Important Life Lesson

Today Ryan instructed Emily on a very important lesson for an Alabamian- how to peel and eat a crawfish.

Meltdown at Target.

I was just thinking to myself how much I had been enjoying Casey's company recently- she has been pleasant, funny, smiling, agreeable, and generally happy. I'm not really sure what happened, but she had a major tantrum at the checkout line at Target. It lasted until we got to the car, and I couldn't resist snapping a picture. Five minutes after this was taken, she was perfectly fine!

My view of ballet class.

Enough said. Can't believe we are already at day 51!!!! Feels like day 5.

Earring Models

From left, Emily, Isabella, and Ansley were gracious enough to be earring models yesterday afternoon, as I am helping my neighbor with a small ad campaign for her earring booth. This was an outtake, but shows how much fun the girls were having!

Playing together?

The question mark is because I really couldn't believe it- we found a game that interests an 8 year old, 5 year old, and soon-to-be 3 year old. (for a short time at least) They were playing marbles so nicely together on the driveway that I had to take a picture from Emily's window. Didn't last long, but now the moment is frozen in time to prove that they CAN get along!

Breaking the rules

I had such boring pictures from today compared to yesterday that I just HAD to post two more from the birthday party. I mean, birthdays are special and deserve 2 days of posting, right? Today we all crashed and did nothing- well, I did have to make a short speech about our experience with Children's Hospital in front of at least 1000 people at the Express Oil Change conference- but I couldn't take a picture of myself and it was just Emily and I so.... I won't do it often but here are two more from YESTERDAY!!

Happy Birthday, Anna!

I was so impressed with the interpretations of "fancy" that showed up at our house today for Anna's birthday party! The girls had so much fun decorating hats, cupcakes, and fingernails and having a dance party. Thanks to everyone who came! Who would every believe we could have a party outside on February 20th?

Heart to HeART Gala

We had a fun night dressing up and attending an event in which Emily's artwork that she created with another local artist was auctioned to benefit Ateam Ministries. I was so proud of all my girls and of Emily's artwork! Yes, she painted the ballerina!

The best part of living in Alabama?

One of the best parts of living in Alabama is getting a box of Appalachicola oysters for dirt cheap, firing up the grill, and having an oyster roast outside in the middle of February on a Friday evening with awesome neighbors. (and some old friends)

You Only Live Once.

I couldn't decide between these two pics today so I thought I'd post both. The first one is of Anna crossing the monkey bars all by herself for the first time- I guess she thinks she's pretty big now that she's turning 5 on Sunday, given she's learned to ride a bike and cross the monkey bars all in the same week. The second is the girls enjoying some yogurt at YOLO. (stands for you only live once) Casey has a new habit of getting a mustache consisting of whatever she is eating or drinking at the moment- she even manages to get a mustache when drinking out of a straw! How does that happen?

Our first baby.

We aren't the only ones that are enjoying the time outside- Wrigley has been keeping watch while the kids play. I can't believe one week ago it was snowing like crazy!

No training wheels!

Apparently Anna can ride a two-wheeler quite well. She's been practicing on the Skut- a bike with no pedals- so today I told her to get on the Barbie bike, and away she went! This week is Anna's birthday week. She will be 5 on Sunday!

Happy Valentine's Day!

While Emily was in ballet, I took the girls to the playground for some fun and nicely back-lit photo opportunities! These photos really show both of their personalities. Anna is a bit quiet and reserved, and Casey is ALL-OUT.

A day outside

Enjoying the warm weather! Spring is my favorite season (fall comes in a close second), with the promise of warm days, cool night, and blooming trees and flowers. Last year I watched spring arrive and turn to summer from the hospital room window. This year I am going to really appreciate it. I know it is only the middle of February, but the 10 day forecast shows no temps below 60!

A Day Late

Sometimes, I just simply don't have time! I took the picture, but didn't have time to edit/post it. So here it is! Emily, Elizabeth, and Isabella were able to participate in a fun Art Workshop at the studio of artist Tres Taylor. He has a beautiful installation up right now- the girls are standing in front of it. They painted animals on tar paper that will be hung from large tree branches to form a mobile. Tres and his wife, Helene, are really fun people and offer lots of fun things at their studio. Get on their email list to get updates!

One event leads to another....

Busy morning... get kids to school, head to store for Valentine Party supplies, MOMS group,Valentine Party, pick kids up from school, naps (for them, not me!), edit photos, wait for Ryan to get home(without losing my temper with the cranky kids)... then- a yummy meal with a MARGARITA!! Happy Friday!

Snow!

We got the best snow you can get- beautiful, white, and fluffy but none on the roads. The schools were delayed 2 hours so we took the opportunity to play outside briefly, then sip some hot chocolate (with bad hat hair!!) before heading out the door for school. My kids are definitely Floridians still- all they know what to do is grab the snow and throw it up in the air, as you can see Casey doing. I admit, the snow was way too powdery for a snowman. We tried! Now on to spring.... temps in the 60's all next week!

Storytime

Today we went to storytime at the library- we have such a great lady that tells the stories. Casey loves it. Today, we met some friends there and the little girl with the curls was thoughtful enough to bring a tiara for Casey, too!

A Cinderella Story

Today, Emily's class and the rest of the second grade at her school had a FAIRY TALE BALL. First, they listened to some stories from a local librarian, then they got to dance! Can you guess who Emily was? She had to tell the story of the original Little Red Riding Hood in front of her entire class. I am very proud of her because she did a great job!

Random

This is what happens when you've got a cold, rainy day (yet again) and lots of leftover medical supplies laying around the house. At least they weren't trying to give each other shots. I could go for a shot right about now- but not the needle kind! ; ) By the way, I can't wait til spring because it's really hard to take indoor pictures day after day with terrible lighting and limited subject matter because it's so yucky outside! Are you tired of me complaining about the weather yet?

SUPER girls

Does this look like a Super Bowl party to you? Where are all the boys? From left- Kathryn, Emily, Anna, Ansley, Kathryn, Ann Rilee, Casey, Daisy, and Elizabeth in front.

Adding some color to our GRAY days

What better way to fill a cold Saturday morning than to paint bright pictures of flowers and colorful snowflakes?

BFF's

Casey and Daisy... trouble x 2. Thirteen years from now (when they are 16 and almost 16) we are going to WISH that this is what they were doing on a Friday night at 8pm- snuggling on a chair watching Caillou.

Icy day AGAIN

What's better on an early-release, cold, icy day than warm gooey brownies that you have to eat with a spoon with a friend?

Time out

Remember the pink ballet outfit that Casey was wearing two days ago? Well, she decided she wanted me to put it on her as I was busy cooking dinner. I told her she could put it on after bathtime, but she wasn't enthusiastic about that option. She was, however, enthusiastic about throwing a tantrum. Hence, she was sent to "the stairs".

Celebrating Tuesday

Today is the first Tuesday that we didn't have to be at Children's when we normally would for Emily's treatment. So, I celebrated by dropping the girls off at school and heading to Panera by myself for a coffee and cinnamon crunch bagel with honey walnut cream cheese. YUM. It's the little things...