School's Out for Summer!

Eleven months later, I am still finding reasons on a daily basis that I love our new neighborhood. On the last day of school for the big kids, our neighborhood organized for an ice cream truck to come and celebrate with all of the kids. Our cul-de-sac just happened to be party central. The bus stopped just at the top of our street, like it does every day, but this time ALL of the kids got off and ran down the hill towards our house. Some we knew, some we didn't...but I am sure that will change as time goes by. After ice cream was eaten, it was time to play with water guns, hoses, and Maysie's favorite, BUBBLES!

 

Lucky for me and Paul, our built in babysitter, Courtney, was there to play with Maysie.

 

Sweet Grace spent the day with us since her Mama and Daddy were at the hospital delivering #2 AND #3.

 

Happy kids, happy parents, happy everything!

 

Highs and Lows

Highs and lows is a "game" that I learned about years ago from my friend Deana. In the spirit of getting the little ones to share about their day, everyone gets to go around the table and share their high point of the day and low point of the day. I have learned that I will typically know what Railey's "high" is going to be but it is a great way to get the discussion going about her "lows." Although I try to reserve this blog for more kid related topics, I thought that it was important to share my highs and lows of this week. First off, my high. This past October, when we were at the Charleston festival, our friend Stephanie told us that she was going to the doctor because they suspected she had Hodgkins Lymphoma. Two young boys (one of whom she home schools...), a husband who travels for a living...it hit close to home. Unfortunately, the doctors were right and she started treatment immediately. This week, I received news that she is cancer free. Needless to say, my high of the week. Then, the low. This past December, I found out that a friend from Florida State was diagnosed with Stage Four small cell neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas. Although I didn't keep up with Phil after college, he was (and is) one of the good guys. The one who is always smiling and kind....the person that bad things should never happen to. Unfortunately, I received word that Phil is in his last days and hospice has been called in. I have been praying for peace for his entire family but have been consumed by the fact that he is about to leave two young boys behind....just younger than my girls. Many many prayers for both families. XXXOOO

Happy Birthday Maysie!

To celebrate Maysie's 2nd birthday, we invited some of our friends over for a pool party at our house. The weather was beautiful, the girls were happy and everyone had a blast!

Maysie got into full "party mode" and loved having all of our "Atlanta family" around to help celebrate. I even got a break since everyone else was playing with the birthday girl!

We decided to make things easy and served appetizers and pizza. Bailey found a great place to sit underneath the table....I think he ate more than anyone else!

After getting enough pool time, Maysie changed into her birthday tutu

Finally it was time for cupcakes and cookie cake! The cookie cake had an adorable mermaid on it...I need to get better about taking pictures!

All of the older kids were ready to help Maysie with the candles...

Happy 2nd Birthday to our sweet baby girl....we love you!

The Escape Artist

Well it turns out that Sara Mays is more like her big sister than we thought. Five days shy of her 2nd birthday and she has decided that she is ready for her big girl bed and will crawl out of her crib four, five, six plus times when we put her down for nap or bedtime. The problem is, Mommy and Daddy aren't quite ready for her to have that freedom. Lucky for me, Paul is very creative and after a lengthy discussion on what approach we should take, he came up with the perfect solution.... Step One: Put on a pair of Railey's pajama bottoms, mermaid style.

Step two: Put on a sleep sack, but make sure it is either on backwards or inside out since she figured out how to unzip it last month

And that is how its done folks!

Baby Lines!

Mary Heather made the long trip from out West for her surprise baby shower. Since she is holding out and isn't finding out that she is officially having a girl, we decided to assume and go with PINK!

Laura did an awesome job on the paper for the party!

 

   

When the mommy-to-be finally arrived, she tried to act surprised.  But we should have known that she would find out.  Thanks for playing along MHHL:)

Present Time!

  

We also had some little party guests!

Can't wait to meet little baby Lines in August!

Oh The Places You Will Go!!!

In the blink of an eye, five years have passed and Railey is graduating from preschool.

Five years of milestones, memories and TONS of smiles

In such a short amount of time, you have already made us so proud. We can't wait to see what life has in store for you.  Oh The Places You Will Go!

Railey and one of her favorites, Shelby, having fun and eating refreshments after the ceremony

Family pictures. I had to include even though my camera decided to act up...

After posting these pictures, I realized that I never blogged about our trip to the hospital. The day before her graduation, and ironically our nanny Linda's last day, Railey had a little accident. As she was playing, she got hit in the face with a swing, and it was bad. I looked out my window when I heard Railey's screams and saw Linda carrying her in to the house...blood everywhere. 5 hours, 3 Disney movies, 1 visit from the plastic surgeon and god knows how many stitches later, we finally were able to leave Scottish Rite, the children's hospital here in Atlanta. And minus the no swimming rule, Railey is taking everything in stride. And enjoying every bit of attention that her boo boo is getting:)

Pooltime!

The Crawford's came over to celebrate the beginning of pool season. Thank goodness the kids are tolerant of freezing cold water! Railey's crush on little Buie is still in full effect. He usually plays along...and even though he will never admit it, I think he likes the attention:)

               

Little Miss Maysie is finally starting to talk. She insists on doing everything that big sister does...including jumping into the pool. Her new favorite word is "no!" But she typically says it with a big smile on her face. Happy and opinionated. That seems to be a common theme with our girls.

   

  

Hello Summer!