Catching Up... Christmas and Snow!!!!!

Christmas was great. Santa didn't go too overboard but could have cut back some. We had fun enjoying Santa gifts all day then we started over at Mom and Dad's with more food and gifts. Enjoy some pictures below.



New Years' was fine. Scott had to work New Year's Eve but was off New Year's Day so we spent some time together as a family.



Since then we've had 2 snow days. The first didn't really produce much snow but we bought a sled just in case. We didn't get to use it. Then this past Friday it started again. Originally they said the snow/ice would be here about 5 pm so I planned to leave work around 2:30 pm. It was about 3 pm when I finally got out of work and by then they said it is here NOW. It was a nighmare to get home. I was a nervous wreck. I called Scott (on speaker phone) to talk to me while I was driving because I got scared. I saw a mustang get sideways and when he finally stopped sliding he was turned around going the other direction but at least there was no wreck. When I got to a 4-way stop that started up a hill a truck (a bigger one not some small pickup) started up the hill sliding around like crazy so I turned down another street that was flat. I made it down that street w/o much sliding going about 10 MPH. I got the end of that street, turned into a strip mall where there aren't really any stores anymore and stopped. Scott came and got me in his SUV that has 4X4. Boy was driving my little honda vs riding in his a big difference. My nerves were completely shot by then but Scott got me home safely!!!

Today we went out in the snow and finally got to use the sled we bought!!! Our backyard had just enough slope to be great for a 4-year old. The first time she went down she said 'Again, Again, Again!!!!' We built 2 snowmen and threw snowballs at each other. Audrey made snow angels too. We pretty much did everything you are suppose to do when it snows!!! It was fun and completely tiring. Maybe more tomorrow. Enjoy some picture

Ready for Santa...

The presents are bought, wrapped and ready. The cookies have been made. Now we are off to eat our traditional Christmas Eve BBQ, then Santa is coming (we hope).

Things here are good. I'm off work until January 4th and have a lot of items on my to-do list before then.

A much longer post will be coming after Christmas but I thought you might enjoy a few pictures of Audrey making cookies for Santa and tasting them too!

Merry Christmas to all!

Thanksgiving, Birthday Parties, and Snow

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. My uncle Keith and my grandmother were able to join us from SC for Thanksgiving. Also my friend Paul joined us for dinner. We had great food and good company- what else could you ask for?

Mom and I did some major shopping on Black Friday. I sent Scott to Toys R Us at midnight for a few things and it took him an hour to just get into the store but he got all 3 things I sent him for. Mom and I went out at 4:30 am and shopped until after lunch. It was fun and we got a lot of things but neither of us finished our Christmas shopping.

Audrey had 2 birthday parties this past weekend. Savannah's was at Pump It up which the kids always love. Luke's was at the Chattanooga Zoo. We have never been to a party at the zoo and it was fun. They have a room to do food and presents in. Then they give the kids a tour of the zoo. Luke's parents then gave all the kids a ride on the carousel and the kids loved it. Luckily it was cool but not freezing cold as part of the zoo is outside.

On Saturday we woke up to snow. Audrey was at my SIL house for her 2nd sleep over so she got play in it w/ her cousins for a short time. She had fun.

We are just getting ready for Christmas now. We got the Elf on the Shelf "Jason" but he is not really keeping Audrey behavior in check- I think maybe the opposite effect is true for her. She's definitely been acting 4 lately.

Enjoy some pictures.

From this point forward

I just can't seem to find time to download pictures to update the blog with. I'm getting better and trying to get everything off my camera before the holidays arrive and I need more space.

There is no way to remember everything we've done since my last post. I attempted to take Audrey to Atlanta to see Dora Live that she has been asking about for weeks and we ended up leaving in the 1st 20 mins because she was so scared and threw a fit. Jamie and I did take the girls to see Disney on Ice -Finding Nemo recently and she did much better at that show.

She has had PJ day, crazy hair day and sports day at school. They had a costume parade for all the parents to enjoy the day before Halloween. She continues to take Ballet/Tap and do tumbling weekly.

Audrey is still in school at Primrose and doing well. She still doesn't like for me to leave her in the morning but is fine as soon as I walk out the door (or so I'm told!) She loves playing with the kids and learning her letters. We print traceables out at home for extra practice and she loves doing them. She has also really gotten into doing puzzles lately. I LOVED puzzles when I was little so I hope she continues to like them. We have bought several and after we help her once or twice she really enjoys taking them apart and putting them back together by herself. The ones w/ only 25 pieces or so are hard to find though.

We had a great Halloween weekend. We enjoyed a hay ride at Ansley's house, Clara's 3rd birthday party at Pump It Up, trick or treating w/ both my brother's and their families, and another birthday party for Jackson (from her school) at Pump It Up. 2 parties at Pump It Up in one weekend- you can believe she was tired.

Audrey is growing tall also. I was sitting on the couch the other day trying to brush her hair and I couldn't see over the top of her head. She has been playing soccer - when it is not raining that is. She has 2 makeup games left and she'll be done. We asked her if she wanted to play basketball again and she said (I was a little disappointed but maybe she'll come around). She really like baseball and everytime we talk about playing something she ask me to sign her up for baseball so that might be her sport.

We are all excited about the upcoming holidays. My mom gave Audrey the big toy book from the paper this past weekend and told her to circle what she wanted. She has been taking it very serious and trying to make a list and everything. It is cute.
I promise to try to update more often! Enjoy some recent pictures.

Growing Up is Hard to do...

Now I know some of you will find this silly but that's ok! As you know Audrey started at her new schools this week. She goes everyday from 7:15 am to 12:30 pm. I drop her off every morning on my way to work and Scott picks her up. Now we have been very blessed up to this point with Audrey. She had a wonderful nanny the 1st 14 months of her life (We LOVE you Jennifer!) and then Scott has been home with her since. She has been in mother's day out 2 times a week for a couple of years now but for some reason this is different for me.

She went right in on her first day with no problems. Scott and I both dropped her off and both picked her up that day. When we picked her up she started saying "I'm thirsty". I had a drink with so I gave it to her (it was about 1/4 full). She finished it off and was still complaining she was thirsty. I thought- I wonder why so I asked her if she had a drink at lunch- she said yes. I then asked her what it was - she said Milk. Well my child doesn't drink milk (strange I know because I love milk- although Scott won't drink it either). I was a little upset with myself for not thinking about this before school started. Until now I know these things were known and taken care of by Jennifer or Scott so I never worried about these types of things. So I called the school the next day and talked to the director. She was very nice and explained that they have to offer the milk (the whole balanced diet thing etc...) but they could give her water if she refused the milk. So on tuesday they gave her 2 cups of water. Well ever since then they have offered her the milk and even though she doesn't drink it they don't give her water either. Scott and I have told Audrey if she's thirsty to tell the teacher she would like some water but she is apparently not doing this. Now don't get me wrong- she is not dehydrated or anything, and doesn't even complain about it either, I mean she eats lunch at like 11:45 or 12 and Scott picks her up at 12:30 but.... I guess I am just spoiled to the point that I knew anything she needed would be taken care of the way I would like them to be and now that is not always true. I know she has to learn to speak up and ask for what she wants but it breaks my heart that she just won't do it yet. I haven't said anything else to the school because Scott and I think she has to learn somehow to start taking care of herself in these types of situations but it sure is hard!

Audrey did well at drop off on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday but by Thursday she was tired and cried when I left and cried today too. She is not used to getting up earlier (another point she and I have been spoiled on) and now I have to wake her up to dress her and take her to school. We are adjusting bedtimes and routines just a bit at our house in hopes of getting her a bit more sleep so she is not so tired by Thursday. She actually starts in the pre-K class next week. Everyone that I have spoken with love Ms. Ryan so we are excited to get Audrey started in her class. Audrey also has to start wearing a uniform to school next week in the pre-K class.

I'm sure this is not the end of the growing up that Audrey and I both have to do so I can only imagine how hard some of the decisions (bigger than milk) will be. Can't I just follow her around her whole life to make sure everything is ok?!

Scott on the other hand is getting to sleep in now which is nice since he works at night but he says it is very lonely at home w/o Audrey. He is so used to her being there that not having her for a just a couple of hours after he wakes up is something he is adjusting to.

Tonight we are visiting the zoo w/ the other preschoolers from our church. It is closed to just us and gives the kids a chance to meet their teachers as they promote to their new sunday school classes this Sunday. Pictures to come of that later.

Turning 4 and Starting School

Let's see where do we start. Audrey turned 4 on August 4th. Where does the time go? She had a fabulous day that started w/ lunch with her Mom and Dad. Then she picked out a horse at build-a-bear and a cute dress and shoes to go with it. Then there was the train ride through the mall. After naps we went to Pump It Up for her birthday parties. All the kids had a ball jumping on the inflatables, eating pizza, cake and opening gifts. She has fabulous friends and got some great gifts that she loves.

Today she started at her new preschool. She is now attending Primrose 5 days a week for 1/2 days. She gets there early and eats lunch with the kids then gets picked up around 12:30 pm. She had a great first day! She told my mom that she made 2 friends. The teacher and director said she was very quite during the day but we all know that will change. She actually starts in her preschool class w/ her regular teacher next week. This week she is getting to know the other kids in the class and they will all graduate to the pre-k class next week.

Audrey had her first "sleepover" a couple of weeks ago. She stayed overnight w/ my sister-in-law and nieces Clara and Carly. Jamie said she did great and she stayed all night and slept. She is already asking to go again! Audrey is getting a new bed soon (we ordered it) that is daybed so hopefully Clara will be ready for a sleepover soon- we'll see!

I'm busy making a honey-do list for Scott. Since I'll be dropping Audrey off at school everyday now Scott can sleep in a bit then work on some projects around the house for us! I'm very excited about that. I may finally get my bathroom painted.

Audrey enjoyed her summer ballet/tap class so we have registered her for the year now. She's still doing her tumble class too. She asked to play baseball again but the only fall baseball is for 5-6 year olds but everyone says it is more relaxed but I"m nervous about this so we'll decide on that this week.

What a busy month....

I am really trying hard to keep things updated but I just can't seem to do it. Since my last post a lot has happened.

As some of you know the air in our house went out for 2 weeks so Scott, Audrey and I lived at Mom and Dad's for 2 weeks. It was fixed 2 days before we left for vacation.

We went on our annual vacation. Mom and Dad rented a house (THANKS AGAIN MOM AND DAD) just one block from the ocean in Myrtle Beach. Everyone came- our family, Mom and Dad, both my brothers and their families. We also got to see my Mom's 2 sisters and some of their families as they visited w/ us a couple of days! It was a blast. Audrey liked the ocean but LOVED the pool. She had been taking swimming lessons right before we went and although she can't swim yet she was not afraid of the water. We did have one scare though- one night right before bed Scott and I were sitting at the pool letting Audrey play in the pool w/ her float on. She was getting out and jumping in and out and in - you get the picture. My parents come back from dinner and stopped by the pool to say hello. Audrey got out to talk to my parents and turn arounded and jumped in the pool W/O her float on. It took a few seconds before we realized she didn't come up and didn't have her float on (I'm sure it was only like 2 seconds but felt like an eternity). Scott jumped in fully clothed (shoes and socks and all) to pull her up. I must say though the swimming lessons paid off because she obviously held her breath because she never coughed once and was actually almost above water by herself before Scott got in. She was kicking towards the top very hard. It scared me to death. She was just so tired she forgot she didn't have her float on. While at the beach we visited a small carnival for the kids, had a great dinner at Joe's Crab Shack - the girls all loved the dancing. We did a little shopping but mostly just enjoyed a week of no work, the ocean and the pool. The drive wasn't too bad and surprisingly Audrey did great in the car. She and I drove 1/2 way on Friday night and the rest of the way Saturday morning. Scott flew over Saturday (he had to work Friday night) and actually beat us to Myrtle Beach and had to wait at the airport about an hour before we could pick him up. A few pictures below. We got professional pictures taken but I have to get them scanned and will try to do that soon. Although some of the pictures were just ok the photographer actually got some GREAT shots of Audrey that I hope to share soon.

When we got back Mom and Dad had only 7 days until the movers arrived to pack their house so needless to say we were very busy helping with this. I took off one day to pack the kitchen w/ my sister-in-law and we did it very fast. Then on Friday my dad had an incident at work that required him to have surgery on his arm so we spent all day on Friday (July 10th) in the Emergency Room and Surgery waiting room. Surgery went well and we were able to bring dad home that same friday. Because of the surgery he couldn't drive or pick up anything. He also was very tired and just wanted to rest a lot. So we did what we could to finish cleaning the old house. The movers packed the following Monday and loaded the truck Tuesday. Mom and Dad were suppose to close on their old and new house on Wed but there was a problem w/ the buyers part and it was postponed to Friday but on Friday, July 17th mom and Dad sold their house and bought a new one! The movers unloaded on Saturday and Mom and I unpacked boxed all day Saturday and a good portion of Sunday. The necessities are out so we are now slowly doing what had to be done to get the house in order. It will take a while but we'll get there and their new house is GREAT! It has an AWESOME screen porch that I love.

We are busy planning Audrey's birthday party at Pump It Up on her birthday of August 4th. I can't believe she will be 4. Seems like yesterday I was complaining that she was past her due date and really needed to come see us! She is turning into a little girl talking so much better. She is started to show interest in reading so we are excited for her to start Primrose in August. We think she will learn so much!

I guess that is all for now. Hopefully our lives are slowing down and I can update sooner.