so excited. I think Will thought he would really see Santa at our house on Christmas morning. He was so obsessed with Santa this year. It was so cute to see!
Will about to pass out after all the fun. I didn't get too many pics of the big day, just video. Will post that soon.
Molly and Will at the Hilton in Daytona beach. We do Christmas in style! Jeff had a basketball tournament in Daytona Beach. We had fun seeing the team play, playing in the sand and spending time with family. Thanks Bapa, Betty, Moe and Mimi for making the trip!

Love the beach

Advent Calendar

2010-11-30T21:32:00.004-05:00

I saw the cutest homemade advent calendar on a sewing blog I visit occasionally. I had grand ideas for covering a piece of wood with fabric, tying on individual gifts for both kids, BUT this grand idea began last night though and Dec is tomorrow!! I settled for Dollar Tree! I love that place! I am excited to see Molly and Will put their ornaments in the calendar and open their treats. Lots of candy and junk, but a few art projects and coloring activities. I know they will be excited to open something everyday. Christmas is really for kids and it is so much fun to see the magic in their eyes! Love this time of year!

Fancy Molly

2010-10-31T16:57:00.002-04:00

Molly's school had storybook character dress up day last Friday (instead of Halloween costumes). She chose Fancy Nancy. She had a fun day! She looks so grown up!!

Halloween

2010-10-31T16:28:00.005-04:00

Getting ready to Trick or Treat. Will loved riding in the wagon.

Can't believe he put it on and left it on until we got home. I think seeing Molly dressed up helped. He was not happy with the costume when we first got it.
Checking out the stars in the sky. Everytime we stopped at a house, he said "out, candy". He had chocolate and lollipop all over him by the time we got home.
Cowgirl Molly.

Cold and ready to go home!

Molly's Autobiography

2010-10-21T18:40:00.004-04:00

Molly did this at school at the beginning of September. Her teacher even took it to her college class to share. The pictures are hard to see, but she worked really hard and I can already see a major improvement in her handwriting and spelling since then. We are so proud of all her hard work at school.

My name is Molly and I am 6 years old.

My favorite food is pizza and spaghetti.

My favorite thing to do is play outside.
I am really proud of my grades. (Arial view of school and her in her desk with a 100 on her spelling paper).

People should know about me because I am nice.
Three things I want to learn this year is the earth, and science, and social studies. I am pretty sure I didn't know what science and social studies were in the first grade!

Great job Molly!

Being Silly

2010-09-23T19:04:00.006-04:00

Will trying to strike the same pose as Molly (below). He does everything she does! Molly was using Goldfish crackers to count her math homework problems tonight. I look across the table and Will is using his french fries to try and count too.
Molly striking a pose.

Notice Will in the one red shoe and the pink backpack. He loves to play with Molly's stuff.

Just hanging out on a Thursday. I am getting ready for Gray's Anatomy and glad tomorrow is Friday. Between working full time and doing homework, baths, dinner etc. at night, I am pooped!! Going back to work full time this year has been a harder adjustment than I thought it would be. I am tired after 8 hours with 20 four year olds. I feel blessed to have a full time job these days in education when it is tough to find or hold on to one. I do not take my weekends for granted!!

We had a great conference with Molly's first grade teacher this week. She is doing so well this year and loves first grade. She has all A's on her progress report and her teacher had great things to say about her progress this year. She even wrote an autobiography that her teacher is taking to her own adult class. We are so proud of her.

Will continues to love to go to school, that is what he was doing with the backpack in the pics above. He is in love with Elmo and Molly's Barbies. They have been fighting over them lately. He pulls the Barbie's dress up and says "EWWW, stinky" (which is what he says when he has a stinky diaper). It is so funny. He is generally a happy kid who loves to play and have fun.
We can't believe he will be 2 next week! Where does the time go. In the rush of things during the week, I am having to breathe and remember to savor these moments before they are too big! Time goes by too fast.

Braves Game

2010-09-12T21:38:00.005-04:00

We decided to join Jeff as a chaperon on the bus to Atlanta to watch the Braves. Since school started back for me full time, I am reluctant to give up a weekend day out of town. I want to relax and catch up on cleaning and stuff and just hang out. But this sounded fun.

We loaded the kids in the bus and rode to the game and had a great time. Will was great and even learned some tomahawk chopping and some chanting. He loved pointing to the field and looking for the ball or looking for the next vendor to come with icey drinks.

Molly gets into the players with Jeff and she even pointed out Tim Hudson on the jumbo-tron. She knew who he was! She loves to talk Braves with Jeff, thanks Molls, it takes the pressure off of me!

We went to the kid's area and the kids ran the base and went under the coolers of water mist. Molly and Will holding hands was too cute!

2010-08-15T20:57:00.004-04:00

Molly is 6!! We had a fun weekend with a few friends over for hot dogs and cupcakes, and we ended up having a big storm so no outside fun. The kids had fun playing in the playroom and the adults enjoyed adult time. We went to the American Girl Store in Atlanta and Molly picked out Julie. We had fun getting her other doll's hair done and picking out accessories. Jeff said he was glad he was a dude and that Will is happy with a new ball when his bday rolls around next month! Molly really loves to play with her dolls. What a fun age she is. She is so sweet and loving and is doing great in first grade so far. She loves school and reading and doing all the "paper" stuff. She has grown up before our eyes in a blink! It is fun for her and I to share a bday two days apart (and the focus is on her and not me getting older!) Happy Birthday Molly--we love you!! Not many pics to share. Will is wild these days and we snapped a couple outside of the store.

Molly's first day of first grade!!

2010-08-09T21:42:00.006-04:00

Supplies!!
Getting ready for the day.
Molly in her classroom. She loves her new teacher, Mrs. Headrick.
Daddy and the kiddos.
Will showing off his new Elmo backpack.
2 school cuties

We love that Molls. She was so excited about school and would really have gone all summer! We Daddy walked her in today. I have to be at work at the same time, just different place, so I was sad not to get to go. She did great though and rode the bus to afterschool, riding the bus for the first time. We are so proud of her and who she is--a confident, sweet and loving girl. We just can't believe she is in first grade, and will turn 6 on Saturday! I tease her that she is not six, she is 5 +1!

Cousins time

2010-07-19T12:00:00.006-04:00

Mimi and Liz
Will not wanting a picture!
Bathing beauties

Slip-N-Slide!!
Yes, Will is drinking a coke...oh what you let the second kid do!!

Captain Will

Cousins in their matching suits. Will is not sure about all of the hugging!
Will escaped and the one with Will is foggy...I really need photoraphy lessons!

Cousins on the hot dog!
Tired day in the sun and on the boat.
Sailor Molly
Will and the worms for fishing.
Molly caught a fish with Uncle Robert!!

We went to Lake Murray in SC for a weekend of fun and sun and cousins for Mimi's 60th birthday. We had such a good time fishing, swimming, jumping off the dock, jet skiing, motor boating and eating good food. Uncle Robert and Aunt Liz were great hosts! It was so fun to have all of us together. 16 adults and kids all together in one place is pretty special!

Just Stuff...

2010-07-12T19:21:00.006-04:00

Will after his first haircut today. He looks so grown up, it makes me sad. He looks cute though. It is amazing how it changes his face so much.
Will pre-haircut.
We decided to make cupcakes this past weekend. Molly wanted to know who we would sing to? I said theses were just because cupcakes. Then I realized it has been four years this past Sunday since my mom died. So an impromptu tribute to her!! Love you Boppi!

Drive in movie fun! We went to see Toy Story 3 at a drive in movie place in Centre Al last Friday. That is the best way to see a movie! We had so much fun and Will and Molly were amazed by the big screen. Especially Will, it was his first movie experience. He loved it!
Summer fort building, fun on these hot days!

Crafty kind of day

2010-06-22T11:52:00.004-04:00

I love sewing! I made this today after finishing the cross stitch piece a few weeks ago. I love the beach!!

SSI Beach Trip

2010-06-21T10:52:00.008-04:00

We set out last week for a week in St. Simons Island. It was great!! What wouldn't be great about a week at the beach?! I love it. We went to the Turtle Center in Jeklyll, played for hours at the beach and the pool, had great food, made fun memories and enjoyed being together as a family. Dad, Catherine and I have not been on a vacation together since we were teenagers. We had planned to go the summer Mom died, but her leg was bothering her. It was great to be together as a family. Thanks Dad and Betty for such a fun week!!

Beach Beauties. We had such a good time at the beach with Aunt Catherine and all of her smelly creature finds! HaHa Catherine!
Crazy girl!
Beautiful trees of St. Simons
Proud Bapa

Turtle at Jekyll

I love my family!!

Will after his first day at the beach. Once I realized I should leave his sandals on because he hates the sand on his feet, he ran all over the beach. He fought this late afternoon nap, but this is how I found him after 5 minutes. Too cute!!

Ice Cream on the Pier. I think Will's clothes got more than he did, bue he loves it!
Pool time with Daddy!
Molly mermaid.

This is what Will got into in the car on the way...markers. Apparently I did not pack enough snacks!

Summer time!

2010-06-10T15:59:00.005-04:00

Molly the fish...she loves the pool, and with no swim arms!

Getting used to the pool. He cries at first, then loves it and won't get out.
Molly decorating a cake
Yummy strawberry shortcake for Moe's birthday.
Another cake...happy birthday Moe.

Uncrustables in the car are not a great idea, but for 5 minutes of quiet, it is worth all the wipes it took to clean off!

No pics from camping, as it rained the whole trip and kids were not easily entertained. Poor Jeff had to put the pop up camper down in the pouring rain. Fun campsite though, Enota near Hiawassee. It was fun family time.

Ice Cream and Goldfish

2010-05-21T09:24:00.006-04:00

Asking for more fish.

Will is a picky eater, especially because he won't sit still to eat. We can get him to eat goldfish and fruit. He loves ice cream though. He sees it in the freezer and says mmmm. He drips more than he eats, but it is fun to watch.

Soccer

2010-05-21T09:14:00.003-04:00

Running the line to warm up.
Working hard on guarding that goal!
This is Will in a restaurant after soccer--I hate eating out!
Molly receiving her medal.
Team photo--good job Rockets!!

Beach Day

2010-05-21T09:02:00.002-04:00

Molly's kindergarten class celebrated the end of a great school year with Beach Day this week. They had water bomb fights behind the Pirate ship, looked for treasure in the sand and had a root beer burping contest (she thought that was gross!) What beautiful, fun day.

Countdown....

2010-05-13T20:15:00.004-04:00

TO SUMMER!! I can't believe that another school year is over for me and in 2 weeks Molly will be a 1st grader. It just makes my heart swell with love for her when I think about how much she has grown up in her 5th year. A few more months until she turns 6!! Which means in only 10 short years she will be driving, but I won't think about that yet! She is loving soccer, even if she just chases the pack of kids who are chasing the ball, and even if she is just looking for four leaf clovers in the grass while she is playing goalie. I am proud of her for trying, she is having a blast.
She has soared in kindergarten and loves school, a proud accomplishment for two parents!

Will has loved his year at the preschool this year. He has learned so much and waves hey to his friends everyday. I carry him upstairs most afternoons with a red face, a hard day of playing outside or in his classroom. I am so glad he has the opportunity to be with such loving teachers. He is into everything and loves to play outside and drink milk. He is more talkative, but not much is understood. He is so excited to get up in the morning and loves to follow his sister around. He has a fun and outgoing personality, his laugh is infectious! We are truly blessed with two great kids.

I am wrapping up my 5th year at the preschool, I have gotten a full time job! Hard to believe in all the education turmoil going on here in Rome. A school is closing and teachers are being let go almost at every school. I will be teaching Ga Lottery funded pre-k at a child development center and Will can go with me. That makes it all the better. I know he will do great! I will miss my relaxed schedule and Fridays off, but it has been a great opportunity to be at the preschool. It is time to move on, I am excited.

Various April Happenings

2010-04-23T10:55:00.006-04:00

Will loves soccer practice too. Mommy is glad Will can run for an hour!! Makes for two tired kids and two happy parents!
Coloring under the table this morning. Why? I don't know.
They sure do love each other!!
Beautiful girl!!
Molly's new "twinkle toes" shoes from the Easter Bunny.
Will's new shoes from the Easter Bunnies-Bapa and Betty.
Will passed out after a day of food and hunting for eggs at Bapa and Betty's house.
Molly's first soccer practice.
View from the clocktower in Rome. It is a beautiful view. Too bad I couldn't enjoy it more as I plastered myself to the middle of the view deck. I HATE HEIGHTS!! WHAT WAS I THINKING?!

Molly and her old friend Anna. Molly was so kind to share her makeup. Sorry Nortons!
This was Molly's Kindergarten Tour of Rome field trip--lots of walking on a beautiful day!
Soccer, time with Family and freinds, Field Trips, Jeff's birthday...fun month!

More St. John's

2010-04-05T21:44:00.004-04:00

Finally a pic of the two of us! We have to teach Molly to use the camera and take good pics! We never have pics of just us!
Iguanas EVERYWHERE!! Strange to see them on the beach!

Other people take better pictures than me. Thanks Aunt Lauren for the cd of pictures you all took! My favorite pic of the trip is Will floating in the ocean on a raft, with his floaties, in the blazing sun, ASLEEP!! Will makes the cousins pick by crying in the sand and water. He hated it! Mary Clare is asking him what is wrong, trying to make him feel better! Cute pic! What a great time!

Egg Huntin and Kite Flyin

2010-04-02T19:18:00.003-04:00

Molly and her Tink kite. Mostly she just ran as it dragged behind her not too far off the ground. It was funny!

The running of 80 Kindergartners in a giant field at Berry.
Molly and Will looking at the chicks and bunnies at Lavender Mountain, our local hardware, nursery and whatever store. It is a great place and we loved petting the chicks and bunnies. I love spring!

Will at his 18 month checkup--waiting in the chair for the doctor to come in. He is healthy with weight and head circumference. She said he is short....has she seen his sister and father?! Apparently his has a big gap between his front teeth too! It is really cute though.

What a beautiful week this week. It has been hot, I think mid 80's today after 40's on Monday. Love the south! Molly had an egg hunt today at Berry. It was fun. We had a picnic and attempted to fly a kite on a non-windy day. Will had an egg hunt this week at school, I don't have pics though. He didn't care much about the eggs and his basket was a little big for him. He did enjoy some chocolate!

Just to Brag a Little...

2010-03-26T15:59:00.004-04:00

Molly got her report card, good news, she passed to first grade! Not that we were worried. She got a great report and we are so proud of her!! She knew 162 sight words (45 needed to be on target for kindergarten!!) She has done so well this year and loves school. We are two proud parents of two wonderful kids. We are truly blessed with such sweet and loving kids.

She read me Green Eggs and Ham last night. That was my favorite book as a child. We just can't believe she will be six this summer and in first grade next year. Where does the time go?

Will is into everything! He loves balls. That is his favorite word to say and probably says it 100 times a day! He walked out the door this morning with paci in mouth, a blankie in each hand, holding a ball--and saying ball all the way to the car (with paci in mouth). He just loves to hold it while riding in the car. He can find a ball ANYWHERE!!

Molly and Will are best friends and love to play with each other. This is going to be a fun and busy summer!! I love it!

Plane, Train, Automobile, AND Boat

2010-03-15T20:47:00.010-04:00

By the time we got to St. John's Island late afternoon last Wednesday, we had ridden in a car, airport train, plane, open air taxi, ferry boat and golf cart--it was all worth it for the beautiful place we arrived in! The weather was warm and we were relaxed! Some late afternoon pool time made it all worthwhile! We traveled for Jeff's sister's wedding in St. John's. What a beautiful place! We had a great time exploring the island and hanging out with cousins. I have a horrible memory when it comes to a camera! I didn't even get a pic of the wedding couple.

Sharing a seat on the plane, they had a great time playing.
Fun and sun, here we come!
First boat ride for Will
We might not see each other too often, but between cousins, no time has passed!! They all are growing so fast!
Will checking out the pool. Turns out he is not a fan of the pool either!

Loving the boat trip!

My two guys!
Hang on guys!
Sweet Sophia and Molly
Will enjoying the sailboat ride for the rehearsal. It was an awesome, but bumpy ride! His hair has beautiful curls. We can't wait for summer for them to come back.
Two cuties!

Rehearsal dinner at a great restaurant!

Ready for the wedding.

A little flirt already!

Trying to get a pic of one little girl ready to play with cousins and one little boy who hates the beach (definitely not his mother's child!!)
Watching the band.

Snow Fun!!

2010-02-15T08:24:00.006-05:00

Berry's old Gate of Opportunity. Beautiful campus!!

We went to Berry Saturday to play in the snow. There are some great places to sled. Our sled--a pan that goes under the washing machine! It worked so well!! Molly was a little apprehensive at first, but after first run was going back for more. It was a beautiful day with sun and snow. Will was not impressed. He had fun though laughing at us throwing snowballs.

Will opinion of the day--yuck!
Jeff and Will sledding.
Molly throwing snowballs.
I did get one smile out of him.
Pawley about to go crazy!

Snow bunnies.
This is what Will thought of the snow! Too funny!

Snow Day! Again!

2010-02-12T15:19:00.003-05:00

This is our second snow day in about a month! Can't believe it. It is so pretty and really sticking and coming down hard. Will post some more when we get baby Will up from nap. Flashback from child hood--I was thinking of putting plastic baggies over his shoes. He does not have any snow appropriate shoes! I always hated it when my mom did that to us, yet I am going to do it to my kid!!

Molly and Will....best friends!

2010-02-05T08:43:00.003-05:00

Molly getting her ears pierced! What a grown up girl!

They love each other so much!!

Valentines Exchange

2010-02-05T08:32:00.005-05:00

I participated in a Valentines Exchange for cross stitchers. It was was my first exchange and so fun! I sent to a stitcher in South Dakota and received from Illinois. Here are some pics of of what I made and received. The next exchange is Easter. It is so fun to anticipate a hand made gift in the mail!

This is what I made and sent to Blyn in South Dakota.

This is what I received from April in Illinois.

SNOW!!

2010-01-07T17:01:00.008-05:00

Pawley is a little confused and slipped going down the stairs to the back yard.

Molly and her first real snow experience.

Will and Daddy! My sweet boys!

Molly has not seen much snow here in Rome Ga. The state of Ga is flipping out over snow chances, the milk and bread are gone at the store and I am sure motorists are having trouble with this white stuff we never see. It is so comical I am sure for northern transplants to experience the media frenzy.

We went out to play and now the yard and deck are so pretty covered in white and it is so peaceful to watch fall! I love it for a day, then be gone! We don't do well with ice here!

Molly's statement while playing in the snow "God loves us so he sent us snow!" How sweet her heart is.
Something funny she said the other day "I am just trying to live my life" (after we scolded her for playing soccer in the house and knocking over a glass of tea with the ball.) Mom and Dad just looked at each other and laughed!

Christmas #3

2010-01-02T18:18:00.006-05:00

Molly playing Santa in Pinehurst. Our family, in many different locations, celebrates Christmas for about a week! This year we went to Pinehurst the day after Christmas to celebrate with Ree Ree and our Greensboro family. The kids loved playing together last Sunday and were all sad when the day was over. They don't get to see each other much, but when they do it is like no time has passed. Fun times with cousins!
The funniest present this year--Andrew and his real leaf blower. He loves to do yard work and really wanted a blower. He had it plugged in and blowing pinestraw in five minutes!

Molly and Soph--two princesses!
Uncle Chris putting the blower together and Andrew getting ready!
Will and Ree Ree playing with his new shapes bus.
They sat still for a quick picture, and I mean quick. This was as still as they could be all day!

The car ride home, need I say more for a one year old on the go? 10 hours is a long ride.

Finally some quiet!!
Clean up time. Thanks again to Aunt Catherine for the tinsel! I will get her back one day! Will loved playing with it. It was stuck to his feet while we were taking down decorations. It was pretty funny!

Chillin and watching Thomas movie. Will got lots of Thomas train stuff from Santa, and has been having fun playing at the train table.

Funny Will!! We had a great Christmas week with family and it is time to go back to school for all of us!! I am looking forward to it!

Merry Christmas!!!

2009-12-25T18:49:00.007-05:00

Warm fire and family...what a wonderful Christmas Eve.
Molly anxiously awaiting present time with Aunt Catherine, Bapa and Betty. We had a great dinner and a fun time together on Christmas Eve.
The tree before the mayhem. Thanks for the tinsel Catherine!
Betty and Bapa opening their gifts from Molly. She went shopping all by herself in the Santa shop at school. All the presents came home wrapped. It was fun for her to pick out presents and she was so anxious for everyone to open them.
Will and some Megablocks.
He loves the baseball set, or at least the box!
Molly and princess coloring pages from cousins. We did not ask for a pose, it was natural!
Molly is super excited about her inflatable princess mattress with sleeping bag. Thanks Betty and Bapa.

Molly trying to get Bapa to smile for the camera. Betty teases Dad he can't smile for a picture.
Molly has had enough, in need of a little quiet time!
Will was having a meltdown, but here is the rest of us.

Molly and Santa's cookies.
Wonderful hubby doing dishes!

Molly Christmas morning. She loves her Hannah Montana doll.
Will and one of many balls he got (ba ba) he calls it. Mostly he chased after Molly today and played with what she did and played with boxes and wrapping paper.
Lulu my Cuddlin Kitty. Her favorite toy from Santa. She purrs and meows and moves around! Almost like the real thing!

We had a wonderful lazy day. It was fun for Molly to have a brother to share this day with. They are so great together and had so much fun. Just a glimpse at more fun Christmases to come!

Another blog

2009-12-13T17:01:00.003-05:00

Check out my new link to the left. I now have a cross stitching blog.

Rockettes

2009-12-07T14:58:00.004-05:00

Molly in her fancy dance for the show.
The only pic from inside the Fox, they are strict about pictures, so I only took one. Molly really needs to work on her posed smile!
Bapa and Will hanging out while the girls go to the show.
Will does not like hats!
Our bad elf, Boingy got into the goldfish Saturday morning!

We had a great Christmas-y weekend! We had breakfast with Santa on Saturday and had yummy pancakes. We had our picture made, Will was reluctant but I think I got a pic with both of them. I used my real camera (with film) so hopefully the pics turned out well. We also went to a Christmas craft show in the country with her two boys, it was fun. Then we loaded up to go spend the night with Bapa and Betty. We did a little Christmas shopping with Aunt Catherine and made cookies with Betty. We were so excited to see the Rockettes on Sunday! It was awesome!! I loved it and Molly did too. All of the girls were in awe of the costumes and dancing. It was a magical show. We went back to Dad and Betty's house to have dinner with Betty's kids and grands and Catherine and Dad. It was a wonderful Christmas weekend. Now back to school and work!

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-29T19:14:00.006-05:00

Molly writing (she loves to write!!) My elf is here and I love him. She did this all by herself. She did not ask me how to spell any of it. Boingy came on Friday and he forgot to move Saturday. Oops. The look on her face when she came down and Boingy was still in the tree--priceless! I felt like a horrible mom, making up something that would satisfy her (too much turkey and flying made him really tired). Phew!
Molly and her journal.
Molly loves to decorate. This is a buffet we have in the den and all of the Christmas trinkets she could find to decorate with.
Will and the Rudolph snowglobe.
Will and his bouncy ball. He will chase it for hours!
Will and his proud mess.

We had a low key day for Thanksgiving, just the four of us for lunch. It was great to relax and watch the parade and get into the spirit of the holidays. We had eaten by noonish and were napping at 2. What a great day!! Jeff tried to talk me into Cracker Barrell for lunch, but I just couldn't do it!

Molly had been talking about Thanksgiving Feasts at school, and she asked who was coming to our feast. We said no one, it was just us. She said as we sat down to eat our feast at lunch "this is not a feast, it is just dinner". Jeff responded with "anything that takes longer than 10 minutes to cook is a feast at our house." It was hilarious. She just didn't understand why no one was at our house. It was a great day though.

I asked Molly tonight if she was ready to go back to school, and she said emphatically, YES!
She said she loves school and does not like days off. She is funny.

Just random pics of Molls and Will playing and Will doing what he does best, getting into things. I found him tonight with a notepad he had scattered all over the kitchen floor. When I walked in, he looked up with such pride in what he had done. He loves balls, and will play with them for hours. He and his sis continue to have a great time together. Who could ask for more? We are truly blessed.

Boys Will Be Boys...

2009-11-23T15:33:00.004-05:00

I was sitting on the couch today checking email and could hear Will in the kitchen playing. It got quiet and I called his name and went to see what he had gotten into, and this was it....

I don't know how he get it open either. He is already going for doorknobs! How different boy and girls are!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas.....

2009-11-22T14:32:00.003-05:00

Oh the smell of a fresh tree. I love it. We are ready Santa!!

We decorated around the house today and even got a tree. Jeff was wonderful enough to venture out in the rain and cold to pick a tree. Today he is off from practice, so I put him to work. The house looks festive and smells great too. I wish I could just put everything on slow motion, to enjoy it all. This time of year seems to fly by.

Fall Weekend

2009-11-15T16:04:00.007-05:00

Molly got in the car on Friday with a new red t-shirt on. I asked her what it was for and she said she is student of the month and got to be on the morning show. She was so excited! We are so proud of her and all she has accomplished in school already this year. Not to brag, but her teachers say she is so sweet and a great student. We love you Molls!!

Molly's school's Fall Festival was yesterday, we had fun playing the kid games, eating cotton candy, getting faces painted, getting tatooed and enjoying a gorgeous day!

Friday night was Santa's arrival at the mall. I still can't believe that time is here! Santa comes in on a sled and is pulled by live reindeer. It is fun to see even if all of Rome is packed into such a small area in the mall. It is time for Santa and pictures and Christmas lists. I love this time of year.

Last Thursday was Jeff's Hoop Madness night to kick off the start of the basketball season for the guys and girls.. It is fun to see all the students pile into the Cage for dunking contests, t-shirts and some entertainment. Molly is finally getting old enough to explore the gym on her own. She played most of the night with the new women assistant's daughter who is her age. They played with basketballs in the corner, danced to the music and watched the dunking contest. She really loves the gym, but we can't convince her to try basketball herself.

We had a fun weekend and I even got to visit friends who have a daughter looking at coming to college at Berry. They were up for a visit yesterday. They lived next door to us growing up and I was their first babysitter. Wow, do I feel old?!

Below are some videos from Hoop Madness

Sweet Siblings

2009-11-10T14:25:00.002-05:00

I just love watching Molly and Will interact. Will runs to the door when I say it is time to go get Molly from school and she runs to the stairs to give him a hug and kiss when he gets up from a nap. Last night, Will was having trouble getting settled to go to bed, so I just held him and rocked him in their room. (Molly and Will share a room and love it!!) Molly looked up from her bed and said she loved it when I rocked Will because it is like I am holding both of them. She is soo sweet! I know I worried about having another after Molly because I didn't know how she would react to not being the only one trying to keep my attention. She has been really amazing this year. She has grown up so fast and is a wonderful, loving sister. They really do love each other and have such a loving relationship already.

On another note we are reminded daily by Molly's accent that we live in Rome. It has become quite Southern. She was working on her newest set of sight word and Jeff held up there--she tried to sound it out and she said "thar". It was so funny. We laugh daily at her accent. What will Will's be like? I try not to bombard her with questions about school every afternoon, she is just tired and will tell me eventually. I do ask her what she had for lunch, she usually says she has forgotten. A few days ago she told me she had a chicken leg and she said she saw it's knee. I laughed so hard, I guess she was talking about the big end of the chicken leg.

Will continues to walk all around the house chasing Molly, or just running. He is into everything!! As boys usually are. I can't wait to see what the next few months bring as far as talking. I love this age from 1-2. He is so sweet and loves to play and get into stuff. He is loving his riding toys that make noise and often just pushes them into the wall and looks at us like, why won't it go? We are blessed with such a happy and healthy family.

Jeff starts his basketball season on Monday, Nov 16. Lots of change going on at Berry, but I think it will be a good season. We went to a scrimmage at the Cage a couple of weekends ago, and lets say I saw no basketball! Will is all over the bleachers and it makes me so nervous. I see us getting lots of exercise on the track around the court this year!

Halloween

2009-11-01T10:14:00.002-05:00

Now that Halloween is out of the way, it is my favorite time of year! I love Thanksgiving and Christmas!! We had a fun time trick-or-treating last night, even with cold weather and a few sprinkles. I don't have any pictures though. My friend Julie and her two boys came over for chili and hot dogs and trick-or-treating in our neighborhood. Molly and Nate's minds were set on who could get to the doors and the next house the fastest, they had a great time. Will just strolled along with little Charlie and Daddy. The kids went straight upstairs to play and Molly disrobed from her mermaid costume before I could get any pictures. Now I am ready for turkey and pumpkin pie!! Jeff has a scrimmage against UAH tonight, so basketball begins!! I just love the next two months. A time of family and Thanksgiving and holiday magic. It is the best!!

Little Kermie

2009-10-29T14:31:00.002-04:00

This is Will making a mess in my classroom before school. Today was Storybook Character Dress Up day. (This title is to encourage no bloody, scary costumes that would scare little ones). The adults dressed up though does scare them. I dressed as Winnie the Pooh. I put my costume on last night and Will screamed and ran away from me. It was really funny. It is an adult onesie costume that zips all the way up the front and has a big Pooh head. Will still didn't like it during the Halloween parade at school. He is just tooo cute as Kermie!

First Report Card

2009-10-19T19:04:00.002-04:00

Molly got her first Kindergarten report card today. We are so proud of how well she is doing and how much she has learned! She wanted some pictures with the front, inside and back of her report card....so here they are! We love you Molly and your smart brain!

Guess Who's Walking

2009-10-08T13:54:00.003-04:00

Please ignore my annoying voice! Will took his first steps today, without holding on to anything. This video is not the best. Of course, he didn't walk as much when I got out the video camera.

Photo Shoot

2009-10-07T09:15:00.004-04:00

The new big blog photo is courtesy of Darby Rose Photography. She did a great job with our family photos. We love them! She will travel and is very reasonably priced! Check out www.darbyrosephotography.com to see her work or to order pictures of our family right from her site. Thanks Darby!

2009-10-07T08:31:00.008-04:00

Will is standing steady these days. I know the walking will come soon. He is so controlled in his movements. He stands and sits so gracefully. I know if he would just take a step he would be off! I am not pushing it though. He loves to clap too. We had a fun night just watching him stand up and clap. He is funny. Anyone who knows me well, knows of my dislike of Halloween. I love fall and Harvest time and Thanksgiving. I have chosen to skip over Halloween and put up a Thanksgiving background!

Birthday Bash

2009-10-04T18:46:00.008-04:00

We had a great day on Saturday celebrating Will's birthday. We started the day with a small memorial service for my mom and aunt, whose cremains were buried with their parents at the historical cemetery here in Rome. They both have a final resting place. We are all thankful for the beautiful day to celebrate the lives of two great women and one great birthday boy!

We had a houseful of grandparents, aunts and friends. The weather was GORGEOUS!! I love the summer heat, but these last couple of weeks have been beautiful. God is good!

Will got lots to play with and some toys to ride. He is really starting to shuffle around from one piece of furniture to the next. He loves to push Molly around on the riding toys. He is into EVERYTHING!! Boys sure are different than girls. I am enjoying the crawling for now, I am not ready for a running toddler!

Happy 1st Birthday Will--we love you!!

He just looked around in amazement at everyone singing to him.

Sugar rush!
Everyone needs a diaper and bib only shot. Too much cake on the clothes!

Will riding with Bapa on his new Mega Blocks dump truck that makes lots of noise. Thanks Bapa!
Sunday morning lady rides with Granpa Moe!

Sweet family!

Will is 1!!!

2009-09-29T22:19:00.002-04:00

My how time flies! I can't believe at this time last year we welcomed our sweet Will into the world. A year has gone by fast, yet we can't remember life with only one child (much less our lives with no children! HaHa). We are so blessed to have two sweet children who are healthy and happy. As we were putting Will down to sleep tonight, Jeff said we just put our last one year old to bed. It is hard to know these milestones are the last for us to achieve, knowing Will is our second and last. We do look forward to the milestones to come though. Will and Molly love each other so much. She is such a big sister and brags on him all the time. They have such a great time playing together and I can picture them running circles in the backyard in a couple of years (or sooner--once Will learns to walk I will never sit down!) He is into everything and quick! His favorite thing is doors-of the pantry, the bedroom, the back door, the cabinet. He loves to feed Pawley dog dog bones. He is just a happy baby growing into a happy toddler. My camera batteries were dead this morning so I went old school with a camera with film. Hope to have some pics soon, after family birthday party this weekend. We recently went to Marietta to have some family pics taken by my step-sister Darby. She is a wonderful photographer and we can't wait to see them soon.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WILL!! WE LOVE YOU!!!

Molly is five...

2009-08-15T11:08:00.002-04:00

I can't believe it was five years ago yesterday I went into labor and our beautiful little girl Molly was born. It is hard sometimes to remember her as a baby, yet it seems like yesterday. August seems to turn into a month long birthday celebration trying to get in family visits with both of our birthdays. It is fun to share our birthdays so close to each other, and put my added years on the back burner and Molly's on the front!

It was a fun day yesterday. Jeff and I took cupcakes to her class at school (quick celebration when they have so much work to do--quite different from the preschool-but fun). She was excited to have a friend go to the local inflatables and out to dinner at her favorite local restaurant. The owner who is also a friend offered us some tickets to the local rodeo. Not something I would think of to attend on my own, but we thought we would be spontaneous and go. So outside of my box!!

When we got there the riders were on horses and the first guy we saw took a hard fall and was laying unconscious there right in front of us. A little scary to watch people come help him up. Other than that it was fun. I now want a cowboy hat and boots for Christmas. Jeff said, for the time in the next 33 years you decide to attend? I just laughed. It was a long day.

Jeff and the kids are off to the Atlanta Braves game today with my sister Catherine and her boyfriend. I am off to see Paul McCartney with 50,000 of my closest friends at Piedmont Park. I don't know that I could even name a Paul McCartney song other that a Beatles song, but I am excited to hang out with girlfriends and hear great music. I know it will be memorable.

This school thing...

2009-08-04T19:56:00.003-04:00

I don't know if Molly really understands this school thing. She got in the car today and asked if today was the last day. I said "of this week?" "No, today is Tuesday and you have Wed, Thurs, Fri." She thought and asked, "then I go again next week?" "Yes Molly you will go all school year until next summer." "Oh, good. I want to go for the rest of my life." I laughed on the inside all afternoon. I will remind her of this in a few years when school gets harder. It is hard to explain the abstract subject of time to a five year old who only understands the right here and right now!

She was more tired today, as evidenced by the melt down in the grocery store over strawberry applesauce. I can't wait to see what Friday brings!

First Day of School

2009-08-03T17:34:00.007-04:00

Molly's first comment when she got out of the car today "I loved it...I want to go back." Good Molly...only 179 more days to go HA! Second comment " I did not learn how to read today." We told her she would learn how to read in Kindergarten. I love her brain!!

Well, she survived! I knew she would. We survived too. I did not cry. We are so lucky to have such a wonderful school district to attend. The school where Molly is is only Pre-K through 2nd. Her teacher seems wonderful.

She then showed us the candy she got with her care cash. C.A.R.E. is the school wide behavior reward system. I have to keep questioning her about what she did. These are the random things she has said this afternoon... she slid her lunch tray down the line and had chocolate milk to drink, played on the playground, put her head down on her table for a little rest time, learned to walk on the second square away form the wall in the hall, hips and lips, colored a picture of her house, read the story Lilly wore a Red Dress and The Kissing Hand (sooo sweet!), went to see PE in the gym, took a tour of the room, saw the library (which she asked this morning when we took her in "do we get to go to the bookstore"...I think she meant the library); this will be an ongoing post I am sure.

It is so hard not to know what exactly she is doing in the classroom next to mine. But nice to give her some independence. We are so proud of her!

My guess for her this afternoon was that she would be exhausted. NO!! She is full of energy. Maybe by Friday she will be tired. Will, Mommy and Daddy sure are!

Summer's End

2009-07-31T15:21:00.002-04:00

I always have mixed feelings about the end of summer. I am looking forward to a new start at school, but will miss the lazy days. This year my baby girl turns 5 and goes to Kindergarten!! Will will be one in September! Where does the time go?

Molly is so excited about her new school and being in Kindergarten. We went to orientation last night and met her teacher and saw her classroom. She didn't want to leave. That made me feel like we have made the right choice. Her best friend had the same teacher last year and he came down to say hi with his mom, my good friend. He told Molly she would love Kindergarten. He later told his mom that Molly said "I have never been" in a tone like, duh. It was pretty cute. It will be a lot to learn! Library days, lunch line, more kids in the classroom, heavy academics, longer day, homework. I know she will do well though!

Until a few weeks ago plans were for her to continue in the half day Kindergarten preschool where I teach. Jeff and I have discussed it a lot lately and have decided she needs full day instruction. We did a lot of camps this summer where I worked and she attended. Will is out in the afternoon for a nap and Molly was struggling to stay entertained, and off of my nerves. I was afraid at first about what she would say about not going to the preschool with me, but she has taken it well. Ask us how we are on Monday morning!

Cousins

2009-07-31T10:51:00.004-04:00

Face painting at Shelter Cove.

Look at those cheeks!
Smiling baby Will...not so much a baby anymore.
Mary Clare and Will

We had a fun long weekend with our South Carolina cousins at Mimi and Bapa Moe's house in Hilton Head. They had a great time. Pool, beach, face painting, popsicles for breakfast, cookies for dinner...grandparents are great!

Sprinkler Diva

2009-06-19T14:39:00.003-04:00

Molly loves to swim and play in the sprinkler. I just busted out laughing (she did not like that) when she came out with this outfit!

Crawler!

2009-06-17T16:15:00.006-04:00

I love the crawling stage. It is fun to see how different kids learn to crawl. Molly was the reverse scooter. Will has gone from pulling army style to walking on all fours. It is fun. I love this age. They are still babies and will snuggle, but will play and crawl and entertain themselves. They babble a little, and don't talk back (a four year old going on teenager and sassy!) Will does new things everyday. I have gotten out the baby proof items (still in their package from Molly--she did not get into things). I now remember how dirty our hardwoods are with dog hair--I could (should) swiffer everyday. He gave up on baby food (or I did). He was spitting it all out, so ham and lima beans was his first table food and he hasn't slowed down. He loves to eat. Here are some crawling videos. One from the front, one from the rear.

End of the School Year and Beach Birthday Bash

2009-06-10T19:08:00.011-04:00

Molly waiting on awards day at school. This was also the end of the year program with a circus theme (the funny circus outfit).
Molly receiving her award--most lovable. What a perfect award for her!!
Will was part of the program too. His baby class was jack-in-the-box. They played the Pop Goes the Weasel song and the teachers lifted them out of giant boxes. It was really cute. Will was a zebra. Molly's class danced the Tooty Ta, a hilarious dance song!
Will chillin after his afternoon bottle.
Molly teaching Will his letters.
The little ones at dinner for Moe's birthday. Mary Clare is just precious!! We were so glad to spend time with her and McCanless (and their parents too.)
Even though they don't see each other very much, they are close and talk about each other all the time! They are getting so big!
Fiesta Time.
Hola Amigos!
The girls in their matching pjs. Poor Will--the only boy. He will love it next summer though!
Pool time.
He loved his first pool dip.
Shake it Mary Clare!!
Beach buds.

Granpa Moe insisted he needed Crocs to stick his fingers in the holes. He is not ready for shoes yet, but loves to chew on them.
I did not take enough Grandparent pictures this time. Sorry!
We had a great week at the beach. I LOVE the beach and I feel so refreshed and recharged whenever I go. The sun, the wind, the waves--love it!! The kids had fun. Will loved the pool and the beach sand. Molly did not like the beach as much as I thought at first, but when her cousin McCanless arrived, they had a ball. It was our granpa Moe's birthday too--so a house full of cousins made the week. Molly is quite the fish in the pool and even ventured into the ocean with her Moe and Mimi. Will loved the pool so much more than Molly did at this age.

Growing Boy

2009-05-17T19:26:00.005-04:00

Bapa came for a visit last week and we went to the jumping place to play, Molly's favorite! Will can join in soon!

He looks so grown up. Like a little boy!

Cutie Patutie!

Ballet Beauty

2009-05-17T18:18:00.010-04:00

Third from right.
Third from right

The end of the ballet season was Saturday. Molly was so excited to dance and was not too shy on stage. It has to be overwhelming to see all of those bright lights and all of those people. It is so fun to see all of the girls dancing. My favorite part of the show (other than Molly of course) was the first performance of a special needs class. It was so sweet to see the excitement on those girls' faces. One girl even danced in a wheelchair. It filled my heart with joy to see such joy and determination. What a way to start the show. Each class does two dances, one ballet and the other tap. This is the second show of the season and the first time around I was frustrated trying to video and watch and take pictures (Jeff had a game that day). This time I decided (and my camera's dead batteries decided for me) to just watch and enjoy. Sometimes I feel like I get caught up trying to capture the moment, I don't enjoy the moment like I should. So this time I just enjoyed. Jeff did the video and we got a few pictures. They were so cute dancing in their princess costumes and monkey costumes, dancing to "Hey,Hey We're The Monkeys", by The Monkees. The music for the whole performance was great!

Mother's Day

2009-05-09T21:19:00.004-04:00

Kids are down to sleep and I am contemplating our day tomorrow as a family. No real big plans for Mother's Day, it is nice just to be home and enjoy the kids. We are so blessed with two healthy, smart, loving kids. Everyday is mother's day as I watch them grow up before my eyes! It is a bittersweet day as I think of what my mother would think of the kids. I know she is watching over them and is smiling. I miss her so much and think of her often. Happy Mother's Day to moms who are hear on Earth and those who are blessing us from Heaven!

Random

2009-05-04T15:39:00.007-04:00

I was just looking through the camera and found pics that I forgot about. (Jeff's birthday was in mid April!)My blue eyed sweeties.

So sweet!

He must be full!
Happy Birthday Jeff!

The candles were hard to blow out this year. By the time I got to the table with the cake, my face was scorched. HeHe.

Hanging out while mommy showers. It is getting hard to just hop in the shower, he is getting mobile!

What you can't see is Molly making him laugh!

Asleep at dinner.

2009-05-01T10:12:00.003-04:00

Molly and Jeff went to the local golf course to play a few holes and Will loved riding in the cart. He is standing up by himself holding on to the steering wheel. Then he found the score card and ate it. He loved riding in the cart, feeling the wind. Molly played well--she really loves to play with her Daddy. Summer is here! Will slept until 9:00 the next morning. Guess what we will be doing several times a week! Golf cart rides!

Easter

2009-04-14T17:05:00.017-04:00

We had a fun time in Pinehurst. The cousins don't see each other very often, so they were full force all weekend. We attended an Easter party as Molly called it on Saturday and hunted eggs atGrama Pat's house. It was nice to remember her, while hunting eggs. She was smiling I know. The weekend picture sessions should have been videoed for America's Funnies Home Videos. The kids were so glad to see each other, they had no time for parents' request to sit still and smile. It was quite comical. Then you throw in a 6 month old and it is even funnier. I went a little crazy with the pictures, they were so cute! I can't figure out why the blogger wants to underline everything only in this spot--ugh!

At last, a family picture!

ADORABLE!!

That is the sweetest most pure love! It brings tears to my eyes! We are so blessed with 2 great kids.
ReeRee, Molly and Will pose in ReeRee's pretty yard.

Will and the Easter Bunny.
Molly and the bouncy house.
Always time for golf in Pinehurst.
Andrew is a natural talent (and his dad is a golf instructor!)
Cousins
Getting a little wiggly.
Getting ready for the hunt. Great eggs ReeRee.
Precious Sophia showing off her treasures.
Andrew is still hunting!

What great fun the cousins had this weekend!

Easter Bunny

2009-04-08T15:38:00.002-04:00

I was quite surprised about this picture. Most kids at some point are a little scared of the Easter Bunny. He is large and wears a fake head! Will however thought he was hilarious. I love the smile. His teacher at school said he looked right at the bunny and laughed and smiled. It is a picture of a picture-so not the best quality. I love it! Molly at this age was terrified to even go near the Easter Bunny.

Catching Up...

2009-04-04T13:17:00.011-04:00

Well, I haven't blogged in a while. I was sick from a virus and 103 fever for 6 or so days. My Aunt passed away here in Rome and our computer has been down with internet issues. I am back now and have some catching up to do! Will is already six months!

Will's introduction to teething biscuits. Why do we do this to ourselves? MESSY! CRUSTY! Always followed by a bath. He had fun chasing the gummy biscuit around the tray and even got some in his mouth.
Look at that smile. He is such a sweet baby and growing up too fast!
Look Ma, no hands!
Molly, Will and I went to the Creative Discovery Museum in Chattanooga last week during spring break. We went with Bapa and Betty. It was a messy rainy day, so perfect for indoor fun. Lots of hands on stuff and running around. We had a great time.

Will in the squish position, as usual when Molly has her hands on him. She is such a great big sister. She loves him so much and no one makes him smile like his sister!
Molly getting into the swing of things (golfing with dad). She loves her clubs and even went to golf class with Jeff during spring break.
My two guys!
Way back in February, Molly and Will and I went to Hilton Head during our Winter Break. We had a fun few hours at the beach. It was windy and cool, but fun to be there. Molly decorated the table for Valentines day dinner. She has really been into decorations lately. It was hard to see each other through all of the plants and 16 candles. We enjoyed our time with Moe and Mimi.

We had fun playing at Island Playground and eating a mexican dinner.
Will slept through most of his day at the beach!

Laughing Baby

2009-03-01T18:53:00.008-05:00

Well, it has been a while since I have posted anything. I was out for awhile with a virus and fever of 103 so we have not had much to post. I am feeling better and grabbed the video camera tonight while Will was cracking up at his sister. He lights up when she comes around, they just love each other. It is so fun to see and hear babies laugh, I love it!! Will is five months old today. Where does the time go? In five months we have seen a baby grow and another basketball season come to a close. Time goes too fast!

Well Baby Check-up

2009-02-04T19:32:00.005-05:00

Our well baby check-up was cancelled today because we went for a sick baby visit yesterday. Will has been congested and has had a low-grade fever. He feels better today, so well baby visit with shots is rescheduled. He did weigh in at 15lb 12oz. I was expecting bigger, but that is what you expect when your first is off the charts in weight!

More excitingly, I just watched Will roll over from his tummy to his back. He was very excited and so was I! He is growing fast and loves to eat. He is eating cereals and fruits and veggies. He loves green beans. Can't believe he is four months already. Where does the time go?

Congrats Coach!!

2009-01-31T18:51:00.002-05:00

Jeff got his 100th win tonight against Faulkner. I wish we all could have been there to congratulate him in person. We will celebrate tomorrow. What an accomplishment as a coach! We love you and are proud of you Jeff!!

Future Coach?

2009-01-29T19:35:00.005-05:00

Dec 28, 2008

Future Coach?
I found this in my blog drafts. I guess I forgot to post it. It is cute. Listen to the video carefully, she knows a lot about basketball! It is from right after Christmas. I often hear Molly playing in her playroom and hear her talking, but can't tell what she is saying. I wish to be a fly on the wall to here her conversations with herself.Tonight, I walked into our bedroom and she was drawing and talking (her two favorite things to do) and I stopped to listen. She was drawing up plays for her team! She was saying"you run down here and shoot the basket". I cracked up. Then she came to show me the "plays" she drew up! I took a video of her telling me about her paper. She even said she wants her players to drive down this line. She know more about basketball at four years old than I do at 32!! It really tells me we have to watch what we are saying---because she is listening! I had been napping earlier in the day and she was sitting at the kitchen table with Jeff while he was working on practice plans. She was asking him if his drawings were what he wanted the players to do. I think she may have a basketball mind...then she can teach me something!

Molly and the Big Girls

2009-01-27T15:09:00.005-05:00

Jeff and the women's coach took the teams to the Hawks game in Atlanta on Sunday and Molly went too. Jeff thought it would me some good father/daughter bonding. They rode a bus down and back and Jeff talked to Molly for about five minutes. She was in the back of the bus with the girls. She sat with the girls at the game and rode in the back with them back to Rome. I hope they realize what great role models they are to Molly and the women's coach's daughter Anna!

Just cute!

2009-01-25T11:23:00.000-05:00

I love this picture!

Ballet

2009-01-25T11:10:00.008-05:00

Molly with her flowers from Bapa and Betty after the performace. She looks so grown up. I have never pulled her hair back like this. It is usually short, but she looks so pretty, and like a young lady!! Where does the time go?

This is blurry, but Molly is on the left.

Putting on makeup in the car was her favorite part.

Molly's ballet company has two recitals each year. One is at the end of the year, and the other is in Jan. called Footsteps in Faith. This was Molly's first recital and she was very excited. Jeff had a game so he missed it but hopes to see her dance in the spring. I am not a photographer or videographer. I need lots of help in that area. I struggle with low light and not being able to use a flash (per recital rules). I was using the flip video (not good for far away) and the digital camera at the same time and got....nothing! Better luck in the spring.

Snow

2009-01-25T11:07:00.003-05:00

So really it was just some flurries, but when we never see snow we get really excited! Molly thought it was fun. It did not last long though.

BK

2009-01-13T15:40:00.002-05:00

In the times before kids (BK) I would often join Jeff on recruiting and scouting trips. We had some of our best talks in the car driving all around watching basketball. What great and easy times to jump in the car for a basketball date! (10 years now and I still don't know what a screen is!) Those trips decreased when Molly was born and even more so since Will was born. We went on Saturday though to Chattanooga to the aquarium and dinner at PF Chang's (my favorite restaurant) and then to Lee University to watch basketball. We had a great time wandering through the aquarium. Will even enjoyed the big tanks and fish. We all loved the penguins. It was fun to spend the day together, a rarity in the middle of basketball season. The trip was not as easy as it used to be without kids, but more full of memories. We are blessed with two sweet children!

Daddy's new pet

2009-01-13T15:32:00.003-05:00

Jeff went to New Orleans on New Year"s day to beat Loyola on Jan 3. Another great win! The team took a swamp tour. Here is his new pet!

The team had a good time on the train there and back and had a great win! Mom and kids enjoyed time at home to get ready for my retun to work after 3 months maternity leave!

Always Tell the Truth

2008-12-30T22:25:00.003-05:00

I guess we have taught Molly something good. To tell the truth. My sister and I were helping our aunt settle in after a fall at her assisted living facility, so Bapa (our dad) was watching the kids in the car. Molly watched a movie and Will (mostly) snoozed. Molly was reaching the end of her limit at this point in the day, and wanted to go in with us, so I bribed her with a movie rental if she would stay in the car with Bapa and behave. So I returned a little while later to the car and she said as soon as I opened the door, "can I rent a movie, I was only a little bad". I cracked up at this and she was upset with me for laughing, but she was so honest with her telling of herself. Will this last until she is a teenager?! Bapa said she kept turning the light on in the car and it was keeping Will awake. Bapa asked her to stop, but she kept it on, until he reminded her of the bribe of a movie. He said I am going to tell your mommy you weren't following directions, and she responded with "no, I will tell her first"--and she did. I love the honesty of a four year old!

Future Coach?

2008-12-28T19:02:00.008-05:00

I found this in my blog drafts. I guess I forgot to post it. It is cute. Listen to the video carefully, she knows a lot about basketball! It is from right after Christmas.

I often here Molly playing in her playroom and here her talking, but can't tell what she is saying. I wish to be a fly on the wall to here her conversations with herself.

Tonight, I walked into our bedroom and she was drawing and talking (her two favorite things to do) and I stopped to listen. She was drawing up plays for her team! She was saying"you run down here and shoot the basket". I cracked up. Then she came to show me the "plays" she drew up! I took a video of her telling me about her paper. She even said she wants her players to drive down this line. She know more about basketball at four years old than I do at 32!! It really tells me we have to watch what we are saying---because she is listening! I had been napping earlier in the day and she was sitting at the kitchen table with Jeff while he was working on practice plans. She was asking him if his drawings were what he wanted the players to do. I think she may have a basketball mind...then she can teach me something!

Flip Video

2008-12-27T10:18:00.003-05:00

Jeff got a Flip Video for Christmas from his mom. It is so fun and easy to use. Here is Molly trying to soothe fussy baby Will with a lullaby.

Christmas Day

2008-12-26T17:08:00.006-05:00

Molly got some Barbies and an Easy Bake Oven from Santa. The princess vanity is from Mimi and Moe. She loves the doll head to play with. She also got a Leapster video game from her gramma ReRe. She loves to color on it. I will have to encourage the letters and numbers part. We had a great day in our pajamas hanging out just the four of us, (five if you count Pawley who loves her new frisbee.)

Christmas Eve

2008-12-26T16:27:00.009-05:00

Bapa and Betty brought Molly a Santa cookie from a wonderful bakery in Atlanta, Henri's. We need to work on the posed smile!

Molly begins with the presents. Her first present was princess Christmas pjs and a robe and slippers.

Molly with her new Princess flashlight from Bapa and Betty.

Molly and Aunt Catherine. Catherine brought Molly a High School Musical beanbag and the movie.

Molly and Aunt Judy.

Not many times are we all together ready for a picture. It is usually me taking pictures of everyone else. Thanks for including Mommy!!

Cookie Time!

Feeding Santa's reindeer (oatmeal and glitter--to attract the reindeer).

Will is not sure about all of the excitement. He slept through opening of presents.

Jeff and I both agree that we can't wait till next year when Will is chasing his sister around through all of this. What a bond they have so far. We can see how Will's face lights up when Molly is around.

Molly saying goodnight to our Elf, Boingy. (Please watch video below!)

We had a great night Christmas Eve. We went to the candlelight service at First Baptist in Rome, it is always a great service. After the traditional songs and scripture readings, we sing Silent Night and everyone lights a candle. It is so touching and beautiful. I get teary every year. Will slept the whole service and Molly was great too. We ate dinner with Dad and Betty and Catherine and my Aunt Judy. Molly was running around wanting to make cookies and open presents and was very excited about everything. It was a nice night for all of us. Holidays are tricky now, with two families who have come together with their own kids and grand kids, but everything worked out and it was a great Christmas. Having kids makes it great!

This is so sad it is funny! I feel awful posting it, but I had to. We were saying good night to our Elf, Boingy and telling him bye for this year. We reminded Molly that he has to go back to the North Pole to be with Santa and rest from all of his watching. This discussion led to an hour of crying about Boingy and how she did not want him to leave. She went to bed just bawling for Boingy not to leave her. We comforted her as best we could, but then we laughed a lot. She really loves that Elf!

Nutcracker Ballet

2008-12-23T18:47:00.004-05:00

Molly and I went for a girls afternoon at the Nutcracker Ballet in Roswell, Ga. We went with Betty and her daughter Darby and grandaughter Sydney, and Betty's daughter in law Lindsey and her daughter Adeline. The girls were so good and patient during the 2 hour ballet! Molly loved it and wanted to call her dad afterwards and see if he watched it on tv. I was really surprised how quiet she was. It was a great performance. I was about six when I went with my dad and a few minutes into the performance asked "Dad, when are they going to start talking?" He just laughed, and he reminds me of that every year. We ate dinner with Dad and Betty afterwards with both families. It was a fun afternoon. Catherine kept Will-so she enjoyed her afternoon too! Thanks Cat!

Gingerbread Houses

2008-12-23T18:32:00.005-05:00

We went to our friend Anna's house to make gingerbread houses (from graham crackers--who can tell the difference?!). We had a good time, mostly eating candy. Thanks Michelle and Anna!

Christmas Carols

2008-12-23T18:29:00.006-05:00

We went Christmas Caroling at a local assisted living facility in Rome. The pre-k and kindergarten classes from the preschool went and took gifts to the residents. We then went to see santa at the mall and to ride the carousel. Molly was not into the singing. They were all a hit with the folks at the facility.

Personalized song lyrics

2008-12-09T20:03:00.004-05:00

Molly was in the mood today to sing some Christmas carols. (I think she sang some at school today in preparation for caroling at a local nursing home.) This is what I heard... "tap the halls and name them Molly, falalala la la la la". Otherwise known as "Deck the Halls". Too funny! I am hoping she will share some more lyrics soon!

Molly and I have the best talks on the way home from school. Last week it was a deep discussion on snow, and how she wants some snow for Christmas. I had to explain that we live in Georgia where it is very warm, and we don't get much snow here. She then cried hard for about 10 minutes and wanted to know where the snow was. I told her up north, and she insisted we drive there soon.
Today's discussion was about "her baby" she is having and whether it will be a boy or girl, and where it would sleep. I asked when she is having this baby and she said when she grows up. She then told me that the baby would be a girl and she could sleep in her trundle bed. I said but when you grow up and have a baby she won't live in this house with mommy and daddy, she will live in her own house. She then burst into tears and said she never wants to move and wants to live with mommy and daddy. This crying persisted for a few minutes. I just laughed at how I would remind her of this discussion when she decides it is time for her to move out on her own, and I will be the one crying!! That will be a fun conversation!

Breakfast With Santa

2008-12-06T11:05:00.004-05:00

The preschool does a Santa Breakfast every year that is so cute. You get to enjoy pancakes and sausage and make Christmas crafts and get your picture taken with Santa. It was fun this year to see Molly with her brother on Santa's lap. She is still quite shy though. We made a reindeer candy cane, bell necklace, reindeer food, wrote a letter to Santa and decorated a cookie. It sure beats standing in line at the mall to see Santa!