Making a Joyful Noise!

Caroline's class put on their spring musical recently and we had a great time cheering her on and hearing all of their cacophonous singing! This is one group of children that really knows how to make a joyful and very loud noise! It was really good and we were proud. Caroline looked so grown up. I couldn't stop staring at her and marveling at how beautiful she is. I know every mother thinks her children are beautiful, but I look at her and it just takes my breath away sometimes. She's just so amazingly beautiful on the inside and out. I digress. After the musical, we got an opportunity to walk through the "art gallery" which was lined with a great array of artwork Caroline and her classmates have been working on throughout the year. Special night. Special girl.

"Those who wish to sing always find a song."  ~ Proverb

First Sprinkler of the Season

One of my favorite times of the year is the first day that's warm enough to justify turning on the sprinklers and splashing around a little. Now that I have children, there's always a perfect excuse to frolic! Sunday was particularly warm and we decided to let the girls try it out. Caroline and Emily put on their bathing suits and, of course, we had to invite "nay-vor" Madison over, as well. The girls had so much fun running and wearing themselves out. Emily even got in on the action a little bit. I know we should get a real sprinkler, but the underground ones work just fine! Good memories... and hopefully the beginning of summer! Yahoo!!!!

"My favorite weather is bird-chirping weather."  ~Terri Guillemets

Glamour Girls

You can always tell when something funny is going on at my house... because it gets eerily quiet... and that is just what happened one day over Spring Break. Trav and I were each working around the house on different things and the girls were playing so well together - it's great now that Emily is big enough to keep up somewhat with whatever Caroline is doing. They have the best time together. I noticed that they were a little too quiet so I walked into our room and looked in our closet. Caroline had taken out her "makeup bag" and was giving Emily a makeover - complete with scarf and accessories! Emily was perfectly fine with it and it was just about the cutest thing I have ever seen. Travis walked in and started to get the tiniest bit angry, but I explained to him that this is how little girls play! It was so sweet and a definite photo op!

"There's nothing like playing dress up with your best friend."

~ Author Unknown

Pied for a Cause

My school raises money for Relay for Life every year and our entire community gets involved - it really is inspirational to watch the kids pull together to make a difference. This year to reward the kids who raised the most money, we decided to have teachers volunteer to get pied in the face at a special pep rally. I volunteered - it was a great cause and I've never had a pie smashed all over my face.. and down my neck... and in my hair... and on my shoes... but I HAVE NOW! My little 1st grade sweetheart, Kayla, selected me as her favorite teacher, so I took one for the team. It was all in good fun and I would do it all over again to support and encourage these brave little ones who work so hard to help those touched by cancer. Way to go, kiddos!!!

"I will take a pie in the face any time for a worthy cause."

~ Cheryl Richardson

Savannah in Springtime

We had another wonderful Spring Break in Savannah a couple of weeks ago. Just like last year, we stayed in the Hilliard's place in Thunderbolt - the "Treehouse." Of course, we were treated very hospitably and love it every bit as much as the Four Seasons! We spent three days sunning, exploring, relaxing, and visiting our favorite haunts. Caroline took her first trip to Fort Pulaski and loved every bit of it. She is such a little history buff like her Mommy. We all enjoyed the beach - the weather was absolutely perfect - and Emily has officially proven she has zero fear of water, which kind of freaks me out. We had no real plan or agenda - the only item to be checked off was to enjoy our time together as a family - which we all did!

 "A vacation is having nothing to do and all day to do it in."

~ Robert Orben

 

Tea for Two and Two for Tea

Caroline's school hosted a Mother's Tea recently and I was so excited to be able to take a couple of hours away from work and be her honored guest. My baby girl is growing up so beautifully and with such gusto. I am just incredibly proud of her. God sure does know how to match up children with parents.

"Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother." ~ Lin Yutang

One Man's Junk is this Woman's Treasure

There's this little roadside junk shop near the entrance to our subdivision. For almost four years I have driven by it almost daily and always been a little intrigued... what's inside, what's that, ooohhh, I wonder how much they want for that... so many questions, so much junk, so much shopping ecstasy!! So, a couple of weeks ago, I drove past with Emily and saw a set of four completely broken down wicker rocking chairs... and I fellll innnnn looovvveeee! They are so beautiful! I've always loved wicker because it reminds me of my sweet Grandmother. I inherited a set of my Grandmother's wicker furniture after my Daddy passed away in 2002, but, in my sadness and haste, sold it in an estate sale. (Word to the wise: never take irreversible action while in the throes of bereavement!) I've yearned for a set of wicker since then - but I don't want the new resin-type wicker - I want real, old wicker. I had to pull over and inquire about these chairs. They were in bad shape, and one of them I'm pretty sure is not salvageable... but the other three! They are beautiful. Solidly constructed, large-scaled, very imposing! I made up my mind I had to have them and bargained my way to $40 for the entire set! Caroline and I have already repaired and refurbished one of them. She's such a helper. The other two will have to wait, but at least we've finished one!

"I collect antiques. Why? Because they're beautiful." ~ Broderick Crawford

Happy Blog-aversary to Me!!!

It's been one year since I began our blog. For several years I had tossed around the idea of documenting our family's ins and outs with a blog, but I had never actually taken the initiative to bring it to fruition. Then, when I finally "took the plunge," I had no idea how it would turn out. I have to say that I am proud of my work and efforts. Even though it's time consuming, can be frustrating, and sometimes I go entirely too long between posts, I have to give myself kudos for bringing it as far as I have. It's so neat to go back and re-read posts that are months old. So many of the "little moments" would have been lost to memory had I not posted them here. So, happy birthday, Three Belles and a Beau! May you have many, many more!!

"The most essential factor is persistence - the determination never to allow your energy or enthusiasm to be dampened by the discouragement that must inevitably come." 

~ James Whitcomb Riley